Transcript Highlights:

• I was with a group of superintendents this morning, and they communicated that there have been some challenges
• .with the right individuals in districts to make sure that these claims are adjusted and that superintendents
• Senator Hickey and I think the primary challenge that I've heard, and I hear a lot of things from superintendents
• So I look at it more as... ...superintendents is around just the communication side of it, so I look

Summary: The State Insurance Programs Oversight Subcommittee met on June 17 and reviewed a series of Employee Benefits Division and Office of Property Risk items. The committee approved formulary changes for March and April that favored lower-cost generics, removed some new-to-market drugs from coverage pending more evidence, and made maintenance changes to migraine and diabetes medications. Members also approved a cell and gene therapy policy that would route those therapies through prior authorization rather than automatic coverage; officials said the process should not delay urgent cases and that no current members would be affected. The committee then reviewed a UAMS pharmacy benefit consultant contract amendment, but after extended discussion about the written scope and dollar amounts, the motion was approved with the understanding that any use of optional services would return to the committee for further review. The committee also reviewed the U.S. Able Mutual/Blue Advantage third-party administration contract and the CompSack employee assistance program contract, which officials said would reduce per-member costs and add services. The subcommittee approved proposed 2027 rates for state employees and public employees, with a 9.8% increase for state employees and a 4.9% increase for public school employees. Officials also reported that the UnitedHealthcare rebid was in its final negotiation stage and would return in August, with medical and pharmacy coverage split as previously recommended. In response to questions, the director said the division was considering broader preventive-care offerings, including weight-loss drug coverage, but would proceed cautiously and with strong utilization controls and holistic support if such a program were adopted. On the property risk side, the committee reviewed permanent rules making prior temporary rules permanent, a contingency-fee subrogation contract, and renewals for claims management, actuarial services, and investment management. Members raised concerns about Sedgwick’s claim-adjustment timeliness and communication with school districts after severe weather events; officials said performance guarantees and communication expectations had been strengthened, but the renewal was kept at three years for continuity. Finally, the committee approved 2026-27 captive insurance program rates, which included no change to minimum deductibles, a 10% overall rate reduction, and bucketed rate changes by entity type. Officials said the captive program was working as intended, with improved actuarial support and claims experience, and the meeting adjourned after the approvals.

Transcript Highlights:

• placed in the residential facility will no longer need to wait for paperwork from the county superintendent
• placed in the residential facility will no longer need to wait for paperwork from the county superintendent
• placed in the residential facility will no longer need to wait for paperwork from the county superintendent
• But in small districts where the accountant is also the superintendent, is also the math teacher, is

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, recorded attendance, approved the journal, and then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider several bills. Early floor action included House Bill 2369 on photo-enforced traffic citations, amended so the citation would be signed by the mayor rather than the municipality’s presiding judge; House Bill 2423 on advanced math course enrollment, amended to narrow eligibility to students showing high proficiency on statewide assessments and to remove duplicative reporting; House Bill 2481 on school district financial records, amended to change how the state responds to USFR deficiencies by directing districts to approved training programs; House Bill 2621 on special education/public school enrollment, amended to allow students placed in residential facilities to enroll directly in the district where they live; and House Bill 2756 on public utilities and high-load-factor customers, amended to extend reporting deadlines, exempt smaller utilities, and remove some integrated planning requirements. Each of these bills received do-pass recommendations from Committee of the Whole, with some senators raising concerns about math staffing, school funding, and data-center impacts on rates and infrastructure. The chamber then adopted the Committee of the Whole report and heard a proclamation supporting stronger Arizona and U.S. relations with Taiwan, including trade, technology, education, and Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. The Senate also calendared House Bill 2192 for additional Committee of the Whole consideration, adopted a Bolick amendment excluding telecom and broadband providers from the definition of online hosting platform, and advanced the bill with a do-pass recommendation. In third reading, the Senate passed House Bill 2249 on the parents’ bill of rights, House Bill 2482 on out-of-school facilities, House Bill 2641 on firefighting foam, House Bill 2661 on dependent children, House Bill 2662 on parenting time, House Bill 2673 creating a study committee on inmate mental health services, House Bill 2745 on legislative subpoena enforcement, House Bill 2752 on the Arizona Commerce Authority, House Bill 2895 on public education, House Bill 2923 on mental health services, and several concurrent memorials urging Congress to address foreign authoritarian property ownership and endangered species issues. Several members explained votes, often citing budget concerns, staffing shortages, or policy objections. Senators Epstein and others repeatedly argued that many problems in education and mental health require more funding and personnel rather than statutory changes alone. Senator Kuby and Senator Epstein also criticized House Bill 2756 as insufficient to address data-center costs, water use, and ratepayer impacts, though the amended bill passed. The session concluded with passage of House Bill 2192 on employment, committee announcements for the following Monday, and adjournment until April 20, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have the superintendent, Dr. Mike Waldrop, the associate... Deputy Superintendent, Dr.
• County Fire Chief Andy Inslee, Police Chief Seth McDaniel, and his wife Maisie. superintendents Shelly
• trustee president Kristen Tasson and vice president Rick Garcia I want to acknowledge our amazing superintendent

