Video & Transcript : 'stem education' :
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WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Select Committee on Pension Policy Jun 17th, 2025
Select Committee on Pension Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- What makes good sense from an educational standpoint?
- And I would be prepared in July to do just a purely educational presentation, and you know, we're these
- What makes good sense from an educational standpoint.
- And I would be prepared in July to do, to just do a purely educational presentation, and I’d like to
- do just a purely educational presentation on the following items, any or all of the following items.
Committee:
Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy
Summary:
The committee approved the May minutes by roll call vote and then received brief updates from the Attorney General’s office and the Office of the State Actuary. The AG’s office said it would handle legal analysis related to the committee’s work, while the actuary reported that staff were at capacity this summer due to annual valuation work, experience studies, and other retirement system projects, but would have more capacity in the fall. Members also requested access to fiscal note and actuarial materials related to the LEOFF 1 study and related legislation.
The main discussion focused on the LEOFF 1 study, including actuarial funding, a proposed merger/termination/restatement approach, and the possibility of a permanent COLA for Plan 1 members. Several members supported keeping COLA recommendations in the committee’s work, while others raised concerns about whether merging or restating plans could affect benefits, legal status, or IRS tax treatment. The actuary explained that the temporary pause in certain funding rates reflected prior overfunding buffers and assumptions about future investment returns, and said future base-rate funding could still be needed depending on experience.
Members also discussed constituent correspondence, which staff said largely fell into four categories: the LEOFF 1 study, Plan 1 benefits and COLAs, fossil fuel divestment, and ESSB 5357. The committee agreed that divestment concerns are more appropriately directed to the State Investment Board, not this committee. In reviewing the draft interim work plan, members added or adjusted several topics for future meetings, including a July educational briefing on LEOFF 1 history and tax/IRS issues, a September discussion of COLAs, and a December placeholder for excess compensation/pension spiking, pending coordination with the LEOFF 2 Board. The committee then approved the July agenda and adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- immigration on our state and key areas of state and local expenditures, infrastructure, health care, education
- collaborate with various state and federal agencies, political subdivisions, institutes of higher education
- all the comprehensive numbers, not only what we expect on border security, but also dealing with education
- , K-12 education, children with special needs. ...education, K-12 education, children with special needs
- That has basically served to prevent local education agencies, school districts, open-enrollment charter
Bills:
SB825
Committee:
Senate Border Security
Keywords:
illegal immigration, economic impact, environmental impact, financial impact, annual study, Texas, government report
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Border Security heard testimony on Senate Bill 825 by Senator Middleton, as substituted, which would require an annual or biennial study of the economic, environmental, and financial impacts of illegal immigration in Texas. Middleton said the bill is intended to provide lawmakers with comprehensive data on costs to law enforcement, health care, education, infrastructure, and taxpayers, and to support possible federal reimbursement claims. Several senators, including Hinojosa and Eckhardt, agreed that a study is needed but raised concerns about bias, the scope of the study, and whether the Comptroller’s Office rather than the governor’s office should conduct it. Middleton argued the governor’s office was the best coordinating entity because it could direct multiple agencies to provide data, while Hinojosa and others emphasized the Comptroller’s expertise and prior 2006 study.
Public testimony was generally supportive of the idea of a study but critical of the bill’s framing. Sarah Cruz of the ACLU of Texas said the study should be a full cost-benefit analysis and warned that focusing only on costs could create an anti-immigrant narrative. Danny Woodward of the Texas Civil Rights Project also supported the concept but recommended moving the study to the Comptroller or, alternatively, creating a neutral commission. Jaime Pointe of Every Texan likewise supported updating the 2006 analysis and said state agencies should be able to cooperate with a governor-led study.
