Transcript Highlights:

• First, have any universities expressed a desire to end the set-aside programs?
• of this larger program, really started as. part of the tuition deregulation.
• That program does still exist.
• So the Pell Grant program being the largest of the federal programs, the SEOG is a small smaller program
• . programs.

Bills: HB3032 , HB3434 , HB3574 , HB5339 , HB5646

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: nursing education, clinical sites, health facilities, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, legislative study, healthcare training, tuition, financial assistance, higher education, public institutions, student support, nonresident students, Texas Education Code, resident tuition, scholarships, regenerative agriculture, grants, sustainable farming, soil health, bioremediation

Transcript Highlights:

• undermines the key to the whole program: incentive to behave and incentive to engage in programming.
• undermines the key to the whole program: incentive to behave and incentive to engage in programming.
• </c><00:19:16.080><c> up</c> commissioner Schnell is is a program up commissioner Schnell is is a program
• </c> representative Whitty uh the program representative Whitty uh the program that<00:19:23.760><c>
• </c><00:20:17.720><c> so</c> they want to stay on that program so they want to stay on that program so

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> should be able to look down the program should be able to look down the program line<00:03:27.959
• </c><01:01:46.680><c> so</c> support Head Start uh uh programs so support Head Start uh uh programs so
• </c> close just similar to other programs close just similar to other programs it's<01:03:31.319><c>
• I don’t know if there are other programs like that as well. To Mr.
• I appreciate you mentioning the apprenticeship, special education programming.

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• On an already successful program. Thank you, Madam Chair, and that is the bill.
• Not to confuse what we're doing with any federally funded program.
• Just to go back to the existing workforce programs that are part of degree programs, you know, there's
• It's not a new program for the employees, but for the students themselves who are in, say, a degree program
• So, I went to the university and created an internship program.

Transcript Highlights:

• The final P code for this agency is their program support. That'll be on page 6.
• I don't have any additional comments on that program.
• Most of our programs are in our field offices.
• and the program staff.
• as PPD programs, and they weren't made to pay a fine or a fee.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• federal program that is 100% bipartisan federal program that is 100% federally<00:19:00.080><c> funded
• </c> um, has a refugee resettlement program. um, has a refugee resettlement program.
• Now we're implementing the program.
• Now we're implementing the program.
• Um, so that is really page two, line 23 onward. program. It also suspends the existing program.

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Center Programs is receiving $5 million. Center Programs is receiving $5 million.
• </c><00:23:58.960><c> and</c> Meg Krueger, and I'm the programs and Meg Krueger, and I'm the programs
• My name is Brian Rice. programs that center Minnesota's programs that center Minnesota's history,<00:
• ,</c> a bipartisan because in the program, a bipartisan because in the program, people<00:26:28.880><
• We would also have to programs.

Bills: HF2563

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Keywords: HF2563, legacy finance bill, Legacy Amendment, outdoor heritage fund, clean water fund, parks and trails fund, arts and cultural heritage fund, Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, Clean Water Council, Minnesota legacy funds, habitat conservation, prairie restoration, wetland restoration, forest conservation, riparian buffers, water quality, groundwater protection, drinking water, septic systems, watershed planning

Transcript Highlights:

• For first-gen students, early academic outreach programs and educational opportunity programs are critical
• Brown student in one of these programs, or if you don't work in these programs, if you don't know anything
• And how do these programs support our rural communities?
• I'm the policy and program manager for Milpa.
• And as you guys had mentioned also here with youth programs, I am 100% behind youth programs.