Keywords: legislation, testimonies, committee meeting, public interest, bills

Summary: The committee meeting was conducted with several discussions surrounding various proposed bills, addressing both public interests and legislative concerns. Specific bills were presented, and members debated the implications of each, emphasizing their potential impact on the community and state regulations. Notably, several testimonies were heard from stakeholders, which enriched the conversation and provided different perspectives on the bills being reviewed.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also had the superintendent, Dr. Mike Waldrop, the associate deputy superintendent, Dr.
• County Fire Chief Andy Inslee, Police Chief Seth McDaniel and his wife, Maisie. superintendents Shelly
• I want to acknowledge our amazing Superintendent, Dr. Mark Smith, in his absence.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill allows the Superintendent of Public Instruction to waive the requirements relating to the forfeiture
• The bill allows the Superintendent of Public Instruction to waive the requirements relating to the forfeiture
• And yet teachers, these districts, these superintendents, these school boards, and yes, quite frankly

Bills: HB2035, HB2041, HB2611, HB2860, HB4004, HB4049, SCR1032

Keywords: kinship care, child welfare, foster care, relative placement, child protection, child neglect, financial resources, behavioral health, Christian Science treatment, parental rights, group homes, children's rights, safety protocols, employee training, mental health, child safety, oversight, independent committee, transparency, accountability

Summary: The Senate Committee on Government considered only SCR 1032, along with a strike-everything amendment. The amendment would require school districts, subject to voter approval, to dedicate at least 60% of operational spending to teacher pay, with a phased-in increase starting in FY 2028 for districts below that threshold. It also would penalize noncompliant districts by requiring unexpended Classroom Site Fund monies to revert, making districts ineligible for those funds until back in compliance, and directing JLBC to exclude those districts from per-pupil calculations. The Superintendent of Public Instruction could grant limited waivers of the forfeiture provisions for up to one year, not more than two consecutive years for the same district. Supporters, including representatives of Heritage Action, the Goldwater Institute, and the Center for Arizona Policy, argued that Arizona has increased school funding substantially while teacher pay has remained flat in real terms, and said the measure would improve accountability and ensure more money reaches teachers rather than district administration. They cited Auditor General findings and prior voter-approved efforts such as the Classroom Site Fund and teacher pay initiatives as evidence that districts have not prioritized classroom spending as intended. A rural school coalition testified in opposition, saying the proposal would be difficult for small districts to meet because it could force cuts to other essential costs such as fuel, insurance, facilities, and other operating needs, and that the Auditor General’s classroom-spending categories may not accurately reflect actual teacher pay. One committee member also raised concerns that the measure could harm special education and other legally required student services. During discussion, the sponsor said charter schools were excluded because they are private businesses under the state’s framework, despite receiving public funds. The committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and then voted 4-3 to give SCR 1032, as amended, a do pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• The one I have a little concern about is the school districts, and if the DPI superintendent would be
• Senator Clemens: The one I have a little concern about is the school districts, and if the DPI superintendent
• Senator Lee: We want to make sure that the superintendent of the Department of Public Construction has