Resource witnesses from the governor’s office, HHSC, TEA, OCA, TDCJ, and DPS explained that data collection would be uneven across agencies. HHSC and TEA said they often do not collect immigration status and, in TEA’s case, federal law limits schools from requesting such information; OCA and TDCJ said they could provide only partial or indirect data unless new reporting requirements were added. DPS said it already has Operation Lone Star data but would need to collect additional information if tasked with the broader study. The chair asked the governor’s office to provide a follow-up answer on separation-of-powers and related authority questions by the following Tuesday, and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair without taking a vote on the bill.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Health Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Public Health
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, there's a lot to learn and incorporate into education materials.
- I have a master's in education.
- It is a simple and elegant way to educate people about lung cancer screening.
- Educating the public about screening and eligibility will save lives.
- Two things will work: education and enforcement.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Public Health
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Health heard testimony on a wide range of bills focused on children’s health, tobacco control, newborn screening, pediatric cancer, palliative care, and professional licensure. Early testimony highlighted Senate bills to expand newborn screening for pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency, lysosomal storage disorders, and congenital CMV, with families and clinicians describing severe diagnostic delays, missed treatment windows, and the benefits of early detection. Speakers also supported a bill to improve pediatric cancer research through a dedicated trust fund, and a bill to extend pediatric palliative care services to age 22, with parents and providers emphasizing continuity of care for seriously ill young people.
Several witnesses gave personal accounts in support of the newborn screening measures. Families described children who endured years of misdiagnosis before receiving diagnoses such as Gaucher disease, Fabry disease, Pompe disease, Niemann-Pick disease, and CMV, often after irreversible damage had already occurred. Medical and advocacy witnesses said Massachusetts already collects some of the relevant screening data and argued that results should be reported to families, while others urged the committee to add conditions to the state panel because effective treatments already exist. The committee also heard support for a bill to establish a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder program and training for providers.
On tobacco and youth health, testimony supported bills to ban internet tobacco sales, strengthen youth protections, and reduce lung cancer deaths through point-of-sale information and quit-line access. A student testified about easily purchasing flavored nicotine products online without meaningful age verification, and public health advocates backed measures to keep tobacco out of children’s environments. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to ensure parents have access to their children’s medical records through age 16, with exceptions for sensitive services already protected by law.
The committee additionally took testimony on an optometry licensure bill, where ophthalmologists opposed language they said could broaden scope of practice and allow optometrists to use the title “optometric physician,” while optometry educators and students supported the bill as a modernization measure with no scope expansion. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair repeatedly reminded speakers of time limits and noted that written testimony could be submitted for additional comments.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Human Services Committee May 27th, 2026
Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- The council has also discussed that there's a need for educating our homeless providers to ensure that
- But like I said, it needs to come with an education piece so that we teach them how to use it.
- Institute for Early Childhood, both the National Association for the Education of Young Children and
- on a combination of education, work experience, and training and professional development.
- The parents or guardians must be in the workforce, in education or training, or an education or training
Committee:
Joint Human Services Committee
Summary:
The committee first approved the February 11, 2026 minutes and then received an update from the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency on the interagency council on homelessness and continuum of care funding. Testimony described rising homelessness tied to tight housing markets, low incomes, aging homelessness, barriers to rental assistance and public benefits, and limited shelter and case-management capacity. Members discussed the need for more affordable housing, continued one-time funding for the North Dakota Homeless Grant and Housing Incentive Fund, better coordination with Health and Human Services on economic assistance and human service zones, landlord engagement, recovery housing, and reentry housing. The committee also heard that federal continuum of care funding remains uncertain, with possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing and housing-first models; members asked for a future update on the impact if federal rules reduce the share available for permanent housing.
The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described current screening and service delivery, including infant referrals, regional staff, short-term programs, and collaboration with vocational rehabilitation. He said the targeted screening system is working, recommended maintaining the current model, and noted ongoing challenges with staffing, public awareness, and accessible state websites and documents. Public testimony from a visually impaired resident and a deaf resident emphasized barriers such as CAPTCHAs, inaccessible PDFs, employment forms that screen out applicants based on driver’s license status, shortages of interpreters, and the need for video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training for users and agencies.
