Transcript Highlights:

• After that, we will have the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition with us.
• Up next, we'll hear from the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition. **Dr.
• some of the special work that we do at the Institute.
• We want to advance the human condition in the work that we do at the Institute.
• So, I mentioned we have a recent grant from the National Institutes of Health.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so our goal really is to minimize if... ...that they may also receive from the institution.
• And then both the system can work with the institutions, and the institutions have programs, especially
• And I think we've got a couple of folks from institutions who can speak to that when they come up to
• institutions.
• And there is an opportunity for them to improve if they fall below a little bit, but the institution

Bills: AB328 , AB397

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: Juneteenth, education, economic commission, cultural affairs, racial healing, policy recommendations, African-American studies, higher education, fee waivers, Native American students, unaccompanied youth, academic progress, Nevada System of Higher Education, 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If it was the external side of the institution, we did it.
• was established as one of 54 unique institutes across the country.
• What truly makes the institute What truly makes the Institute a North Dakota asset is our state advisory
• I also want to briefly highlight how efficiently this institute runs.
• So both of the state's research institutions participate in this institute. Thank you.

Committee: Joint Agriculture and Water Management Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What were known as Confucius Institutes. They're also Confucius classrooms.
• It was demonstrated that these institutions... K through 12 and in college.
• And, of course, since the '60s, we've seen the long march through the institutions.
• I'm sure you know that is what I do at another institution. It's nice to see you.
• I'm sure you know that is what I do at another institution. It's nice to see you.

Bills: HB113 , HB342 , HB632 , HB690 , HB1003 , HB1078 , HB1132 , HB1146

Committee: House Education

Keywords: grading scale, education reform, students, public schools, academic policy, special education, due process, local education agency, burden of proof, IEP, education law, data sharing, student information, privacy, education, LA FIRST, foreign adversaries, terrorism, contracting, school funding

Transcript Highlights:

• Institutions will struggle to guarantee high-quality instruction across campuses.
• I don't know. institutions will struggle to guarantee high quality instruction across campuses.
• The state's higher education institutions should uphold standards of excellence, accountability, and
• I also believe that in terms of building a resilient institution, that we need to invest in student,
• That's a significant move in making sure that funds get out to all our institutions. Okay.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education convened with a quorum and first took up CS for SB 1694 on technology education. The bill would require technology-integrated postsecondary general education core courses to include digital literacy and competency instruction, including use of artificial intelligence tools, and would encourage high school computer science courses that include AI to teach how AI systems use data, their benefits and limitations, and responsible use in academic and personal settings. The bill sponsor and several supporters emphasized preparing students for an AI-driven workforce while teaching critical evaluation and ethical use; one speaker raised concerns about overreliance on AI and the need to preserve real-world skills. Senator Davis supported the measure and suggested introducing similar instruction earlier, possibly in middle school. The committee voted the bill favorably, with Senator Leak later recorded in the affirmative. The committee then heard a large block of confirmations for higher education boards, including appointees to Tallahassee State College, the University of South Florida, the University of North Florida, Palm Beach State College, the College of the Florida Keys, Hillsborough College, Miami-Dade College, Florida A&M University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, New College of Florida, Florida Polytechnic University, and the University of Florida. The appointees generally highlighted backgrounds in education, health care, law, business, technology, and public service, and described priorities such as student success, workforce alignment, affordability, fiscal responsibility, and institutional growth. One nominee to Tallahassee State College was asked about low NCLEX pass rates and said the college had a plan approved by the Florida Board of Nursing. Another nominee discussed Florida Poly’s STEM mission, and several members praised the nominees’ community ties and professional experience. After hearing the appointees, the committee voted to report the block of confirmations favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee. The committee then received a high-level overview of the higher education budget, totaling $11.9 billion, with major emphasis on workforce training and development. Highlights included increases for school district workforce education, the Florida College System, workforce development capitalization, a rural educator recruitment program, funding for the USF Center for Nursing, preeminent research universities, UCF’s community school grant program, UF’s literacy and math initiatives, UF’s autism and neurodevelopment center, and a postsecondary guardian program for campus security. Members asked a brief question about a workforce fund transfer, and the chair explained it was a transfer of an existing program with new funds added. No public comment was offered, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tracy Cook, its 21st president, and forwarded to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher
• of higher learning sponsored institution of higher learning in<00:19:16.720><c> Mississippi.
• of higher learning supported institution of higher learning in<00:19:39.840><c> Mississippi.
• </c> board of trustees of state institutions board of trustees of state institutions of<00:19:52.160>
• I want to say thank you for institution.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 17 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the State Institutions Gift Trust Fund.
• This is the core for the adult institution staff.
• This is the core for the institution, expense, and equipment.
• community purchases, and institution expense and equipment.
• community purchases, and institution expense and equipment.