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Health Care Task Force reconvened to hear reports from its divisions. The Appropriations Division reviewed a draft bill appropriating $198 million in federal grant funds for the current year and another $198 million for the next grant year, authorizing DHS to transfer funds within its budget, allowing OMB to adjust federal fund authority for related grants, speeding procurement and bulk purchasing, requiring grant recipients to acknowledge the temporary nature of the funding, and mandating periodic reporting. After questions were answered to the division’s satisfaction, the committee voted to forward the appropriations bill draft to Legislative Management. The Policy Division then reviewed four bills. One would require the presidential physical fitness test to be included in high school physical education; another would require physicians to complete one hour of continuing education on nutrition and metabolic health each renewal cycle; a third would add physician assistants to the interstate licensure compact framework; and a fourth would authorize limited pharmacist prescriptive authority and therapeutic substitution. Members generally supported the first three measures and noted that the pharmacist bill had been amended in discussion but was left in its current form so stakeholders could comment before the special session. The division also discussed that all four policy bills were tied to the federal grant funding and that failure to pass them, or changing them in a way that reduced CMS scoring, could reduce or eliminate funding. Department officials confirmed that if any of the bills failed or were altered in a way that lowered the score, the state could lose money and could not make up the points elsewhere. Members raised concerns about the physical fitness bill, including possible exemptions for students with severe illnesses or physical limitations, and noted the need for DPI input. Leadership indicated the special session hearings would likely begin Wednesday morning. The committee then approved a motion for Legislative Council to prepare a committee report for Legislative Management and adjourned, noting the task force may need to remain available during the special session.

Transcript Highlights:

• On behalf of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, we are very supportive of the proposal.
• Thank you, Kimberly Rosenberger, with the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
• Kimberly Rosenberger with CDE, on behalf of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond
• Kimberly Rosenberger with CDE, on behalf of State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.
• Christina Salazar with the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals across seven education-related items and received testimony from the Department of Finance, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the Department of Education, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, and the Office of Public School Construction. On dual enrollment, the administration proposed $100 million one-time Proposition 98 funding plus policy changes to expand access, including eligibility for regional occupational centers, added support for justice-involved youth, priority for higher-need LEAs, teacher professional development, and a reduction in required daily instructional minutes for some dual enrollment students. The LAO recommended rejecting the funding as not clearly tied to implementation barriers, while CDE supported the proposal but suggested reserving $10 million for technical assistance. Several public commenters and members supported the investment and urged inclusion of technical assistance and adult dual enrollment. For the reading difficulty screener proposal, the Governor proposed $40 million one-time funding and statutory changes requiring kindergarten screeners after 91 school days and grades 1-2 screeners after 46 school days, with the stated goal of reducing over-identification and allowing time for foundational instruction. The LAO recommended rejecting the funding, saying costs were likely overstated and that LEAs could use discretionary block grant funds instead. CDE supported the funding but the timing restrictions drew significant concern from the chair and public witnesses, who argued the deadlines were too prescriptive and could delay early intervention; advocates and literacy organizations urged preserving local flexibility and screening earlier. CDE and Finance defended the timing as based on data and consistent with other states, while also emphasizing that early instruction and support could still begin on day one. On special education, Finance described a proposal to increase the base rate to $99 per ADA through a $509 million ongoing Proposition 98 augmentation, along with COLA and enrollment adjustments. The LAO said the proposal should be adopted but estimated it could be achieved with less funding; CDE strongly supported the increase, citing rising enrollment, cost pressures, and inequities across SELPAs. Public testimony from districts and SELPAs echoed the need for more funding and asked for even higher per-ADA support. The committee also heard a school facilities update showing Proposition 2 bond balances and demand levels, with OPSC noting funds are being used for new construction, modernization, small district set-asides, lead remediation, and natural disaster assistance. For the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, members heard that the student teacher stipend program’s grants management system is complete and that the Commission is seeking to track participation and outcomes; the Governor also proposed additional state operations funding to address misconduct workload, implement SB 848-related data systems, and administer the stipend program. Finally, the Governor proposed $250 million one-time funding to continue teacher and school counselor residency grants through 2029-30, which the LAO said could help fill shortages but may be harder for rural LEAs; CTC supported the program and said regional technical assistance hubs are helping expand access. No formal votes were taken, and the hearing adjourned after public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• As one superintendent put it last year, “We have no more to cut.” That's not mismanagement.
• Instead of having to cut a teacher from an already understaffed school, a superintendent can look across
• averages and best practices. an already understaffed school, an already understaffed school, superintendent
• 44.480> look<00:21:44.640> across<00:21:44.960> a<00:21:45.200> larger superintendent
• can look across a larger superintendent can look across a larger universe<00:21:45.919> of<00