Finally, the committee heard a final report on the study of child care provider licensing from HHS Early Childhood Director Kay Larson. The report summarized provider input and committee discussion on simplifying North Dakota’s child care licensing structure, reducing administrative burden, and balancing that with health and safety standards. Key topics included licensing categories, child care assistance eligibility, food program sponsorship, staff qualifications, training requirements, ratios and group size, age bands, and preschool exemptions. The committee’s recommendations included streamlining to three provider types plus a preschool designation, revising ratio and age-band rules, and carrying forward certain preschool outdoor-space exemptions. Larson noted that any changes would require statutory changes, rulemaking, and a transition period before new licensing rules could take effect.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Legislative Session Day 21 (2-5-26)
Kentucky House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:06:54.400><c> Assessment</c><00:06:54.800><c> and</c> the Education Assessment and the Education
- Her educational founder was just $1.50 and five students.
- </c> relating to preschool education relating to preschool education programs.<01:12:07.360><c> House
- </c> education programs. education programs.
- To primary and secondary education, 520.
Keywords:
Convene 00:00:00
Calendar/2nd Readings 00:05:55
Report of Committees 00:07:26
Orders of the Day/HB 419 00:09:02
HB 103 00:12:30
HB 276 00:37:54
HB 188 00:43:39
HB 189 00:47:11
HB 258 00:53:52
Motions, Petitions, and Communications 00:58:16
Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 01:11:11
Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 01:13:29
ConC/Rules Report 01:17:06
Adjournment 01:18:20, 958, all
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 1st, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And today that legacy continues in business, public service, education, the arts, and our military.
- Italian Americans have contributed to every corner of public life, arts, education, labor, science, and
- today to adjourn in memory of John Wesley Finney, Jr., a beloved California resident and devoted educator
- During this time, he continued his education, earning a master's degree in administrative services from
- Finney Educational Complex.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- They provide education and accountability pathways for youth cited for alcohol or cannabis possession
- They provide education and courts.
- They provide education and accountability<00:02:00.399><c> pathways</c><00:02:01.360><c> for</c><00:02
- They're joining us from across the state today to talk about their education-to-career pathways.
- They're in the gallery. to talk about their education to career to talk about their education to career
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Feb 10th, 2026 at 03:30 pm
Washington Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- In acting to Workforce Education, Investment, Accountability, and Oversight Board, administrative changes
- An act relating to the Workforce Education Investment Accountability and Oversight Board; administrative
- To ensure accountability that the investments funded from the Workforce Education Investment Account
- It works on a student emergency assistance grant program, cybersecurity enrollments, refugee education
- This is about the Workforce Education Investment Accountability and Oversight Board.
Summary:
The Senate considered Substitute Senate Bill 6184, which updates and clarifies statutes governing the Office of Homeless Youth Prevention and Protection Programs in the Department of Commerce. Supporters said the bill streamlines existing law, expands eligible housing and services for unhoused youth, supports reunification when appropriate, and removes county-based limitations so the program can continue statewide. Several amendments focused on parental notification and agency placement were offered, including proposals to move the program to DCYF and to require more direct notice to parents or law enforcement, but all were rejected after debate over safety, abuse concerns, and the role of DCYF. The bill then passed final passage by a vote of 30 yeas to 18 nays.
The Senate next took up Substitute Senate Bill 5931 concerning the Workforce Education Investment Accountability and Oversight Board. An amendment was offered to restore a public-facing data dashboard for transparency and accountability, but the sponsor withdrew it after discussion. The bill was described as making administrative changes without fiscal impact, and it passed final passage overwhelmingly, 47 yeas to 2 nays.
