Transcript Highlights:

• We have Senator Jane English and Representative Mary Bentley.
• Senator Jane English. Jill Thayer, Bureau of Legislative Research.
• I'm excited about this group, and they've been very effective, and so with that we'll let Senator English
• I'm excited about this group and they've been very effective and so with that we'll let Senator English

Summary: The Executive Subcommittee met and first considered a waiver request from the Stuttgart School District to use the TIPS interlocal purchasing system for a turf replacement project instead of the traditional competitive bid process. Superintendent Jeff McKinney explained that three bids were received but none fully met the RFP specifications, including warranty and insurance requirements. He said the district, with its architect’s guidance, determined that United Turf and Track was the best option because it met the 10-year warranty requirement, had resolved the insurance issue, had prior experience with the district, and could complete the work in time for summer installation. The committee approved the waiver request. Members then approved a consultant services agreement between the Bureau of Legislative Research and WorkEd Consulting for work related to the workforce system study and potential legislation for the 2027 session. Senator Jane English and Representative Mary Bentley said the consultant would help the legislature develop reforms after prior audit findings showed the current workforce system was inefficient and ineffective. They noted WorkEd’s experience in other states, including Louisiana, West Virginia, Mississippi, and Virginia, and explained that some subcontractors would include people who had worked on the earlier Georgia Center for Opportunity study. The contract was approved. The committee also approved a renewed actuarial and consultant services agreement with Perrin Knight for services related to the state’s new property insurance captive. Jill Thayer said the contract would provide independent actuarial support to legislative subcommittees, especially the State Insurance Properties Oversight Subcommittee, with services billed only as used. Members asked about budgeting, frequency of work, and overlap with existing executive branch contractors; Thayer and Senator Goodmore said the service had been anticipated from the start and would be separate and independent. Finally, Marty Garrity requested use of committee room funds to renovate Committee Room C in the Big Mac Building because its audio-visual equipment is outdated. That request was approved, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Senator Jane English and Representative Mary Bentley. No questions.
• We have Senator Jane English and Representative Mary Bentley. And Miss Thayer.
• Representative Mary Bentley, Senator Jane English, Jill Thayer, Bureau of Legislative Research.
• And so with that, we'll let Senator English and Jill share some details.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As a former K-12 educator, I consider myself forever an English teacher, technology instructional coach
• The state currently mandates in the English language arts standards that early educators teach specific
• organization, and I founded the organization in 2019 after spending 25 years in the classroom as an English
• organization and founded the organization in 2019 after spending 25 years in the classroom as an English
• As a person who taught English for several decades, we have to... ...that we adopted a curriculum that

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The kids that were in math are now in English.
• The kids that were in English are now in math, and vice versa with science and social studies.
• So the kids that are in English, every kid that's in class has a one-on-one online with their English
• Has a one-on-one online with their English teacher, with a paraprofessional certified in a subject, may
• not be English, but in a subject, in the classroom, to give them that support.