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not talking about school boards for superintendents, but while many district charter charter boards
• The alliance has great relationships with boards and superintendents across the state.
• Have there been conversations with superintendents that directs staff. The staff don't run.
• The district's superintendent does so. Have there been conversations with superintendent?

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome students, PTA representatives, board members and the superintendent from Irvine Unified.
• informing me of my legal rights to opt out of dissection, and the incredibly supportive assistant superintendent
• Good afternoon Carlos Rojas with the Kern County Superintendent of Schools.
• Maris Vismara on behalf of State Superintendent Tony Thurmond proud co-sponsor.
• Carlos Rojas with the Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office in opposition.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• we spend every interim traveling around the state with our local chapters, meeting with school superintendents
• My name is Steve Snell, Superintendent of Liberty Hill.
• Been in education 31 years and at Liberty Hill ISD for the last 6 as superintendent.
• I was able to visit the Opportunity Central in, uh, Uh, Kaufman 40 ISD with, with Superintendent Terry
• When he first got elected, um, went back to the district, met with him, several of his school superintendents

Bills: HB20, HB120

Keywords: fraudulent solicitation, disaster relief, nonprofit organizations, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud prevention, charitable donations, higher education, LGBTQ studies, DEI studies, program prohibition, educational policy, HB120, Texas, Texas Education Code, public universities, public colleges, queer studies, gay studies, lesbian studies

Transcript Highlights:

• Rather than just an agency come in, we had teachers and superintendents and school board members and
• , say, they have a vacancy and they want to bring back a retired teacher just... teachers and superintendents
• and teachers and superintendents and Schoolboard<00:05:15.479> members<00:05:15.800> and
• attempted to do when we had the gavel and were able to actually hear from the teachers and the superintendents
• And the superintendents.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ducha, Deputy Superintendent with the Department of Education.
• [Music] [Music] [Music] testify<00:19:49.520> superintendent.
• Ducha, deputy superintendent<00:20:00.720> with<00:20:00.880> the<00:20:00.960> department
• <00:20:01.280> of superintendent with the department of superintendent with the department
• All right, deputy superintendent.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Senate Committee on Education, Hawaiian Affairs, and Housing heard House Bill 1088 HD1, which would exempt housing developed by the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) from school impact fees. The Department of Education said it was open to working with DHHL and the Legislature, including possibly eliminating the construction-cost portion of the fee for DHHL and other government affordable housing projects, but it wanted to retain the land-dedication requirement for future school sites where growth would exceed existing school capacity. The School Facilities Authority supported the bill, and DHHL strongly supported it, noting that its testimony referenced an earlier emergency proclamation but that the exemption remains in the current proclamation. DHHL also said it had no objection to a proposed amendment from the Wahiawa Hawaiian Homestead Association. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii testified in opposition to the broader school impact fee program, arguing that the fund has accumulated about $29 million that has not been spent and citing concerns raised in State Auditor Report 19-13, including administrative and constitutional issues. Committee discussion focused heavily on whether the fee system is being applied fairly, especially to smaller projects and homeowners, and whether the districts and calculations used to assess fees have been updated. Members questioned the DOE and SFA about the distinction between land and construction costs, the use of fees in areas like Kīhei, Kalihi, Ala Moana, and Ewa, and whether the department had revisited district calculations as recommended in the audit. DOE said it had collected about $500,000 in construction money and $2.8 million in land contributions for Kalihi-related areas, and said it would follow up on questions about land conveyances and district updates. After discussion, the chair called for a vote. The Education committee recommended passing HB 1088 HD1 as is, with Senator San Buenaventura voting with reservation and Senators Ihara and Kole voting aye. The recommendation was adopted. The Housing committee then also deferred the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome students, PTA representatives, board members, and the superintendent from the superintendent
• Welcome, students, PTA representatives, board members, and the superintendent from Irvine Unified School
• informing me of my legal rights to opt out of dissection, and the incredibly supportive assistant superintendent
• Carlos Hurlhouse, with the county superintendent of schools, we haven't taken an official position on
• Marisvizmara, on behalf of State Superintendent Tony Thurmond, is a proud co-sponsor.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee met for its first hearing of the session, adopted its committee rules on a 6-0 vote, and then heard several bills. AB 347, which would require written notice to students about the right to opt out of animal dissection and receive a comparable assignment, drew strong support from the author, a student, and multiple advocacy and education groups, while opponents argued it would burden teachers and duplicate existing law. The committee approved AB 347 on a 7-0 vote and sent it to Appropriations. AB 281, which would expand parent access to sex education materials and require disclosure of outside consultants’ credentials, drew mixed testimony. Supporters framed it as a transparency and parent-rights measure, while school administrators and county education officials said current law already allows inspection and that the bill would create an unfunded administrative burden. After extended member discussion, the bill failed on a 4-3 vote with one abstention, though reconsideration was granted. AB 65, which would provide paid pregnancy leave for educators without requiring them to exhaust sick leave first, was supported by teachers, CTA, and the State Treasurer, but opposed by school administrators and business officials over cost concerns; it passed 6-0 to Higher Education. The committee also approved AB 361, which would extend and expand LAUSD’s best-value procurement authority for school construction to all school districts for five years, on a 5-0 vote with one abstention. AB 86, which would require the State Board of Education to adopt standardized K-8 health education instructional materials, passed 5-0. Finally, AB 228, the Zaki Fast Act, was introduced to clarify that schools may stock any federally approved epinephrine delivery system, including newer devices beyond auto-injectors, and was presented with testimony from the bill’s young namesake and his family; the transcript cuts off before the committee vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• working on this because we're listening and we're hearing from our teachers and our students, superintendents
• My name is Jeanette Ball, and I'm the superintendent of Southwest. independent school district, and I'm
• off by thanking the great teacher that I had, because of her I'm able to sit here and be the superintendent
• And as a superintendent for...
• So are you having—I've heard from other superintendents that they're having trouble filling those slots