After the two bills were disposed of, the Senate announced a Rules Committee meeting following adjournment and then adjourned until 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 11th, the 31st Legislative Day.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- and whereas Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, played a prominent role in advancing civic education
- , constitutional literacy, and public engagement among young Americans through educational programming
- them on National Freedom Day in recognizing Charlie Kirk for his enduring contributions to civic education
- Chairman, your Committee on Education has, under consideration, HB 2008, and respectfully recommends
- Our Arizona Constitution requires that our public schools do not teach any sectarian education, and I
Summary:
The House opened with prayer led by Erica Kirk and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a proclamation sponsored by Representatives Teresa Martinez and Matt Gress recognizing Charlie Kirk on National Freedom Day. Several members then gave personal remarks honoring Kirk’s civic engagement, First Amendment advocacy, and legacy, and the chamber also welcomed the Doctor of the Day, visiting students from Carl Hayden High School, and guests from Arizona agriculture and local government.
The House then moved through Committee of the Whole action on several bills. In the first committee of the whole, HB 2091, HB 2104, and HB 2105 received do-pass recommendations, while HB 2016 and HB 2022 were retained on the calendar. In the second committee of the whole, members debated HB 2008, with supporters saying it would prevent public money from funding politically biased or sectarian library-related institutions and opponents calling it part of a broader effort to censor and defund libraries; the bill received a 33-23 do-pass recommendation. HB 2046, HB 2116, and HB 2132 also received do-pass recommendations, while HB 2142 was retained.
On third reading, HB 2148, a bill amending Title 41 to add provisions relating to federal monies, passed the House by a vote of 33-25 with two not voting and was transmitted to the Senate. The House also adopted the Committee of the Whole reports, referred several bills to engrossing, announced committee meetings and bill referrals, and adjourned until Monday, February 2, 2026.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Ethics and Elections Jan 28th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So there was something you said about educational institutions.
- Why does your bill restrict or eliminate cultural and educational exchanges and partnerships with foreign
- ...or eliminate cultural and educational exchanges and partnerships with foreign countries?
- It does not eliminate all educational partnerships. Is there a section that you?
- worked on this issue for the last five years, starting with the foreign influence in our higher education
Summary:
The committee first took up Senate Bill 1178, the Foreign Interference Restriction and Enforcement Act. Senator Grohl explained that the bill expands state restrictions and disclosure requirements related to foreign countries of concern and designated foreign terrorist organizations, including foreign-agent registration, gift bans for public officials, ethics training, procurement limits for IT and critical infrastructure, restrictions on sister-city/sister-state affiliations, changes to linkage institutes and in-state tuition provisions, and new criminal penalties for certain offenses committed to benefit foreign governments or terrorist organizations. Senator Polsky raised questions about higher education, election technology, federal FARA overlap, and whether the bill would affect candidates or events involving CARE; the sponsor responded that the bill focuses on foreign countries of concern, ownership/control, and gifts, and does not prohibit speaking at events. An amendment clarifying definitions, willful violations, and ethics-training content was adopted, and after supportive testimony from Kelly Curry and Robert Pierce, the committee reported CS for SB 1178 favorably.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 1622, which provides a one-time waiver of the automatic fine for a late-filed financial disclosure if the filing is made before the maximum fine accrues and the filer has not previously received such a waiver or accrued the maximum fine in prior years. Carrie Stillman of the Commission on Ethics testified that the bill supports transparency and makes the fine and appeals process more efficient, noting it was a commission recommendation. The bill was reported favorably.
Finally, the committee held confirmation hearings on appointments in Tabs 3 through 26. No senator requested separate votes on any appointee, no public testimony was offered, and the block of appointments was approved and recommended favorably to the full Senate.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- Now you've heard the first reading of the bill, and it is referred to the committee on education.
- and it is referred to the committee bill and it is referred to the committee on<00:11:57.600><c> education
- :06.480><c> President,</c><00:13:06.880><c> the</c><00:13:07.120><c> Senate</c><00:13:07.519><c> Education
- President, the Senate Education >> Uh, Mr.