Committee: House Budget

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is much more efficient, much easier for all the institutions and for the individuals who are getting
• And the institutions really know their students best, so being able to have that funding available to
• </c> things that come up and the institutions things that come up and the institutions really<00:21:12.360
• It just changes the way that it’s allocated to institutions. Thank you.
• </c> the money directly to the institutions the money directly to the institutions um<00:30:23.519><c

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Enrollment at our public institutions is also up.
• and minority-serving institutions. is just one example of these challenges.
• and minority-serving institutions.
• And that's what we instituted.
• Simply put, your state universities are truly Massachusetts institutions.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Keywords: 995, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> district and school and institution, district and school and institution, postsecondary<00:09:08.520
• </c> programs at institutions. programs at institutions.
• </c> And we have surveyed it all institutions And we have surveyed it all institutions have<00:24:59.920
• </c> education institutions. education institutions.
• . institutions. institutions.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Artificial Intelligence Task Force met and adopted the prior minutes before turning to AI in education. Jeff Gagne of the Southern Regional Education Board described SREB’s Commission on AI in Education, which has organized its work into committees on policy, K-12 instruction, postsecondary instruction, and skills development. He highlighted eight commission recommendations covering statewide AI networks, targeted guidance for different user groups, professional development, standards and curricula, local capacity assessments, risk management, procurement, and AI-ready workforce skills. He also emphasized that states need more specific guidance for students, teachers, faculty, administrators, and parents, and that training is essential because many educators have not been prepared to use AI in instruction. Gagne also summarized two recent SREB reports: one on AI-ready workforce skills and one on AI use in K-12 classrooms. The workforce report recommends embedding AI across standards, strengthening computer science and digital learning standards, collaborating with industry and workforce agencies, building AI competencies into training and upskilling, providing educator professional development, and monitoring readiness. He said the report identifies three skill areas: success skills, industry baseline skills, and technical skills. The classroom guidance report promotes responsible AI adoption, with four pillars focused on increasing cognitive demand, streamlining teaching and administrative work, supporting personalized learning, and developing ethical AI users. He also noted that the report includes an AI procurement tool for school districts. Members thanked Gagne for providing outside examples and resources. One member noted JCPS has an introductory AI professional development offering for educators. Gagne said Kentucky’s David Couch serves on the SREB commission and that the commission’s member list and reports are available on SREB’s website. The committee then heard from Travis Powell of the Council on Postsecondary Education, who said CPE had surveyed campuses and found that Kentucky institutions have broadly embraced AI in teaching, research, student services, and administrative operations. He said all institutions have AI-focused degrees, minors, or courses, and many are integrating AI into general education and across disciplines. Powell also said CPE is considering an AI consortium and that campuses are using AI in research partnerships and applied work, while continuing to focus on ethical and effective use.

Transcript Highlights:

• My state, Louisiana, has received roughly 500 million dollars through NIH's Institutional Development
• That amounts to a massive. funding cut for research institutions.
• This is the institute that you may be running.
• And we also have, what, eight different supporting institutes studying it.
• So I know I think NIH as fundamentally an institution aimed at the public good.