Bills: SB26, SB 26

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, SB 26, Texas Property Code, colonia, colonias, Spanish translation, bilingual contract, real estate contract, executory contract, residential property, border county, international border, economically distressed area, consumer protection, language access, translator certified in Spanish

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, the Superintendent of Insurance is here as a witness, so could you want to say anything?
• Thank you, Madam Superintendent.
• I would encourage the insurance superintendent to help us as legislators protect whether they're in..
• You've also added some other individuals, including the superintendent who's here.
• Consulting with the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance.

Transcript Highlights:

• and as we've listened to superintendents and as we've listened to superintendents in<01:03:38.880
• K, public schools have a perfectly balanced budget, but that's because our superintendent didn't spend
• <01:14:32.920> just clarify uh what our superintendent just clarify uh what our superintendent
• um I've got some really superintendent um I've got some really good<01:15:06.080> ones<01:15:
• But I think Senator Putnam is right, and obviously his superintendent connection is pretty legit.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've heard from superintendents, we've heard from teachers, we've heard from educators across the state
• We've heard from superintendents, we've heard from teachers, we've heard from educators across the state
• I'm John Magus, superintendent of Dilworth Public Schools, and I'm here today to talk about critical
• Members, when our superintendent and school board members get together, I'd say when they get the most
• extremely superintendent who is extremely frustrated<01:31:46.560> about<01:31:47.000> the

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And the board is the state school board and superintendent. Correct.
• And the board is the state school board and superintendent. Correct.
• How many superintendents have you talked to concerning this bill? >> I've talked to several.
• I know it did not include all of our superintendents. >> I didn't say all, but I...
• include all of our superintendants. include all of our superintendants.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think it's something that Superintendent Bachmeier is going to push.
• And I think it's something that Superintendent Bachmeier is going to push.
• So Superintendent Buckbauer and the committee are aware. It did get placed up there.
• We aren't a state that the state office, me or previous Superintendent Baesler or Superintendent Bachmeier
• I had the superintendent from Steele call me.

Keywords: 908, all