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the clerks of court. FDLE outlined 28 legislative budget requests for fiscal year 2026-27, including funding for a new Fort Myers regional operations center lease, technology and data system upgrades, moving several programs off uncertain federal grants, expanding the wellness office, cryptocurrency seizure efforts, cybersecurity, forensic equipment, digital forensics, criminal history modernization, training, and the SAFE fentanyl enforcement program. Members asked about the reported 79% increase in officer misconduct cases, the role of body cameras and masking, public records request burdens on local agencies, and the status of Fibers and the Uniform Arrest Affidavit systems. FDLE said the misconduct data covers all sworn officers and corrections personnel, that many cases would not be affected by body cameras because they involve off-duty conduct or internal matters, and that it is working with agencies and vendors to improve participation in reporting systems. DJJ Secretary Matt Walsh updated the committee on the Florida Scholars Academy, describing the new unified education system across 39 residential facilities. He reported first-year enrollment, course completions, graduations, and compliance results, and said the program now provides in-person and blended instruction, individualized support, mental health services, and career and technical education. He also discussed staffing shortages in some detention facilities, the need for more residential beds, and the importance of recognizing and supporting staff. In response to questions, he explained how the program addresses students with disabilities and behavioral needs through one-on-one instruction, paraprofessionals, and immediate mental health support. The clerks of court presented a budget request centered on funding shortfalls and rising costs. Clerk and Comptroller Stacey Butterfield said clerks are operating with outdated funding levels despite increased statutory duties, higher postage and staffing costs, and growing workloads in priority case types such as injunctions for protection and other high-risk matters. The clerks requested $22 million in direct appropriations, including support for due process costs, jury management, and staffing for 37 new judges approved last session. Members also asked about Senate Bill 532, which Butterfield described as a CPI-based measure to update court fines and fees that have remained unchanged since 2008. The committee took no votes on the presentations and adjourned after discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• of non-English tools?
• of note that I would like to see how we can be supportive, especially for someone that is learning English
• Now, being a mom to a child who is an English speaker in a dual language immersion program, I see the
• Being an English speaker transitioning to another language is challenging.
• English, such as Spanish, Karen, Somali, and all the East African languages.

Bills: HF2430, HF2433

Keywords: education finance, teacher training, Read Act, state aid, school funding, education funding, children with disabilities, transition aid, special education, school district consolidation

Transcript Highlights:

• The vast majority of children in this community are black and Latino and English learners.
• language arts and English language development.
• I spent over 20 years teaching in special education and English learner education.
• Yet they are not counted in the same way as English learners or low-income students so they miss out
• In schools with large numbers of English learners or students from low-income families the resources

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What proficiency rate do we have on English? Actually, I have that at my desk. Oh, do you? Yeah.
• I was an English major. I think I turned out okay. I still don't earn a lot, though.
• In 2013 and 2014, our literacy rate for English language arts was 80%. Today, it's 40%, a 50% cut.
• We can't even raise our English language test on ILEARN one point. We can't raise it one point.
• We can't even raise our English language test on I learn one point. We can't raise it one point.

Keywords: 964, all

Transcript Highlights:

• current definition of a low-performing school would be within the bottom 10% of student performance in English
• environment that is in the top 10 of performance, we shouldn't just have that being a both math or English
• If they're in a situation where their English scores are persistently low-performing in the bottom 10%
• students that are otherwise in low-performing schools in the bottom 10% of student performance for English
• Persistently low-performing school in the bottom 10% of performance for math and English.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met with a quorum present and took up several education bills. SB 1150, which would remove an unrelated exam barrier for school social workers to help districts retain them, was briefly explained and reported favorably. The committee then heard SB 1514 on anaphylaxis in public schools, which would require emergency action plans and training for school personnel; amendments narrowed and clarified the bill, including applicability to K-8 schools and FDA-approved epinephrine devices. Orange County Public Schools waived in support, and CS/CS/SB 1514 was reported favorably. The committee spent the most time on SB 1708, which expands Schools of Hope and creates a co-location framework allowing high-performing charter operators to share space in underused public school facilities, with the sponsor explaining that agreements would address safety, supervision, grade levels, emergency protocols, and liability. Members raised concerns about who would be served, lottery access, accountability, and whether the bill would worsen inequities or strain public schools; many public speakers opposed the bill on similar grounds, arguing it would divert resources from already underfunded schools. The sponsor clarified that Schools of Hope recruitment is exempt from lottery, that the bill would not use classrooms already in use, and that districts would receive $600 per student plus associated funding for vacant space. Despite mixed debate, CS for SB 1708 was reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered CS/SB 822, which updates charter school governance by limiting sponsor-imposed deadlines, preventing enrollment caps below facility capacity, improving data sharing, and allowing high-performing charter schools to assume existing charters. A charter school advocate supported the bill as a fairness and efficiency measure, while senators pressed him on claims of district “harassment” and the basis for the bill’s deadline changes. After brief debate, CS/SB 822 was reported favorably. The meeting ended with members recording votes on prior tabs and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• temporary or emergency permits or those without certification, teachers of specific subjects like English
• of experience, teachers were reported as being least prepared to teach students who were limited English
• I don't know if there are any schools that give, like, a special incentive if you teach English learners
• , or, you know, your classroom is filled with English learners, et cetera, or in special ed, to have
• In other words, is there specialized coursework within a teacher prep program that addresses English