- President, the Senate Education Committee<00:13:08.240><c> will</c><00:13:08.399><c> meet</c><00:13:08.480
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Transportation (2-19-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- to talk about it, we knew of and we have continued to see manifestations of a problem of lack of educated
- :17.320><c> of</c> manifestations of a problem of lack of manifestations of a problem of lack of educated
- educated educated Workforce<00:05:19.800><c> particularly</c><00:05:20.680><c> we</c><00:05:21.080><
- bottom part of this bill, the last few pages of the bill, instruct the Council on Postsecondary Education
- And I'd like to thank the President for offering some educational words to the people at CPE.
Keywords:
Roll Call 00:20
Approval of Minutes 01:00
SB 87 Discussion 01:23
SB 87 Vote 09:45, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes from the February 12 meeting, and then took up its only agenda item, Senate Bill 87. A committee substitute was adopted before testimony. Senator Shelley Funke Frommeyer presented the bill with representatives from CVG, describing it as an efficiency measure for Kentucky’s aviation sector.
The bill’s main provisions would streamline procurement rules for Kentucky’s three largest commercial airports by tying the acquisition threshold to the FAA’s simplified acquisition threshold, which adjusts with inflation. Testimony also explained that the bill directs the Council on Postsecondary Education and the Transportation Cabinet to study workforce needs in aviation, especially the shortage of air traffic controllers, and to examine ways Kentucky postsecondary institutions could help create a path to additional training and possibly a second site for final credentialing.
Committee members and the Senate President spoke in support of the bill’s workforce and aviation goals. The President said CPE should be doing this kind of planning without needing extra funding, and noted the bill fits CPE’s coordinating role. The chair announced the fiscal note on the underlying bill showed no impact, though it may change with the substitute. The committee then voted to report Senate Bill 87 favorably with the committee substitute attached, and adjourned after no further business.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It is home to two higher education institutions, UT Arlington and Tarrant County College Southeast Campus
- Mission ADC manages the City's Center for Education and Economic Development, a 55,000 square foot business
- They've worked to advance the field of stenographic reporting through education and advocacy.
- Members, court reporters undergo years of training and complete continuing education. throughout their
- is the Chinese Community Center, a multi-ethnic organization that serves all Houstonians through education
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Rules Feb 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Let's strive to save all children, not just one, through education.
- The future of education is unfolding, and we have an opportunity to shape it here.
- I am a retired educator, lifelong.
- I am very active in Sarasota with strengthening public education.
- I have seen what similar legislation has done to education.
Summary:
The committee took up a long agenda of retained bills and several new measures, with most receiving favorable reports after amendments. Major debate centered on CS/SB 706, which preempts airport naming to the state and designates Palm Beach International Airport as the Donald J. Trump International Airport subject to FAA and trademark-related conditions. Senator Jones offered amendments to avoid private royalty benefits, but both failed. Senators Berman, Osgood, Jones, and Pizzo spoke against the bill, raising concerns about naming an airport after a sitting president, lack of local input, and ethical issues; Senator Mayfield defended the bill as cost-free to the airport and noted the naming agreement. The committee ultimately voted the bill favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 546 on conservation land notice requirements and CS/SB 1014 on municipal utility service to properties outside city limits, both with amendments and some opposition from the Florida League of Cities on the utility bill.
Several other bills were heard and reported favorably with little controversy. CS/SB 1500 would streamline uncontested probate proceedings; SB 962 would exclude farms and farm operations from certain zoning definitions tied to affordable housing preemption; CS/SB 820 would strengthen reporting for problem-solving courts; SB 840 would revise portions of last year’s hurricane-related land-use law to narrow its scope and sunset temporary restrictions; and SB 856 would require online property listings to show estimated ad valorem taxes, with an amendment excluding social media platforms and broadening liability protections. SB 110 would clarify homestead exemption eligibility for 98-year or longer residential leases. SB 394 would exempt certain underwriting managers handling limited facultative reinsurance from licensure requirements, and SB 434 would prevent wind-hardening improvements from increasing assessed value for residential property tax purposes.
