Transcript Highlights:

• So it's not the Wild, Wild West if we allow this to happen.
• </c> it's not the Wild Wild West if we allow it's not the Wild Wild West if we allow this<00:46:19.800
• </c> operating Revenue the national average operating Revenue the national average is is is 2.15%<01:
• </c><01:33:31.520><c> to</c> happening if the hospital is allowed to happening if the hospital is allowed
• </c> part of what Senate bill 14 is it allows part of what Senate bill 14 is it allows the<01:38:50.760

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and took up House Bill 785, as amended by a committee substitute that combined language from HB 785 and HB 787. The bill was described as addressing Medicaid managed care organization (MCO) audits, provider contract notice and amendment procedures, mental health parity compliance, and related transparency requirements. Supporters said the measure would tighten notice to providers, limit repeated contract amendments and rate reductions, require more standardized audit procedures, and add reporting on Medicaid claims, appeals, and grievances. It also includes a provision requiring coverage of at least two evaluation-and-management billable services per physician per recipient per date of service, and a section addressing narcotic/opioid treatment program licensing and reimbursement language. Testimony in support came from Representative Kim Moore, John Inman of BrightView Health, Michelle Sandborne of the Children’s Alliance, and Kelly Cormic of RYSE. They argued that MCOs often use audits and recoupments in ways that are burdensome, opaque, and financially damaging to providers, especially smaller and rural ones. They cited examples of multiple audit requests in short timeframes, large record requests with short deadlines, delayed or absent feedback, and recoupments taken before appeals are resolved. They also said parity laws are not being consistently enforced and that the bill would give the Department of Insurance authority to suspend or revoke an MCO certificate of authority for willful or repeated parity violations. Committee members generally expressed support for provider protections and transparency, while asking for clarification on the narcotic treatment and E/M billing provisions. Tom Stevens of the Kentucky Association of Health Plans testified in opposition, saying the bill is complex to implement and should be handled through the broader Medicaid oversight work of House Bill 9, the MOAB. He said the issues raised were better suited for that bipartisan stakeholder process and noted the committee substitute had not yet been fully reviewed by his group. After discussion, the committee adopted the committee substitute and then moved to a vote on the bill; the roll call began, with several members recorded as voting yes, but the transcript cuts off before the final vote result is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• cost, which reflects the average cost of those services.
• So you can be in a family and have an average cost employer policy of $27,000. ...and have an average
• The plan has to allow it. The plan has to allow it. The parent is not forced to do it.
• Everyone paid the same amount.
• So there's a huge amount of consolidation.

Committee: House Health Care Affordability, Select

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think you said the average was $7 billion.
• So I think you said the average was $7 billion.
• So I think you said the average was $7 billion.
• We are not above the national average.
• And the average disenrollment rate for this cohort...

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee held an oversight hearing on the impacts of H.R. 1 on California’s safety net, focusing on Medi-Cal and CalFresh. The chair and vice chair framed the discussion around major federal changes to work requirements, eligibility redeterminations, immigrant eligibility, and financing rules, while noting the state’s own structural budget deficit and the need for a second hearing later in March on county and safety-net impacts. The first panel included the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the Department of Finance, the UC Berkeley Labor Center, and the Food Research and Action Center. LAO and Finance described H.R. 1 as driving major enrollment losses and cost shifts. LAO estimated that Medi-Cal work requirements and six-month redeterminations could affect 3.5 million people, with 1 to 2 million potentially disenrolled, while CalFresh changes could subject more than 800,000 people to work requirements and cause over 600,000 to lose food assistance. They also highlighted new ineligibility for certain non-citizens, reduced federal matching for emergency Medi-Cal services, tighter provider tax rules, and higher state and county administrative costs for CalFresh. Finance said the governor’s budget reflects about $1.4 billion in new General Fund costs in 2026-27 and a $2.4 billion reduction in federal funds, with larger out-year impacts and up to 2 million Medi-Cal disenrollments by 2029-30. The UC Berkeley Labor Center projected up to 3 million Californians could lose full-scope Medi-Cal by 2028 when H.R. 1 is combined with state budget changes, though it said the state could limit losses by choosing not to apply some new requirements to state-funded populations and by keeping some immigrants in full-scope state-funded coverage. The Food Research and Action Center argued that CalFresh cuts and time limits would increase hunger, homelessness risk, and health costs, while also hurting local economies and increasing administrative burden. Committee members from both parties questioned the fiscal sustainability of Medi-Cal growth, the 11% CalFresh error rate and possible $2 billion penalty, county indigent care costs, and the effect of work requirements; several Democratic members argued the federal changes and state cuts would disproportionately harm low-income Californians, immigrants, and communities of color, while Republican members emphasized program growth, work incentives, and the need for budget restraint. No votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ultimately, a new concept regarding the maximum allowable.
• Our highest district average—what a district average is—if a school district has 10 FMARs in their system
• One of their charter schools takes an average over all those four FMARs, resulting in a district average
• We have to come up with methods to reduce that amount of money and that use.
• It allows districts to access these systems and look at their platform.