Committee: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

Keywords: NIH funding, healthcare research, chronic diseases, scientific integrity, public trust, pandemic response

Summary: The meeting of the committee focused on various healthcare and scientific issues, with significant discussions surrounding the impact of recent administrative actions on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and its research agenda. Senators expressed concerns over funding cuts and personnel reductions, particularly the reported termination of over 1,200 NIH staff members, which could jeopardize ongoing and future research projects. The session included testimonies on the importance of supporting early-stage researchers and restoring public trust in scientific institutions following pandemic-related controversies. Additionally, the potential for future healthcare management based on diverse scientific ideas was emphasized as crucial to tackle chronic diseases effectively.

Transcript Highlights:

• Institutions will struggle to guarantee high-quality instruction across campuses.
• The state's higher education institutions should uphold standards of excellence, accountability, and
• Institutions like Florida A&M, in particular, do more than just confer a degree.
• That's a significant move in making sure that funds get out to all our institutions. Okay.
• That's a significant move in making sure that funds get out to all our institutions. Okay.

Bills: S1694

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Keywords: technology education, digital literacy, artificial intelligence, computer science, high school graduation

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met with a quorum present and first took up CS for SB 1694, which would require technology-integrated postsecondary general education core courses to include digital literacy and competency instruction, including use of artificial intelligence tools, and encourage high school computer science courses with AI content to teach how AI systems use data, their benefits and limitations, and responsible use in academic and personal contexts. The bill drew support from several speakers who emphasized the need for students to understand AI’s capabilities, limitations, ethics, and risks, while one speaker raised concerns about overreliance on AI and the loss of skills. Senator Davis said the bill was a good step toward preparing the future workforce and suggested earlier instruction might be worth considering later. The bill was reported favorably, and Senator Leek asked to be recorded in the affirmative. The committee then heard a long series of confirmation presentations for trustees at multiple Florida colleges and universities, including Tallahassee State College, USF, UNF, Palm Beach State College, the College of the Florida Keys, Hillsborough College, Miami-Dade College, Florida A&M University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, New College of Florida, Florida Polytechnic University, and the University of Florida. The appointees generally emphasized student success, workforce alignment, fiscal responsibility, access and affordability, and institutional growth; several members and senators offered supportive comments, with some asking about specific issues such as Tallahassee State’s NCLEX passage rates and the need for continued improvement. One appointee’s attendance was delayed or skipped for later consideration, but the committee ultimately took a block vote and reported the confirmations favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee. Finally, Chair Harrell gave a brief overview of the higher education budget, describing a total of $11.9 billion and highlighting increases for workforce education, Florida College System operating funds, workforce development capitalization, the Rural Incentive for Professional Educators program, the USF Center for Nursing, preeminent research universities, UCF’s community school grant program, UF’s Lassinger Center on Learning, the Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment, and campus security through a postsecondary guardian program. Senator Davis asked about a transfer related to the workforce development capitalization and incentive grant fund, and the chair explained it was a transfer of an existing program with new funds being added. There was no public comment on the budget, and the meeting adjourned after Senator Leek requested to be recorded in the affirmative on SB 1694.

Transcript Highlights:

• So </font> <font color="aaaaaa">individually, all of our </font> <font color="aaaaaa">institutions are
• We </font> <font color="aaaaaa">have 6 research, one </font> <font color="aaaaaa">institutions.
• And 3 research </font> <font color="aaaaaa">to institutions.
• So these </font> <font color="aaaaaa">institutions.
• And 3 research </font> <font color="aaaaaa">to institutions.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Governing institutions as well. >> ?
• The fact is that the institutions that I am looking to protect here are institutions that we should all
• We removed what I always look at as—we talk so much about institutions, the institution of the Senate
• And those institutions, We removed what I always look at as—we talk so much about institutions, the institution
• And those institutions, figuratively like institutions or buildings literally, they have loadstones.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate met on June 3, 2026, approved the prior day’s journal, and then moved through a long list of discharge motions and substitutions to place many bills on the third reading calendar. The chamber also adopted Resolution J.2314 honoring the New York chapter of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, with remarks emphasizing domestic workers’ role in care work, labor organizing, and protections such as paid sick leave and family leave. Another adopted resolution, J.2298, mourned labor and social justice advocate Minerva Solla, with senators highlighting her work with 1199, the Young Lords, Puerto Rican solidarity efforts, and women’s organizing. A third resolution recognized Olympic curler Daniel Casper for representing the United States at the 2026 Winter Games. The Senate then confirmed a large slate of judicial and executive nominations. It accepted the Judiciary Committee report and confirmed four interim Supreme Court justices, seven Court of Claims judges, and 21 reappointments/extensions by a vote of 44-12. The Finance Committee report was also accepted, and the Senate confirmed a broad set of appointments to state boards and authorities, including the MTA, State Commission of Correction, Power Authority, NYSERDA, Financial Control Board, public health councils, SUNY and Cornell boards, gaming and bridge authorities, and others. One notable confirmation was Alexander Dockery to the State Commission of Correction; supporters called it the first time a formerly incarcerated person had been confirmed to that commission, while Senator Murray criticized the practice of voting on large nomination blocks rather than individually. The chamber then took up and passed many bills, mostly by wide margins, covering labor, health, education, transportation, public service, criminal justice, municipal, tax, insurance, and environmental topics. Several members explained their votes on major measures: Senator Ramos supported a bill modernizing temporary disability benefits and another protecting construction workers from lost pay when jobs are canceled; Senator Baskin spoke about a correction bill tied to the death of India Cummings; Senator Skoufis described a family-court custody bill intended to prioritize child safety; Senator Mayer backed a proposal to reimburse parents of medically fragile children for providing care; and Senator Hinchey defended a bill requiring employers to report AI-related job impacts, while Senator Borrello opposed it as burdensome. Most bills were passed, some were laid aside, and the session concluded with multiple roll-call votes and confirmations before adjournment-related business.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the system, and I know many of you are familiar with the system and specifically your local institution
• So individually, all of our institutions are ranked nationally in one form or another.
• . ...colleges and universities, we have six Research One institutions and three Research Two institutions
• So now you're only appropriating state funds to the institutions.
• Well, that would be up to the institution and their program.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education received a presentation from Tim Jones, Senior Vice Chancellor and CFO for the State University System of Florida, on the system’s funding methodology, budget structure, tuition, and performance-based funding. He outlined the system’s scale, including 12 universities, more than 430,000 students taking classes, about 78,000 employees, and a roughly $20 billion operating budget. He also reviewed tuition levels, noting Florida’s low resident undergraduate tuition, the lack of tuition increases since 2013, and the distinction between state-set resident tuition and Board of Governors authority over other tuition categories. Jones described several funding components, including performance funding, preeminence funding, faculty recruitment and retention programs, universities of distinction, nursing pipeline and matching programs, and operational enhancements. He explained that performance funding is based on a 100-point model tied to retention, graduation, employment, and other metrics, with student success plans required if scores decline or fall below 70 points. He said the current performance funding allocation is $350 million and the legislative budget request seeks $400 million. He also said the new SUS 30 strategic plan will lead to updates in the performance metrics and benchmarks, with some changes possibly phased in over time. Senators asked questions about how the new strategic plan will affect future scoring, how long universities have to improve after declining scores, and how out-of-state enrollment and tuition are handled. Jones said universities will be evaluated on the current metrics for the upcoming budget cycle, while the new plan’s changes will be developed later and may include glide paths. He also said there is no statutory cap on nonresident students, though the Board of Governors has a 10% systemwide guideline under discussion, and that graduate out-of-state tuition varies by program and requires institutional and Board of Governors approval. No votes were taken, no public testimony was offered, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Eventually, the institutions would report to the Ag Commissioner describing how they implemented the
• and reducing the number of students at such institutions who are experiencing food insecurity, and to
• I'm extremely youth... institutions in the state of Florida, and what this bill says is that for the
• students among all the state universities and college system institutions, and for the Ag Commissioner
• and also reducing the number of students at such institutions who are experiencing food and security