Summary: The committee first approved the May 18 meeting minutes and then received a presentation from Legislative Audit on Arkansas Department of Education grant distributions. Auditors explained that the fiscal year 2025 report summarizes $4.6 billion in grants from state, federal, and miscellaneous sources, across school districts, charter schools, education cooperatives, and other entities, and that the report only shows amounts distributed, not how recipients ultimately used the money. Members asked about specific recipients and programs, including ClassWallet, Economics Arkansas, and CDC surveillance funding; department staff clarified that the Economics Arkansas grant is written into special language and that the CDC-related funding supports student surveys used by state agencies. Questions also focused on bonus and incentive programs such as master principal and National Board Certified teacher bonuses, with department staff saying the bonuses are generally tied to completion of the program or certification rather than classroom performance, though they would follow up on details. The committee then heard a Bureau of Legislative Research update on Consumer Price Index projections from Moody’s Analytics and S&P Global. Dr. Carlos Silva explained the difference between CPI-U and core CPI and said the estimates show inflation slowing over the forecast period, with some near-term variation between the two data providers. Members asked about the historical accuracy of prior projections, and he said the forecasts generally tend to move toward about 2 percent over time, though recent shocks have caused earlier estimates to understate actual inflation. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to the final adequacy report on teacher recruitment, retention, and salaries. BLR staff reviewed Arkansas teacher demographics, shortage areas, educator preparation pipelines, licensure exceptions, survey results from teachers and principals, and teacher support programs. They reported that Arkansas had about 32,800 teachers and 473,000 students in 2025, with an average of 11.9 years of experience and a slight increase in National Board Certified teachers. The report found shortages in multiple subject areas, especially special education, math, science, foreign language, and social studies, and identified 65 districts as high-need geographically. Survey results showed school leadership as the strongest positive factor in recruitment and retention, while workload and salary were the biggest negatives; 30 percent of responding teachers said they were considering leaving the profession. The committee also reviewed teacher salary data showing a statewide average salary of $60,254 in 2025, Arkansas ranking 45th nationally by NEA methodology, and a long-term inflation-adjusted decline in district salaries, though LEARNS Act increases improved the trend. Members asked for additional follow-up information on survey methodology, alternative licensure costs, coursework, incentives for ESL and special education endorsements, exit data, and how salary comparisons are calculated.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Senator Jane English and Representative Mary Bentley.
• Senator Jane English. Jill Thayer, Bureau of Legislative Research.
• I'm excited about this group, and they've been very effective, and so with that we'll let Senator English
• I'm excited about this group and they've been very effective and so with that we'll let Senator English