Summary: The Select Committee on the Status of Boys and Men of Color held its second hearing, focused on cradle-to-college-and-career pipelines and education. Members opened with remarks emphasizing bipartisan support, the need to address opportunity gaps, and the committee’s prior hearing in Los Angeles, which helped generate legislation. The chair framed the day around school safety and discipline, community schools, and college/career pathways, and noted that public comment would be included at the end. In the first panel, witnesses described persistent disparities in school discipline and policing, even as suspension rates have declined statewide. Dr. David Turner cited reductions in suspensions tied to reforms such as bans on willful defiance suspensions, but warned that Black and Native boys remain disproportionately suspended and that “ghost suspensions” and police referrals still push students out of class. Other advocates called for stronger accountability, more restorative and culturally rooted practices, and greater investment in community-based supports. Members asked about the role of state and local policy, rural versus urban differences, and how to measure which interventions work best. The second panel centered on community schools. Advocates from Californians for Justice, Reclaim Our Schools LA, MILE, and the Sierra Health Foundation argued for the governor’s proposed $1 billion ongoing investment in the California Community Schools Partnership Act. They said community schools improve attendance, reduce suspensions, strengthen belonging, and create shared decision-making with families and students. Panelists described the role of community school coordinators, the importance of authentic partnerships, and the need to track informal discipline practices. Committee members pressed for a plain explanation of community schools and heard that the model is intended to be a high-return equity strategy that can save the state money over time. The final panel addressed college and career pathways. Speakers from the California Faculty Association, UC Student Association, Brotherhood Crusade, A Men, and Improve Your Tomorrow highlighted barriers facing Black, Latino, Native, and other boys and men of color in higher education, including financial aid gaps, weak transfer pathways, underinvestment in student support, and low campus belonging. They urged continued funding for community schools, expanded dual enrollment and ELOP access, and support for mentorship and culturally responsive programs. Public commenters echoed support for community schools and youth investment, including calls to redirect prison spending toward education and prevention. The chair closed by thanking the panelists, reflecting on his own school struggles and the role of mentorship, and adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a program for retired seniors.
• It's a program for retired seniors.
• I don't know anything about this program.
• It amends an existing program for evaluations for the Arkansas Aware program for mental health awareness
• It amends an existing program for evaluations for the Arkansas Aware program for mental health awareness

Committee: All JBC-PEER REVIEW

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And New Mexico is also one of those leading states with a very strong 4-H program.
• Susie Cole. ...who is a sponsor of the 4-H program over in Hidalgo.
• I know the importance of the leadership programs, Mr.
• Know that we as adults—some of us were in the program.
• And through that program, he was eligible to attend. of NMSU College Assistance Migrant Program, and

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we need those organizations to be able to respond quickly to high-demand programs.
• We had more students who qualified than we could allow to take advantage of that program.
• But what are the outcomes that these various programs are delivering?
• And I think some of the programs are a little more straightforward.
• This has resulted in fewer academic programs, fewer class offerings, and larger class sizes.

Bills: SB6251 , SB6259 , SB6325 , SB5978 , SB6209 , SB6217 , SB6227 , SB6235

Committee: Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development

Keywords: medical school, medical education, letter grades, grading system, pass/fail, tiered grading, student assessment, curriculum, University of Washington, Washington State University, School of Medicine, physician training, academic standards, coursework evaluation, RCW 28B, SB 6259, Washington, state financial aid, higher education, public college

Transcript Highlights:

• Included in this range of programs is our adoption of the construction sales tax deferral program, which
• Included in this range of programs is our adoption of the construction sales tax deferral program, which
• , the Covenant Home Ownership Program, or Housing Finance Commission programs.
• “And we’ve kind of expanded and changed this program over time.
• There's been a federal program called HAF, which ended in June.

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee heard public testimony on several bills. SB 5885 would expand affordable housing on property owned by religious organizations by lowering the density-bonus affordability threshold from 100% to 50% and adding a sales and use tax exemption for qualifying projects. The sponsor and supporters from Redmond, Tacoma, Spokane, faith organizations, and housing nonprofits said the current standard is too restrictive and that churches and other faith groups have underused land that could help meet the state’s housing shortage. A county planning representative raised concern about an unfunded mandate to update local development regulations, and one testifier said the bill should be paired with funding for county planning work. The committee also heard SB 5884, which would expand a sales and use tax deferral program for redevelopment of underutilized property. The bill would broaden eligible land beyond surface parking lots to include vacant, partially used, or underutilized parcels, and would allow cities to approve projects with at least 50% affordable units, or 20% in designated residential targeted areas. Supporters from Spokane, Vancouver, Kent, Bellingham, and the Washington State Association of Counties said the current program is too narrow and should be available in more places, including counties and more cities. Construction industry groups supported redevelopment but objected to a provision tying eligibility to apprenticeship utilization, saying it could disadvantage nonunion contractors and create compliance burdens. For SB 5937, the committee heard testimony on smart access systems in rental housing. The bill would require landlords, upon request, to offer a non-biometric, non-app-based alternative key and to provide privacy policies and limits on data collection for smart access systems. Tenant advocates supported the bill as a privacy and access protection, citing concerns about app-based locks, data tracking, lockouts, and retaliation. Landlord and multifamily housing groups said they were open to the concept but argued the bill was too broad and could impose burdens on small housing providers or simple keypad systems, and they asked for narrower definitions and clearer implementation language. Finally, the committee took testimony on SB 5938, which would make technical changes to the foreclosure prevention fee created last year, including exempting certain reverse mortgages and chattel loans, preventing duplicate charges on some state-backed transactions, and directing Commerce to study a possible state homeowner assistance fund. Homeownership counselors, legal aid, HOA advocates, and equity organizations supported the bill, saying it would clarify fee collection, protect low- and moderate-income buyers from unnecessary costs, and help sustain foreclosure prevention services. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the transcript, and the meeting ended after public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> correct so there are various programs correct so there are various programs that<00:57:30.119><c
• </c> yeah they are collection of programs yeah they are collection of programs such<00:57:42.559><c>
• </c><01:03:51.319><c> and</c> say that we have large programs and say that we have large programs and
• This program is called the Grant-in-Aid program.
• We also have program support.

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The program is succeeding to grow as well going forward.
• If we don't, it shouldn't be a state program that's paying for this.
• So the program fundamentally is an incentive program, as we've all talked about.
• And then the modalities part of it is, you know, looking at the programs.
• The federal programs at stake exist for students like us.

Summary: The committee heard AB 1159, which would expand and modernize student data privacy protections, extend similar protections to higher education students, and create limited enforcement mechanisms. The author and supporters argued that ed tech now collects far more sensitive information than students and families realize, including health, location, and identity-related data, and said the bill is needed to address AI, subpoenas, data theft, and misuse. Some higher education and bookstore interests raised concerns about definitions and preserving ordinary student communications, but committee members generally supported the bill and emphasized protecting sensitive information; the bill was moved on a due pass motion to the Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies and Consumer Protection Committee and placed on call. The committee also heard AB 1171, which would protect and stabilize the Part-Time Community College Faculty Health Insurance Program by keeping funds dedicated to that purpose and requiring districts to begin negotiations by 2030. The author and supporters said part-time faculty often lack employer-sponsored coverage despite teaching most community college courses, while opponents from the Community College League and administrators argued the measure was premature because participation is growing and the Legislature should retain budget flexibility. Several senators discussed the tension between budget discretion and honoring the state’s commitment to faculty health care; the bill was moved on a due pass motion to Senate Appropriations and placed on call. AB 1581 followed, proposing changes to improve identification and reporting of Native American students in CalPADS through tribal affiliation data. Supporters said current systems severely undercount Native students and that better data would improve resources and accountability, while members raised implementation questions about multi-tribal identities and consultation with tribes. The bill was moved to Appropriations and placed on call. The committee then heard AB 1665, requiring mental health training for school sports coaches. The author and a psychiatrist witness said coaches are trusted adults who already receive training on physical safety and should also be trained to recognize mental health warning signs and connect students to help. Support came from school, health, and sports organizations, with no opposition, and the bill was moved to Appropriations and placed on call. Finally, AB 1766 was heard, expanding human trafficking prevention education from grades 7-12 to K-12 and adding content on online exploitation, grooming, and digital abuse. The author, a survivor witness, and a foundation representative described the need for earlier, age-appropriate prevention education and stronger staff awareness; supporters included educators, school districts, and industry groups, with no opposition. Senators praised the testimony and the bill’s focus on prevention, and a motion was made to move it forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• What protections exist for people in these programs?
• and invest in particular aspects of that program.
• and invest in particular aspects of that program.
• and invest in particular aspects of that program.
• For the Medi-Cal program, yes. For the Medi-Cal program in California. Correct.