Committee: House Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• So that amounts... That we have down in South Louisiana, so that amounts to $635,000.
• I mean, it allows us as a state to operate within that purview, but allows us the opportunity without
• It won't, but it allows us the opportunity to do that.
• Use of groundwater, the amount.
• I'm going to find the budget and amount for that fund.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee first heard the FY27 executive budget review for Louisiana Economic Development (LED). House Fiscal outlined a $59.4 million LED budget, with major funding from state general fund, self-generated revenue, federal funds, and a marketing dedication, and explained reductions tied largely to the removal of one-time funding and carryforwards. The Secretary highlighted recent economic development results, including major capital investment announcements, job creation, the high-impact jobs program, Louisiana Fast Sites, and efforts to support existing businesses and small business growth. Members repeatedly asked for clearer public-facing materials on the tax and economic benefits of incentives, the use of the entertainment development fund, the structure of the high-impact jobs and Fast Sites programs, and how LED competes with other states. LED also discussed its Storyteller Initiative, regional project distribution, and the role of major events and film-related incentives. The committee then reviewed Louisiana Works’ FY27 budget of $352.7 million. Staff explained that the budget is driven mainly by federal funds and statutory dedications, with changes largely attributable to the One Door to Work Act and the transfer of workforce functions and positions into the department. The Secretary noted a planned $5 million move for the Louisiana STEM Council and a small request for elevator repairs, and members discussed the unemployment insurance trust fund’s improved balance, which lowered employer tax rates and increased benefits. Questions focused on workforce shortages, coordination with LCTCS and other training partners, the new Louisiana Talent Accelerator and workforce modernization efforts, the need for marketing to attract workers back to Louisiana, and remaining gaps in funding for rehabilitation services and disability employment programs. Finally, the committee took up the Department of Conservation and Energy’s FY27 budget of $201.3 million. Staff described decreases tied to the end of the Solar for All grant, lower orphan well spending as prior balances were drawn down, and reductions in some one-time funding and interagency transfers. The Secretary said the department’s reorganization is now largely complete and emphasized a focus on eliminating duplicative functions, strengthening enforcement and permitting, and using available funds more efficiently. Members questioned the reduction in orphan well funding, the impact of the Solar for All repeal, the use of settlement dollars, and the department’s plans for AI-assisted permitting and modernization of the Sunrise database. They also discussed ongoing work on seismic activity in Red River Parish, commercial fishermen’s claims for gear damaged by energy infrastructure, and efforts to improve financial security requirements for operators so future orphan well liabilities are better covered.

Transcript Highlights:

• And their average loss time went down 34%. Medical costs down by 30%.
• So this is only the protocol of what treatment is going to be allowed.
• per claim in the rest, if you look at the national average.
• It's just to allow leave and no pay. So the mandate pairs up on FMLA.
• Ronald Marshall, if y'all would allow me, to allow him to speak a little bit on the bill as well.