Summary: The committee first considered and unanimously recommended confirmation of Melanie Ressler to the Florida Citrus Commission. It then took up SPB 7020, a Department of Agriculture bill to reenact an expiring public records exemption for certain aquaculture production records held by the department. The department supported the measure, and the committee adopted a motion to submit it as a committee bill and reported it favorably. Next, the committee heard SB 534, which would create a Hunger-Free Campus Pilot Program in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Senator Bernard explained that the program would target campuses with high percentages of Pell-eligible students, require a survey and SNAP-related assistance, provide at least one food pantry on participating campuses, and direct a report to the Governor and House Speaker by December 1, 2028. A supporter waived in, there was no debate, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then received a lengthy presentation from Carla Bristol and youth ambassadors from the St. Pete Youth Farm. They described the farm as a youth-led response to local food access problems after grocery store closures, and outlined programs in leadership, financial literacy, career readiness, mental wellness, composting, aquaponics, community education, and food production. Members praised the program and asked about expansion, including a culinary kitchen or food truck, partnerships with schools and colleges, and how the initiative began. Bristol said the farm is funded mainly through local redevelopment dollars and that future plans include a food truck, more youth opportunities, and a possible culinary kitchen. The committee concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our faculty hail from a good mix of JD-granting institutions.
• And it was not, it was in spite of the institution.
• There are institutions that are in charge of doing those.
• There are institutions that are in charge of doing those. Things.
• And again, it was because of individual people, not the institution.

Bills: SB1 , SB3

Committee: House House Judiciary

Keywords: interstate medical licensure compact, physician licensure, medical license reciprocity, expedited licensure, medical practice act, New Mexico medical board, compact commission, physician mobility, telemedicine, license portability, background check, disciplinary action, joint investigation, reproductive health care, gender-affirming care, scope of practice, medical board transparency, multistate compact, licensure renewal, health care workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• As a profession-focused baccalaureate institution, basically we're a small regional comprehensive institution
• And U of I is proudly a Research 1 institution.
• We have partnerships and pipelines with all of our sister institutions.
• We have partnerships and pipelines with all of our sister institutions.
• And this—it’s not a research... ...it’s not a research institution.

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The Senate Education Committee first approved the January 26 and January 27, 2026 minutes by voice vote. The committee then heard a presentation from Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA) Superintendent Jeff Simmons, joined by Cambridge Superintendent Anthony Butler, on IDLA’s role as Idaho’s statewide supplemental online learning program. Simmons described IDLA’s funding model, course offerings, growth in enrollment, quality controls, teacher certification and oversight, use of Idaho teachers and curriculum, free open-content resources, and efforts to support families through lower course fees and waived dual-credit fees. He also said IDLA is preparing for a proposed $10 million budget cut, which he said would significantly reduce enrollments and course offerings. Butler testified that IDLA is especially valuable for small rural districts like Cambridge for credit recovery, dual credit, scheduling flexibility, and keeping students on track to graduate. Senators asked about teacher certification, costs, evaluation in a virtual setting, AI use, statutory naming, and how IDLA would be affected by budget reductions. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1234, sponsored by Senator Carlson, which would change Lewis-Clark State College’s name to Lewis-Clark State University. President Cynthia Pemberton testified that the change would not alter the institution’s mission, programs, or focus, but would reduce confusion about the school’s offerings, better reflect its four-year and graduate programs, and help recruitment and partnerships. She said the proposal has broad support from the State Board of Education, K-12 partners, local chambers, and campus stakeholders, and estimated a one-time rebranding cost of about $50,000. Senators asked about the cost and intent language, and the committee voted to send the bill to the Senate floor with a do-pass recommendation. The meeting adjourned afterward, with notice that there would be no Education Committee meeting the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so for that reason, the Open Technology Institute has taken that position.
• And a big issue that we have is people are going, well, we instituted facial recognition.
• Within the technology and democracy portfolio is the Open Technology Institute.
• Within the technology and democracy portfolio is the open technology institute.
• Tim Schmelser with Wine Institute.

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• CS for SB 1612, about financial institutions. By Senator Grall.
• their purchase of another financial institution is completed.
• rate or dividend generally available from the institution to comparable non-IRA business or consumer
• Financial Services when used by the savings institution.
• The amendment directed attorneys with accounts to bank with institutions.

Keywords: 999, senate, all