Summary: The Executive Subcommittee met and first considered a waiver request from the Stuttgart School District to use the TIPS interlocal purchasing system for a turf replacement project instead of a traditional competitive bid. Superintendent Jeff McKinney explained that three bids were received but none fully met the RFP specifications, including warranty and insurance requirements. After review by the district’s architect, the committee approved the waiver request by voice vote. The committee then approved a consultant services agreement between the Bureau of Legislative Research and Work Ed Consulting to support the Hospital Medicaid Developmental Disability Subcommittee’s study under Act 145. Legislators said the consultant would help develop workforce-system reform legislation for the 2027 session, and noted the firm’s experience in other states. The contract runs through June 30, 2027, with a maximum amount of $158,000, and was approved without opposition. Next, the committee approved an actuarial and consultant services agreement with Perrin Knight to provide ongoing actuarial support for the state property insurance captive and related legislative oversight work. Bureau staff said the contract would run from April 1 through December 31, 2027, with a maximum amount of $475,000, though only actual hours and travel would be billed. Members asked about budgeting, invoice timing, and overlap with other insurance consultants, and the agreement was approved. Finally, the committee approved using Bureau committee room funds to renovate Committee Room C in the Big Mac Building, citing outdated audiovisual equipment and the need to update the room to match other recent renovations before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bottoms, Bradfield, Bradley, Brooks, Brown, Caldwell, Camacho, Carter, Clifford, DeGraaf, Duran, English
• Representative<00:15:41.519> English<00:15:41.920> is<00:15:42.240> excused.
• Representative English is excused. Representative English is excused. Espinosa. Espinosa.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with the pledge of allegiance led by Minority Leader Caldwell, followed by a performance of the national anthem by Kristen Cand, a guest of Assistant Minority Leader Winter. The clerk then called the roll and a quorum was established, with several members noted as excused. Representative Slaugh, a new legislator, briefly joked about being put on the spot before moving approval of the journal from the previous day; the motion was adopted. The Speaker announced that the chamber would soon host a joint session to hear a message from Governor Polis under Senate Joint Resolution 2. A committee to escort the governor was named as Representatives Martinez, Smith, and Bottoms. The Majority Leader then instructed members to wear orange lanyards provided by State Patrol as an additional form of identification for the joint session, and explained that the House would recess for a security sweep of the chamber and gallery. The House agreed to stand in recess until after the joint session, with members asked to return by 10:45 a.m. wearing the lanyards. No legislation was debated or voted on beyond approval of the journal and the recess motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if a kid just decides to miss English because they really don't like the class, so they come late
• has to drop them from the English class.
• > they<00:50:54.559> really<00:50:54.800> don't miss English because they really
• them from the English class. them from the English class.
• <00:51:14.400> They credit for their English class. They credit for their English class.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Over 90% qualify for free and reduced-price lunch. 75% are English learners.
• At Risen Christ, students learn both English and Spanish, opening doors for them and for their whole
• <00:59:24.880> Many<00:59:25.200> of lunch. 75% are English learners.
• Many of lunch. 75% are English learners.
• doors both English and Spanish, opening doors for<00:59:39.520> them<00:59:39.680> and

Bills: HF1388

Keywords: BARR Center, Building Assets, Reducing Risks, education finance, school funding, grant appropriation, evidence-based program, student achievement, social and emotional learning, school climate, teacher effectiveness, high school graduation, students in poverty, students of color, BIPOC, equity in education, Minnesota Department of Education, urban schools, suburban schools, rural schools, school coaching

Transcript Highlights:

• who'll ya, a Benson Tohey, a co-talker, in World War II, Arizona State University, the financial English
• So, Arizona State University, the Banish, the English Department. Go on there.
• I worked at Arizona State University as a professor in the English department, and I retired.
• My grandmother didn't speak English. Thank you.
• My grandmother didn't speak English, but she was able to support her family by her weaving.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Arizona House and Senate held the joint protocol session for the 31st Annual Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day, opening with a tribal blessing, presentation of the colors, the national anthem, and the Pledge of Allegiance. House Speaker Steve Montenegro and Senate President Warren Petersen welcomed tribal leaders, elders, and guests, emphasizing the importance of government-to-government collaboration, tribal sovereignty, and the role of Arizona’s 22 federally recognized tribes in issues such as water, energy, infrastructure, public safety, and economic development. The tribal address was delivered by Fort Mojave Chairman Timothy Williams, who focused heavily on Colorado River water rights, drought, climate change, and the need to include tribes in any future river management framework as current guidelines expire. He also discussed tribal economic development, education, public safety, border security, and the importance of protecting culture, language, land, and water. Thana Autumn Nation Chairman Verlin Jose similarly stressed unity, tribal sovereignty, border issues, water stewardship, and the economic impact of tribal gaming, arguing that tribes should be full partners in state and federal policy discussions and opposing a fixed border wall. Dr. Laura Tohi of the Navajo Nation gave a poetry reading and spoke about her background, the importance of language and oral tradition, and her role as Arizona State Poet Laureate. Her poems centered on food, water, weaving, and homeland. The session concluded with closing remarks from legislative leaders thanking participants for their perspectives and contributions, and the joint protocol session was dissolved. No votes or formal legislative actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill will improve language access for lawfully registered voters who self-identify as limited English
• State has the highest percentage of households, 43.3%, that are proficient in a language other than English
• poll stated that 70% of California voters support providing language access to voters with limited English
• Fifty percent of California voters support providing language access to voters with limited English proficiency
• inclusive democracy in California that makes voting accessible even if a voter is not proficient in English