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now I will go on to our construction program.
• The industry does support apprentice programs.
• years did not program that either.
• These are annual road fund program.
• These are annual road fund program.

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The committee heard a District 5 New Mexico Department of Transportation presentation from Rhonda Lopez, who reviewed the district’s FY26 budget, staffing vacancies, and the status of special appropriations from 2020 through 2025. She described numerous completed and ongoing projects across the district, including roadway overlays, bridge work, intersection improvements, ADA upgrades, and maintenance projects, and also summarized STIP, TPF, LGRF, and equipment needs. Members asked about a guardrail issue near U.S. 64 in Hogback, the 5% local match for TPF projects, and the status of the New Mexico 371/U.S. 36 intersection funding agreement with the Navajo Nation; DOT said the match is secured or waived where applicable and that the Navajo agreement is nearly finalized. The committee then heard House Bill 270, which would amend the Public Works Apprentice Training Act to require contributions to apprenticeship and training programs for certain public works contracts, including highway-related work, while creating an exception where no approved apprenticeship program exists for a trade classification. The sponsor said the bill was intended to strengthen workforce development and support apprenticeship training. Contractors and asphalt industry representatives opposed the bill, arguing it would raise road project costs and duplicate existing training contributions. A motion to table failed on a tie, and a later motion to pass also failed on a tie, leaving the bill in committee. Next, the committee heard House Bill 322, which would create a transportation trust fund and transportation program fund, dedicate additional revenue sources including a portion of electricity GRT and motor vehicle excise tax, and begin annual distributions for federal matching funds in 2029. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would help address a multi-billion-dollar road funding gap, improve maintenance, and provide a stable source for matching federal dollars. Some members raised concerns about the electricity tax component, its effect on utility bills, and overlap with recently enacted transportation financing measures; others supported the concept but questioned timing and funding priorities. A motion on the bill resulted in a tie and failed, leaving the bill in committee. The meeting concluded with a District 4 NMDOT legislative presentation. The district outlined its geography, budget, staffing vacancy rate, completed special appropriations, active construction and maintenance projects, wildfire-related recovery work, local government funding allocations, and equipment replacement needs. Members asked about school district uses of local funding and the impact of aging equipment and weather on maintenance costs. The presentation ended without any formal action on District 4 items, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• How do you attract people to a program besides good training?
• This program is not designed for those folks.
• This program just hit me sitting here. That's why I spoke up.
• This program just hit me sitting here. That's why I spoke up.
• This program just hit me sitting here. That's why I spoke up.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 455, a local bill for the City of Lake Wales that would allow open containers in a downtown arts district. The sponsor said the city had invested heavily in the area and wanted to support business growth. An amendment clarified that the allowance was intended for cups, not bottles taken from restaurants, and the bill was then adopted favorably without opposition. Members then heard HB 1049 on building permit requirements, which would remove permits for certain work under $7,500 and for battery or backup power systems, while also preempting local governments from adding extra permitting rules. Two amendments were adopted: one clarifying modular homes on RV lots, and another addressing contractor “splitting” of projects to avoid the threshold and requiring five years of record retention. County and local-government groups raised concerns about inspections and permitting, while several business and advocacy groups supported the bill. It passed favorably. HB 1175, dealing with safety design standards for office surgery suites, was presented as a measure directing the Florida Building Commission and State Fire Marshal to establish new standards to improve safety and efficiency. There was no amendment or public testimony, and it passed favorably. The committee then spent extensive time on HB 221, which would let workers waive the state minimum wage for certain work-based learning, internship, or pre-apprenticeship positions for up to nine months, later narrowed by amendment to 252 days, or 126 days for minors with parental consent, and defining the program as structured learning. Supporters framed it as a way to expand apprenticeships and help small businesses offer training opportunities; opponents argued it would create free or subminimum labor, invite abuse and coercion, and raise constitutional concerns. Despite strong opposition testimony from labor, civil rights, and policy groups, the bill passed favorably after debate. The committee also heard HB 4035, a Palm Beach County local bill requiring applicants for a certificate of competency to pass the licensing exam before applying to the Construction Industry Licensing Board. The sponsor said it would streamline and modernize the process, and members discussed it briefly in support. The transcript ends before the final action on that bill is fully shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• . content and programs.
• on commuting for these programs. Mr.
• program in your school?
• Does anybody have a program like that? Mr.
• And so we're also looking at braiding the programs that already exist.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But also be a program that a land grant could use.
• The wood grant programs.
• It seems that the Traditional Cultures Program is part of the larger scope of the State Forestry Programs
• Forestry Programs for Land Grants.
• Chair, the presentation that has the slides that say state forestry programs land grants is programs

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

Transcript Highlights:

• And I want to touch... ...for beaches, tourism promotion, and cultural programs in Miami-Dade County.
• and plans that we are trying to put in place have value. ...them that the programs and plans that we
• In regards to tax credit programs that can be applied against various taxes, it creates the Home Away
• Program.
• EDR wrote that the program does not recover any portion of the state's investment.

Committee: Senate Finance and Tax

Summary: The Finance and Tax Committee met and first heard SB 674, which would allow county property appraisers, like tax collectors already can, to budget for and pay hiring or retention bonuses if approved in their Department of Revenue budget. Support came from property appraiser representatives, who said the bill would help them compete for specialized staff without requiring new funding. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered SJR 318, a proposed constitutional amendment on tangible personal property used on agricultural land, along with an amendment clarifying the exemption’s scope and allowing the Legislature to set conditions by general law. Farm Bureau and the Florida Chamber supported the measure, and the committee adopted the amendment and reported the joint resolution favorably. Members also took up CS for SB 1664, which would require voter reapproval of local discretionary taxes when they expire; an amendment changed the bill to require expiration dates and tied reapproval to tax expiration rather than a fixed eight-year cycle. Local government and tourism groups raised concerns about impacts on tourist development taxes, transportation surtaxes, beaches funding, and long-term financing, while supporters argued voters should periodically affirm local taxes. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. Next, the committee considered SJR 1510 and its implementing bill SB 1512, both dealing with a homestead-style property tax benefit for certain long-term leased residential properties. After multiple amendments narrowed the proposal substantially, limiting it to one qualifying property and then to single-family homes, mobile homes, and condominium units, counties and cities still opposed the measures as a tax shift to other taxpayers. The sponsor said the changes reduced the scope and fiscal impact, and both measures were reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SPB 7034, the Senate tax package, which includes permanent sales tax exemptions, multiple tax holidays, motor vehicle fee reductions, a property tax study, rural investment tax credits, a freeze on local communications services tax rates, and other tax changes, with an estimated $2.1 billion revenue reduction. Testimony was mixed: property appraisers supported the property tax study, while many public commenters opposed the firearm and ammunition tax holiday and urged inclusion of gun safes and locks instead. County, city, tourism, and lodging representatives raised concerns about tourist development tax limits and other local revenue impacts, while supporters emphasized tax relief and the study’s value. After debate, the committee adopted a motion to submit SPB 7034 as a committee bill and reported it favorably.