The committee also advanced several public-safety and transparency measures. CS/CS/SB 658 and 608, a combined water-safety bill, would require safety features for rental properties with pools or nearby water bodies and authorize DBPR enforcement; supporters framed it as a response to Florida’s high child-drowning rates, and Airbnb waived in support. SB 748 would place constitutional language on restoration of voting rights on sentencing score sheets, with broad support from voting-rights and civil-rights groups. CS/SB 824 would require annual reporting of unimproved school-district land inventories, and CS/SB 848 would create a framework for off-site stormwater treatment and related credits, with support from builders and mitigation bankers. The committee also heard CS/SB 1036 on school counselors, which clarifies certification requirements and performance criteria after a delete-all amendment.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- 13th as Arizona Human Trafficking Awareness Day and encourage all Arizonans to observe this day by educating
- Survivor-led and survivor-informed, this coalition brings lived experiences to the forefront, driving education
- Education. Land, Agricultural and Rural Affairs. No, HB 2198 criminal...
- HB 2203, Department of Education reporting. HB 2207, appropriations.
- The Education Committee will be meeting in House Hearing Room 1 at 2 p.m.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Committee, regarding education; and Senate Bill 1339, by the State Affairs Committee, regarding education
- But this is just set in parity that a high school education is a high school education and puts a strong
- Some of those changes have been fixed at the State Board of Education.
- It matters when we say that we want to provide parents with choice when it comes to how they educate
- House Education Committee will meet subject to call of the chair. Hawkins, chairman.
Summary:
The House convened with 66 members present, approved the journal, and received messages that several House bills had been signed by the governor and that multiple Senate bills and House bills had been transmitted, enrolled, or filed. The chamber also handled committee reports, introduced new measures, and referred several bills and resolutions to committees, including House Bill 938 and House Concurrent Resolution 37. House Concurrent Resolution 37, which urged rejection of rural health transformation funds, and House Resolution 29, which would amend House Rule 18, were sent to the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee for printing.
On third reading, the House passed House Bill 897 on data center tax exemptions and resource-use requirements, House Bill 926 expanding community infrastructure districts to counties outside city limits, House Bill 935 consolidating the Board of Denturity with the Board of Dentistry, House Concurrent Resolution 36 supporting the Idaho Air National Guard’s transition from A-10s to F-16s, and Senate Bill 1326 as amended, a property-rights/open-fields bill limiting warrantless entry onto private land while preserving certain law-enforcement and welfare-check exceptions. House Bill 842, a property-tax and budget-limit bill revising the earlier 389 framework, failed on a 28-41 vote. House Bill 910 was returned to committee.
Later, the House passed Senate Bill 1258 allowing rural distilleries to serve their own products without a restaurant requirement, Senate Bill 1387 on the State Historical Society budget, Senate Bill 1388 on Department of Correction enhancements, Senate Bill 1262 clarifying insurer investment rules, Senate Bill 1285 as amended recognizing nonpublic-school diplomas for licensing purposes, Senate Bill 1250 expanding protections for death-scene photographs, Senate Bill 1260 revising immigration-related enforcement language, Senate Bill 1311 requiring ignition-interlock vendors to notify authorities of violations, Senate Bill 1369 changing venue rules so lawsuits may be filed where an incident occurred, and Senate Bill 1303 expanding eligible uses of energy royalties to additional energy resources. Senate Bill 1382, the Fish and Game budget, failed on a 32-36 vote after debate over wolf depredation funding and federal funds. The House also considered Senate Joint Memorial 11 urging protection of public lands from mass disposal; debate focused on access, land exchanges, and the fiscal effects of federal land ownership, but the transcript cuts off before the final vote is recorded.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Ways and Means Mar 10th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Do I want to fund early childhood education? Do I want to fund more health care opportunities?