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• reason why any kid should be looking at their phone when they're supposed to be learning math or English
• reason why any kid should be looking at their phone when they're supposed to be learning math or English
• reason why any kid should be looking at their phone when they're supposed to be learning math or English
• Thank you very, very much. supposed to be uh learning math or supposed to be uh learning math or English
• > that's<00:18:03.559> that's<00:18:03.799> the<00:18:04.480> someone English

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Rep. Zach Stevenson and Sen. Mann presented Minnesota legislation aimed at requiring warning labels on social media platforms, modeled on the Surgeon General’s recommendation, and adding pop-up notifications every 30 minutes to show users how long they have been on a platform. They argued that social media use is linked to serious mental health harms among youth, including anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, self-harm, and suicidal ideation, and said the bill is part of a broader effort to add guardrails on big tech. They also referenced related Minnesota efforts on deepfakes, child influencers, platform-use disclosures, and a separate effort to remove cell phones from classrooms. The hearing featured emotional testimony from parents Bridget Noring and Tabitha Urbansky, who described losing sons to fentanyl poisoning after drugs were arranged through Snapchat. Both said social media platforms can function as drug markets and that warning labels and other restrictions could help prevent similar tragedies. Eric Mishy of SAVE and the Kids Campaign also testified in support, saying social media is contributing to anxiety, depression, suicide, sextortion, trafficking, bullying, and drug sales, and that companies have not done enough to stop these harms. In response to a question about the pop-up feature, Stevenson said the idea is new in Minnesota but similar to “are you still watching” prompts on streaming services, intended to add friction and interrupt addictive use. He and others said no state had yet enacted similar warning-label laws, though several have proposed them, and they emphasized that regulating technology companies is difficult because of their resources and lobbying power. No vote or formal committee action was taken in the transcript, though the bill was scheduled for a House Commerce Committee hearing the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• we just don't want to see any kind of degradation of of those kind of core courses, math, science, English
• We have concerns about replacing a core course, so English, math, science... ...or history with one of
• Now, you need to take at least some minimum math, English, and so forth.
• take all those in CTE. courses, but it also allows the commissioner, let's say you got to have four English
• , well it allows him to take one the fourth English and replace it with an English from whatever course

Bills: HB20, HB 120, HB20, HB120

Keywords: applied sciences, career education, high school diploma, certificate program, work-based learning, job placement, high-growth jobs, technical training, career readiness, education reform, workforce training, public schools, financial aid, fraudulent solicitation, disaster relief, nonprofit organizations, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud prevention, charitable donations

Transcript Highlights:

• Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismang, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore
• Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismang, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore
• Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismang, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore
• Roll call continued: Davis; Dees; Dismang; Dotson; English; Flippo; Flowers; Gilmore; Hammer; Hester;

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And she plans to major in the English language.
• And she plans to ma major<00:16:37.920> in<00:16:38.079> the<00:16:38.240> English
• <00:16:39.120> if<00:16:39.360> we<00:16:39.440> can major in the English language
• . if we can major in the English language. if we can please<00:16:39.839> welcome<00:16:40.079

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The composition of the budget subcommittee number seven on accountability and oversight is very eclectic
• The composition of the budget subcommittee number seven on accountability and oversight is very eclectic

Keywords: 988, house, all