Committee: House Labor & Industrial Relations

Summary: The committee first disposed of several measures without debate, including deferrals of House Bill 460, House Bill 561, Senate Bill 322, and another deferred Senate measure, before taking up House Bill 819 by Chairman Cruz. HB 819 would replace Louisiana’s current workers’ compensation medical treatment schedule with ODG by MCG, a private evidence-based guideline system used in other states. Cruz and Troy Prevo argued ODG is more comprehensive, updated more frequently, and could reduce claim duration, medical costs, and premium rates; Dr. Jason Picard said Louisiana already uses ODG as a secondary reference for gaps in the state schedule and that the bill would not change appeals or variance procedures. Opponents, including injured-worker advocates Joseph Jola St. and Robin Crumholt, argued Louisiana’s current guidelines are working, that ODG is more cost-cutting and insurer-driven, and that the bill could increase denials and delay care. Members discussed amendments to add a two-year sunset, allow tacit approval when treatment follows the schedule, require payment within 30 days, and raise the carrier’s burden to challenge care; the committee adopted the amendments and then reported HB 819 favorably by a 7-6 vote. The committee then began Senate Bill 409 by Senator Myers, the Louisiana Living Donor Leave Protection Act. The bill would provide paid leave protections for living organ donors, set eligibility and verification procedures, and prohibit forfeiture of leave in certain circumstances for private employers. Myers said the measure is intended to remove job and paycheck barriers for people willing to donate organs and to support better transplant outcomes. Technical amendments were adopted at the start of the presentation, and the bill was introduced for further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• We’re much higher than the national average.
• We're allowed to put on 30 or 40 hours on any brand-new equipment.
• We also looked at waiver amounts.
• We are seeing much higher Pell Grant eligibility and higher amounts.
• They have to maintain that 3.5 grade point average.

Summary: The committee met at North Dakota State College of Science for a presentation from President Flanagan and campus leaders on the college’s mission, enrollment growth, workforce programs, facilities needs, and industry partnerships. Flanagan highlighted student success in national competitions, strong placement and retention, the college’s strategic plan, and new or expanding programs such as aviation maintenance, fire science, dental hygiene, community health worker, surgical technology, HVAC/plumbing, and precision agriculture. He also described the need for a new dorm and a remodel of the library into academic and allied health space, including a simulation center, to address capacity limits and support growth. Several committee members asked about program demand, faculty recruitment, pay competitiveness, and how the college shifts resources from lower-demand programs to high-demand ones. Industry partner Jim Albright of Comdell testified that the college has been essential to the local manufacturing workforce and that many employees and interns come from NDSCS. A major topic was dual credit. Flanagan said dual credit is important but financially challenging, noting that only a small share of dual credit students ultimately matriculate to NDSCS and that the college’s dual credit model is close to break-even. He explained that many dual credit credits are general education rather than CTE, and that the college pays instructors, supports high schools, and absorbs indirect costs. Williston State College President Bernal Herning added that his institution loses money on the front end but has shifted toward helping students complete associate degrees before high school graduation because many go directly to work after high school. Committee members questioned how dual credit is delivered, how instructors are qualified, and whether students are truly doing college-level work. The committee then received a University System presentation from Jamie Wilkie on the cost of delivering dual credit statewide. Wilkie explained the methodology used to allocate direct and overhead costs and said the analysis shows dual credit is not profitable at several institutions once tuition, instructor payments, and overhead are included. Members asked how much of the cost is borne by students, families, and the state, and whether K-12 funding should also be considered. Discussion also covered the difference between subsidized and unsubsidized dual credit, payments to high school teachers or schools, and the possibility of waiving tuition in the future. No votes were taken, and the committee mainly gathered information for the ongoing dual credit cost study.

Transcript Highlights:

• Where does that other amount of money go? To the Revenue Stabilization Fund.
• Overall, the agency has an average annual spending rate of 1.8%.
• There were other contracts in place, the same amount of money. Gotcha.
• Overall, the agency has an average annual spending rate of 1.5%."
• Overall, the agency has an average annual spending rate of 4.4%."

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, Senator, I don't know what the average age is.
• It's absurd, the low amount of money that is paid for these cases.
• Our monthly average bill for DO IT rates is right around $700,000.
• price to purchase a home climbed by 70% in that same amount of time.
• Average Time to close from the ones that we know to date, from the data we have: average time to close

Bills: SB48 , SB64 , SB100

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: State Fairgrounds District, fairgrounds bonds, public financing, bond authorization, gross receipts tax, gaming tax, tax-backed bonds, infrastructure funding, Albuquerque fairgrounds, State Fair Tid, economic development, municipal bonds, revenue pledge, capital projects, New Mexico finance, special education, office of special education, deputy secretary, public education department, IEP

Transcript Highlights:

• On average, we are issuing new licenses and renewing new licenses within our.
• should be the average with a complete application.
• But yet they're allowed to charge these fees.
• When did you first learn the potential for the maximum amount of tickets per terminal?
• But what was the amount, Ramon? Two point something.