- Education accounts, I think there's like merging of the funds, but then also I guess all of that kind
- Higher education is 10.8%, health care is 27%, and K through 12 education, largely due to the Minimum
- Higher education at 10.8% health care at 27% and K through 12 education largely due to the minimum foundation
- billion is the Department of Education. $3.8 billion of that is the Department of Education, $2.1 billion
Summary:
The House Ways and Means Committee met on March 10, 2026, for a series of informational presentations rather than bill hearings. House Fiscal Division staff reviewed the state’s tax structure, the 2024 third special session tax reform package, and the Revenue Estimating Conference process. They explained the move to a 3% flat individual income tax, a 5.5% flat corporate income tax, the higher standard deduction and retirement-income exclusion, the repeal of several deductions and credits, the repeal of the corporate franchise tax, and the expansion of the sales tax base to certain digital goods. Staff also walked through tax exemption data, showing the size of exemptions relative to collections, and discussed forecasted revenue gaps in the out years, including the effect of the scheduled sales tax rate reduction and the return of transportation-related revenues to their prior dedication.
Members asked about declining mineral revenues, digital sales tax collections, corporate collections, and the impact of tax credits and exemptions. Division of Administration and Legislative Fiscal Office staff said lower oil and gas prices, long-term production declines, and the timing of corporate payments were major factors in revenue trends, and that it will take at least another year or two of tax returns to fully understand the reform’s effects. They emphasized that corporate collections are still below the $600 million threshold that affects the state general fund and Revenue Stabilization Fund, though the forecast remains $900 million. The committee also discussed surplus and excess revenues, the distinction between discretionary and non-discretionary spending, and how current-year and prior-year balances are allocated under the constitution.
A significant portion of the meeting focused on the relationship between Ways and Means and Appropriations. Chairman McFarland stressed that new fiscal-note bills can force cuts elsewhere if revenue is not available, and urged members to coordinate early with fiscal staff before advancing costly legislation. Members also asked how pending constitutional amendments on teacher pay and inventory tax might affect the budget; staff said the teacher stipend proposal is not currently funded in the executive budget and that the inventory tax proposal would mainly affect local governments and any reimbursements from the Revenue Stabilization Fund if approved. The committee then heard from Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bouchoux, who reported strong results from recent reforms, including $92 billion in capital investment, 37,000 new jobs, a record year of announcements, a top-10 corporate tax climate ranking, and a pipeline of 189 active projects representing nearly 42,000 potential jobs and $280 billion in potential investment. Members praised LED’s work and discussed the need to pair economic development with workforce training, infrastructure, and predictable tax policy.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Thirty Three - Thursday, March 5
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Missouri ranks fourth worst in the U.S. for early education, with those low ratings being for access
- Education Week assigned Missouri a C-minus in school finance.
- And so that's what we did in your committee on elementary and secondary education.
- So in committee, I think it was about a party-line vote coming out of the education committee.
- It is time for Missouri to join them and support our students' education. Thank you.
Summary:
The Missouri House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior day’s journal 117-1, and held several points of personal privilege and guest introductions. Members recognized Women Legislators of Missouri for raising $100,000 for scholarships, honored fallen officer James Anthony Mitchell, Sr. with a moment of silence, welcomed the Blair Oaks state championship football team, visiting students from Bakersfield, Kirbyville, and Raymondville, hospital representatives promoting healthy eating, a former member of the House, and several interns.
The chamber then took up committee reports and a supplemental budget measure, House Bill 2014. The budget chairman explained the Senate substitute made limited changes, including removing funding for the capital commission and a D.C. promotional event, restoring $600,000 for an agriculture fee fund, and adding $14 million for tobacco settlement shortfalls. He also noted major funding for MoDOT, disaster relief, and rural health care. The House adopted the Senate substitute 135-14 and finally passed the bill 137-13.
Members next debated and passed House Bill 2559, the Raines Act, which would require more legislative review of rules with fiscal impacts; supporters framed it as reining in bureaucracy, while opponents said it would add delay and another layer of government. It passed 103-44. The House also passed House Bill 2710 on school accountability and A-F report cards for schools and districts after extensive debate over transparency, local control, and whether the bill would unfairly label schools; it passed 96-53. Other bills passed included HB 2404/2172 on repurposing unused school buildings (91-54), HB 1797 on alternative CPA licensure pathways (142-0), HB 1786 increasing Highway Patrol vehicle revolving fund spending authority (139-4), HB 2105 on water/sewer billing transparency for tenants (129-9), HB 2397 giving water district boards flexibility on dissolution thresholds and ballot language (130-15), HB 2108 conveying land to address a Jefferson City viaduct/emergency access issue (143-1), HB 2818 allowing St. Joseph to annex an airport it has owned since 1942 (137-8), and HB 1980 expanding peer review protections to emergency medical professionals, which was introduced and discussed near the end of the transcript.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 827 referred to Education. March 4th, 2026, Mr.
- Speaker, we are committee on education report that we have had under consideration House Bill 785 and
- Now, I will point out that this does not give anybody the right not to educate their children.
- So. educate the rest of the body and not the gentleman next to me. So with that, Mr.
- House Education Committee will meet Friday, March 6 at 8.30 a.m. Room EW 41, Hawkins Chairman.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 1357, by the State Affairs Committee, an act relating to education, to establish provisions
- Senate Bill 1358, by the State Affairs Committee, an act relating to education, to revise provisions
- Senate Bill 1317, by the Education Committee, an act relating to education.
- Senate Bill 1317, by the Education Committee, an act relating to education, to provide legislative findings
- Senators, in 1975, Congress passed a bill called the Individuals with Disability Education Act.
Summary:
The Senate opened with roll call, prayer, and approval of the corrected journal, then received committee reports and House messages before moving into floor action on several bills. Among the measures introduced and referred were bills on housing, education, machine guns, cash rounding, virtual currency kiosk fraud prevention, unauthorized workers, and other State Affairs topics. The Senate also took up a number of third-reading bills, including Senate Bill 1314 on Health and Welfare board structures, Senate Bill 1316 on newborn screening exemptions, Senate Bill 1301 on brewer retail taprooms, Senate Bill 1331 on a broad rescission/appropriations reduction package, Senate Bill 1332 on cash transfers to balance the budget, and later Senate Bill 1308 on mediation and Senate Bill 1309 on juvenile corrections.
Senate Bill 1314 drew the most substantive debate early in the meeting. Supporters said it would eliminate outdated board structures in the Department of Health and Welfare and regional behavioral health boards that no longer served a necessary function, while opponents argued the boards still provided public accountability, regional input, and transparency, especially for behavioral health services. The bill passed 28-7. Senate Bill 1316, which updated exemption language for newborn screenings to align with other Idaho law and clarify parental rights, passed unanimously 35-0. Senate Bill 1301, allowing small brewers to expand from one to two remote taproom locations, passed 31-4 after supporters framed it as a free-market and small-business measure.
The most contentious vote was on Senate Bill 1331, the rescission bill reducing fiscal year 2026 appropriations by about $192.7 million, including cuts to general fund, federal, and dedicated funds, along with reductions in FTEs and some program funding. Supporters said it was needed to balance the budget amid revenue uncertainty and that agencies had been asked where to make the additional 1% cuts; opponents criticized the bill as an across-the-board, opaque “Christmas tree” approach that cut lean and bloated agencies alike and created confusion about specific reductions. After extended debate, the bill passed narrowly 18-17. Senate Bill 1332, which transferred money from several funds back to the General Fund to help balance the budget, also drew criticism for shifting money from programs such as Launch, water pollution control, and building projects, but it passed 26-9. Later, Senate Bill 1308 passed 35-0 and Senate Bill 1309 passed 35-0 with little opposition. The Senate then returned to other business, introduced Senate Bill 1361 on public safety appropriations, and began consideration of Senate Bill 1300, which would change confirmation and appointment provisions for certain state agency directors.