Committee: House Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Transcript Highlights:

• , therefore allowing schools to know that they have a certain amount of guaranteed reimbursements.
• , therefore allowing schools to know that they have a certain amount of guaranteed reimbursements.
• , therefore allowing schools to know that they have a certain amount of guaranteed reimbursements.
• , therefore allowing schools to know that they have a certain amount of guaranteed reimbursements.
• By limiting the amount of proration that's possible, therefore allowing schools to know that they have

Summary: The subcommittee took up several school building aid bills. HB 295, which would make school building aid program funds non-lapsing, drew debate over whether the program is effective and whether funds should be allowed to carry forward. Supporters argued the program is underfunded and that even small leftover amounts should remain available for building aid; opponents said non-lapsing funds limit future budget flexibility and that the program creates winners and losers. The committee voted 4-3 to recommend HB 295 inexpedient to legislate (ITL). The committee then considered HB 366, which would increase school building aid for eligible projects and include retroactive funding for projects completed in the past. The motion to ITL was supported on the grounds that retroactive payments would be unfair to districts still waiting in line and that the legislature should focus on future projects. Supporters of the bill said the increase was modest and that districts that built during a prior moratorium on aid were left with long-term fiscal burdens. The committee again voted 4-3 to recommend ITL. The discussion also broadened into special education funding and a retained bill, HB 742, concerning catastrophic special education aid and the source of funding. Members debated whether the education trust fund should cover the aid and whether the committee should act now or wait for a separate commission studying special education costs. Several members emphasized that special education costs are rising, that more data is needed on student identification and funding formulas, and that the commission’s report may provide better guidance. The chair said the subcommittee’s recommendations would go to the full committee, and the next meeting was expected to be rescheduled from November 4 to later that week because of election-related conflicts.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's the average so far at this biennium.
• This is allowed in statute.
• That's the total amount of savings.
• The total grant amount is higher than this.
• We won't allow that to happen.

Summary: The Budget Section met with a quorum, approved the December 10, 2025 minutes, and received a general fund and revenue update from the Office of Management and Budget. OMB reported the state was about $2 million ahead of forecast biennium-to-date, with an estimated ending general fund balance of about $397.5 million. Joe Morset also reviewed balances in major funds, oil tax revenues, interest income, federal grant reporting, fiscal irregularities, the voluntary separation incentive program, vacancy savings, and the FTE pool. Members asked about the higher-than-forecast interest income, the effective oil tax rate and stripper-well production, the impact of temporary pay adjustments and vacancy savings, and whether the voluntary separation program could reduce institutional knowledge or shift duties to remaining staff. The committee then approved four Emergency Commission requests: $5.26 million for DPI to support an AI-enabled tutoring platform, $105,000 from the general fund contingency for Corrections GPS monitoring, about $1.963 million for HHS SPACES eligibility system upgrades tied to Medicaid work requirements, and about $1.2 million for SNAP eligibility IT improvements. Legislative Council reported remaining interim spending authority after those approvals, and NDIT gave an update on digital accessibility compliance efforts, saying the state has made substantial progress on websites and PDFs but that applications will take longer to remediate. NDIT also reported on the Infinite Campus student information system rollout, noting data migration remains the biggest challenge and that a supplemental vendor is being brought in to help get districts ready for summer go-live. Greg Hoffman then gave a brief update on NDIT’s operational fund, saying cash remains negative in PeopleSoft but accounts receivable keeps the fund functioning within federal limits. The Supreme Court reported on its new and vacant FTE funding pool, saying it has filled 7 of 10 new positions and has realized some vacancy savings, and Legislative Council provided a similar report for the legislative branch along with a reminder that budget action reports are available online. The Department of Transportation presented its Flexible Transportation Fund, explaining the fund’s allocation formulas and ranking process, and sought Budget Section approval for two projects over the $10 million threshold: a Medora city streets and sidewalk project and a Cass County bridge replacement. Members questioned whether funding Medora streets could set a precedent for city street reconstruction and whether the bridge application process fully reflects statewide needs. DOT said the projects were scored competitively and that the bridge list does not capture all deficiencies statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:34:51.760><c> and</c> remain below the national average, and remain below the national average
• That than the national average as well.
• 02.160><c> hide</c> However, averages can sometimes hide However, averages can sometimes hide deeper<
• for Xcel are about 31% below the national average and, again, on an average basis about 1.3% of household
• </c> national average and again on an average national average and again on an average basis<01:10:12.000

Bills: HF3458 , HF3777 , HF3778 , HF3912

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: electric utilities, service areas, Tribal lands, Minnesota statute, energy regulation, utility rates, public utilities, Public Utilities Commission, PUC, ratepayer, consumer protection, affordable energy, energy affordability, ability to pay, just and reasonable rates, rate regulation, electric rates, natural gas rates, energy conservation, renewable energy

Transcript Highlights:

• Clapping and other noise are not allowed.
• Thank you very much for allowing me to testify today.
• Those have evolved and require a fair amount of security.
• In regards to mitigation, natural hazard mitigation saves, on average, an average of $6 for every $1
• By implementing this three-year averaging into the community supervision formula, it will allow counties

Bills: HF1354 , HF1901 , HF2124 , HF2130 , HF2260 , HF2099 , HF104 , HF134 , HF1769

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So we allowed for that one to go a little over.
• It allows California to evaluate this technology.
• AB 793, which requires on average, is a requirement in law for the bottle bill. ...requires on average
• You can use rolling average mass balance.
• So it allows fluctuations.

Summary: The committee heard several bills and one resolution focused on recycling, housing affordability, air quality, coastal protection, wildfire resilience, and nuclear policy. AB 2559, by Assembly Member Ward, would require local governments to return refundable construction and demolition permit deposits if compliance documentation is submitted within three years of final inspection; supporters said it would prevent homeowners and developers from losing deposits due to mismatched local deadlines, and it passed unanimously as amended to Appropriations. AB 1704, by Assembly Member Gonzalez, would require CARB to assess the cost of lower-embodied-carbon building materials and pause the embodied-carbon program if cost parity is not reached; supporters framed it as a housing affordability safeguard, while environmental groups argued it would delay implementation of a key climate law. The bill passed on a party-line vote to Appropriations. AB 2349, by Assembly Member Solache, would create regional air quality incident response centers for emergency monitoring and coordination; it drew strong support from air district and local government representatives and passed unanimously to Appropriations. ACR 149, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the California Coastal Act and Coastal Conservancy, highlighted coastal access, habitat protection, and climate adaptation; it passed the committee, though some members voted no. AB 1960, by Assembly Member Bennett, would let Cal Fire fund community-level wildfire hardening projects through the Wildfire Prevention Grants Fund; members raised questions about funding and implementation, but it passed to Appropriations. AB 2254, the Coastal Monarchs Protection Act, would require coastal local governments to add monarch overwintering protections when updating local coastal plans; supporters cited steep monarch declines and economic benefits, while local government groups opposed the mandate as duplicative and burdensome, and it passed to Water, Parks and Wildlife. AB 2253 would restrict deceptive recycled-content claims and mass-balance accounting practices; supporters said it would protect consumers and real recyclers, while business groups argued it would conflict with recognized accounting systems and EPR programs. The transcript also included AB 1757, which would create a limited carve-out from California’s nuclear moratorium for microreactors; supporters said it could provide clean, local power and support data centers, while opponents warned of cost, waste, and safety risks. The committee ultimately rejected AB 1757 on a divided vote, then granted reconsideration, and the discussion continued without a final action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 793, which requires on average, is a requirement in law for the bottle bill. ...requires on average
• rolling average mass balance.
• rolling average mass balance.
• So it allows fluctuations.
• That's allowed.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• The average costs are going up over time.
• Minnesota has not just about the minimum amount for our average federal match compared to other states
• So we're seeing the average amount we're spending per person per month go up, and the number of people
• Average is taking a 100.7 days to complete; the average longest outstanding applications, 176 and a half
• Average is taking a 100.7 days to complete the average longest outstanding applications 176 and a half

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• That may be a question that I would allow the Bureau to answer a little bit more in depth.
• And thank you for allowing me to do that, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.
• Historically, the Department of Education amount is $142 million. That's been fixed.
• I don't have an average amount that they pay, but I can get that for you.
• By dollar amount, it was non-technology facilities that were accounting for the highest dollar amount

Summary: The Joint Education Committee met to approve prior minutes and adopt an interim study proposal before moving into presentations on school health insurance funding and the 2026 adequacy study. Siegel actuaries reported that the Public School Employees health plan is facing rising medical and pharmacy costs, with expenses running about 17% above prior projections and projected deficits growing in future years if funding stays flat. They said the current $400 minimum district contribution would not be enough to maintain reserves, and outlined scenarios showing that keeping the district contribution as the only funding lever would require large annual increases, while spreading increases across the state, districts, and employees would require a smaller but still significant increase. Committee members asked about impacts on small districts, employee premium amounts, prescription drug costs, and whether cost containment or plan design changes could reduce the need for higher contributions. EBD officials said they are working on contract renegotiations, post-claim review, formulary management, and other cost-control measures, but that additional funding would still likely be needed to keep the plan solvent. BLR then presented the preliminary final report of the 2026 adequacy study, summarizing findings from reports on funding, resource allocation, achievement, and stakeholder input. Staff said Arkansas has made some progress since Lake View, including higher teacher pay and improved test performance, but student proficiency remains below the committee’s adequacy goals and no subgroup has met the 2030 target of 80% proficiency. The report also found that districts spend more from local and other sources than in previous years, and that superintendents consistently identified mental health services, school safety, dyslexia support, and special education as areas needing more funding. Members asked for more detail on how non-matrix spending is categorized, how funds are sourced, whether survey responses could be broken down by district characteristics, and whether the committee should study the cost of homeschooling or legislation that created new requirements without funding. Department of Education staff said districts have broad discretion over spending, that recent legislative changes and the new state assessment are beginning to show gains, and that the committee can make recommendations or request additional studies if it wants more information. The committee was reminded that recommendations are due August 24, with final approval and report deadlines in October and November, and the meeting adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have to be within that 10% of the national average.
• So we have made a tremendous amount of strategies.
• Our average student... Our average students are 31 years old. Life is hitting them in the face.
• Can each of you tell me the average cost of your nursing program, the average length it takes for a student
• And just to repeat, just make sure we're all clear: just the average price of your program, the average

Summary: The subcommittee met to examine Florida’s nursing education pipeline and the state’s persistently low NCLEX passage rates. Chair Tuck opened by noting the projected nurse shortage and Florida’s ranking near the bottom nationally for first-time NCLEX pass rates. The Department of Health explained the Board of Nursing’s approval process for nursing programs, including application requirements, probation standards, and termination for programs that repeatedly fail passage-rate benchmarks. The Florida Center for Nursing then presented statewide data showing Florida has more test takers than most states, but still trails the national average; the gap has narrowed in recent years, though Florida remains below average. Members focused heavily on why the state continues to underperform, with discussion of faculty shortages, clinical placement constraints, accreditation, student preparedness, and the large share of newer private for-profit programs among those placed on probation. Committee members asked about how probation works, what happens when programs improve, and whether the board requires corrective plans. They also questioned the relationship between program type and outcomes, the effect of Operation Nightingale, and how many students fail and retest. The Florida Center for Nursing said first-attempt pass rates are the standard measure and that students who fail are expected to remediate and retest, though costs vary. The center also said Florida’s data shows accredited programs outperform approved or probationary ones, and that the state’s nursing workforce challenges are tied to broader issues such as faculty vacancies, clinical site competition, and student demographics, including many students balancing work, family, and language barriers. A panel of nursing school leaders from public, private nonprofit, and private for-profit institutions then described strategies used to improve outcomes. These included transparent recruitment, early orientation, tutoring, success coaching, stronger faculty development, curriculum mapping to NCLEX standards, higher course benchmarks, mandatory remediation, simulation labs, and commercial NCLEX prep tools such as ATI, Kaplan, and HESI. Several panelists said their programs had improved after probation or had very high passage rates, and they emphasized that student success depends on academic preparation, clinical experience, and support services. Members also asked about tuition, program length, translation into other languages, and faculty recruitment; panelists said costs vary widely, faculty hiring is difficult because hospitals pay more, and some schools are considering medical Spanish and immersion options rather than full curriculum translation.

Transcript Highlights:

• amount of debt is $21,500.
• The average American does not do that.
• and state average is 3%.
• above the average.
• and one that charges below average.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance