Transcript Highlights:

• This investment is critical to maintaining the zoo's excellence in conservation, education, and animal
• education and Animal Welfare<00:08:14.039><c> while</c><00:08:14.280><c> addressing</c><00:08:14.680
• It’s also a tool for public education and long-term environmental change.
• </c> and through our Blue Thumb education and through our Blue Thumb education program<00:24:27.080><
• </c> it's also a tool for public education it's also a tool for public education and<00:26:33.720><c>

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Children come home from school to find out that their parents have disappeared.”
• They are House Bill 955, which is an act relating to next steps in transforming Vermont’s education system
• She had founded and directed an educational farming center in Massachusetts and undertaken similar work
• Right here in this room, we have lawyers and educators. We have farmers and Ivy League graduates.
• Are there any further on Education. Are there any further announcements?

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the next section is for Section 301, which is the Bicycle Education Grant Program.
• And it also increases the competency in Washington State physical education standards.
• It's the statewide school-based bicycle education grant program.
• This program consists of an in-school education piece that partners with large school districts and educational
• The bike safety education program is in its third year of implementation.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met for a work session and public hearing on February 19, 2026. In the work session, Switch Maritime presented a proposal for hydrogen fuel cell ferries for Washington State, including a budget proviso directing the Joint Transportation Committee to study hydrogen propulsion and a lease model for future Washington State Ferries procurement. The company described its Sea Change vessel, said the design could be adapted for Washington routes such as San Juan Islands–Anacortes, and emphasized that hydrogen fueling could be delivered through a mobile supply chain without new charging infrastructure. Senators asked about vessel flexibility, size, hydrogen availability, and terminal compatibility. The committee also received an update from WSDOT on the new public-private partnership program authorized in 2025. Staff said the agency is developing a four-phase implementation process, including consultant selection, a steering committee, a program manual, stakeholder engagement, and candidate project identification, with a report due to the transportation committees on September 1, 2026 and program launch targeted for January 1, 2027. The presentation stressed that the program manual will provide flexibility within the statute and that legislative input is being sought on engagement and project timing. The public hearing was on Senate Bill 6352, an omnibus transportation resources bill that revises and expands provisions from last year’s ESSB 5801. Staff outlined sections covering a mobile driver’s license and ID card program, a reduced-fee ID card for older drivers, changes to alternative fuel and aviation taxes and fees, revised sales tax distributions for ferry and multimodal funding, transit and bicycle education grants, fish passage permitting, clean energy siting on WSDOT right-of-way, toll notice procedures, older driver safety outreach, traffic safety camera revenue sharing, and a delay to the tow-truck indigent impound reimbursement program. The prime sponsor highlighted two priorities: digital driver’s licenses and dedicated ferry funding. Testimony was mixed. Supporters included airlines and aviation groups backing mobile ID and repeal of the luxury aircraft tax, transit and bicycle safety advocates supporting grant flexibility and continued bike education funding, and ferry advocates supporting dedicated ferry revenue. Local governments, including Bellevue, Kenmore, and Tacoma, raised concerns about the traffic camera revenue change, saying the shift from net to gross revenue would reduce local safety funding and could discourage new camera programs. The Association of Washington Cities also warned about unintended consequences in the fish passage and traffic camera provisions. RV dealers sought a delay to the luxury vehicle tax, and peer-to-peer car-sharing platform Turo asked for clarification on documentation requirements. The committee took no final vote and announced it would consider executive action the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll continue on with panel two, the California Department of Education.
• And they certainly haven't spoken to anybody at the California Department of Education.
• Everything about conversations and education has been, how do we help to create more clarity?
• agencies, county offices of education, districts, etc.
• regional education agency in the nation, and we are currently supporting the education and well-being

Summary: The Communications and Conveyance Committee held an oversight hearing on the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), focused on telecommunications, broadband deployment, resiliency, and the California Teleconnect Fund. Chair Tasha Boerner said the hearing was intended to examine structural issues at the CPUC, including whether telecommunications oversight should remain within the commission, while also reviewing major programs such as Last Mile, BEAD, carrier of last resort, and emergency preparedness. CPUC President John Reynolds and Deputy Executive Director Anna Maria Johnson described the commission’s work on public safety, universal service, broadband grants, Lifeline modernization, and network resiliency, including the 72-hour backup power requirement and merger review. Members questioned CPUC officials about the pace and metrics for Last Mile and BEAD projects, the relationship between middle-mile and last-mile buildout, and how the commission balances carrier obligations with the risk of driving providers out of high-cost areas. They also pressed the CPUC on the California Lifeline home broadband pilot, asking when enrollment would be available, which providers were participating, how much of the state would be covered, and what the surcharge impact would be. CPUC said 15 providers had been approved, one was already serving customers, and the rest were still onboarding, and it committed to provide follow-up information on timelines, coverage, and costs. A major portion of the hearing centered on the California Teleconnect Fund and proposed changes to how schools would access the program. Superintendent Tony Thurmond argued strongly against shifting administration from county offices of education and districts to individual schools, saying it would add burden, worsen inequities, and risk underuse of a valuable broadband subsidy. Committee members echoed concerns that smaller schools and districts may lack the staff to manage direct applications and reporting. In public comment, the Los Angeles County Office of Education supported the CDE’s position and urged changes that would align the program more closely with E-Rate and reduce administrative burdens. No formal vote was taken, and Chair Boerner closed by saying she remained committed to pursuing reforms to the CPUC and referenced her bills AB 2289 and ACA 9.

Transcript Highlights:

• Before joining the Texas Education Agency, Mr.
• Stodshill is a dedicated supporter of higher education, culture and the arts.
• Together, we are the proud parents of one daughter.
• I expected to get an adequate education, but what I got was so much more.
• Education. should be accessible to all and I want to help make that a reality.

Committee: Senate Nominations

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and higher education.
• Higher education is good. That's how.
• Higher education is good. That's how.
• Where will higher education stand in 60 months in the higher-education marketplace, with students traveling
• With the general education curriculum review, Senate Bill 37 requires us to review our general education

Summary: The Senate Committee on Higher Education met with a quorum, adopted its interim rules on a 6-0 vote, and heard opening remarks from members and staff introductions. The chair emphasized higher education’s role in workforce development and noted a Legislative Budget Board survey issue that was resolved after a community college initially did not respond because the survey was marked optional. The committee then focused on monitoring implementation of Senate Bill 37, which governs public higher education boards, curriculum review, faculty senates/councils, training for regents, and the ombudsman office. Testimony from Chancellor Brandon Creighton of Texas Tech, Commissioner Wynn Rosser, UNT Chancellor Michael Williams, and Ombudsman Brandon Simmons described how SB 37 is being implemented. They said boards now have stronger authority, faculty senates are advisory, and institutions are reviewing general education curricula and other programs for rigor, relevance, and workforce value. Rosser said the statewide advisory committee is reviewing the core curriculum and board training requirements are being administered, while Simmons reported the ombudsman office has received 73 complaints, opened two investigations, and expects a third, with many complaints outside its jurisdiction or harassing in nature. Members questioned witnesses about transfer credits, board training content, auditing, conflicts of interest, curriculum decisions, and whether any institutions were missing deadlines. Rosser said non-transferable credits have declined since reporting began under earlier law, and that the most common reason is courses outside degree requirements. Witnesses said they were not aware of institutions missing the SB 37 review deadlines. Senators also raised concerns about an appearance of impropriety in a Texas Tech-related matter and about whether a Dred Scott case should be taught in law school, with Creighton saying the curriculum review process did not prohibit teaching Supreme Court cases and that he would follow up. Later testimony from University of Houston, Texas State, UT, and Texas A&M system officials said their systems had updated policies, abolished prior faculty senates, created compliant advisory councils, and completed or were completing core curriculum reviews and related governance changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• There’s about 60% of our students that live at home with their parents and about 40% live on campus in
• and about 40% at home with their parents and about 40% live<01:04:24.160><c> on</c><01:04:24.359><c>
• Academies, a lot of the students' parents are probably not too crazy about that, having prisoners come
• It is a true asset the academies have in Faribault and for the state, what the education they provide
• </c><01:20:26.720><c> they</c> state what the the education they state what the the education they provide

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Education federal guarantee agency for the Federal Family Education Loan Program.
• Um, some educated guesswork.
• </c> portion of their education. portion of their education.
• </c> Council on Postsecondary Education. Council on Postsecondary Education.
• </c> on post postsecary education. on post postsecary education.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Budget Review Subcommittee on Education met and approved the July 15, 2025 minutes before hearing a presentation from the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA/KIA) on student financial aid ahead of the January biennial budget session. KHEAA outlined its role administering 17 state-funded grant and scholarship programs, 529 plans, and outreach services, and emphasized that net lottery proceeds after a $3 million literacy appropriation are statutorily dedicated to student aid. The agency focused on the major need-based programs—College Access Program (CAP), Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG), and KEES—along with dual credit, Work Ready Kentucky, teacher scholarship, and National Guard tuition assistance. Officials said the new federal FAFSA methodology created a major increase in eligible students, especially for CAP, and thanked lawmakers for adding substantial funding this biennium to meet the higher demand. Staff explained that CAP is for Pell-eligible, low-income students, while KTG is a need-based grant for students at private Kentucky colleges; both use FAFSA data, but schools verify final eligibility. They said CAP awards are first-come, first-served and that the higher funding level allowed the program to last the full 21-month application cycle in FY 2024-2025, compared with much shorter periods in earlier years. KHEAA reported about $232 million spent on CAP for roughly 72,000 students last year, with current applications running about 10% ahead of the prior year. Members asked about the difference between applicants and recipients, the effect of lower lottery revenues, and whether recent federal legislation would affect state aid; KHEAA said it does not expect major impacts on grants and scholarships, though student loan changes could affect graduate students. The committee also discussed KEES and dual credit. KHEAA said KEES has been fully funded since its creation and that its forecast was within $76,000 of actual need last year. For dual credit, staff said a recent bill consolidated work-ready dual credit and career/technical education under one scholarship program, and KHEAA will seek growth funding because participation and costs continue to rise. The agency said FY 2025 dual credit spending reached $26.4 million across dual credit and work-ready funding, requiring transfers from Work Ready Kentucky to keep dual credit fully funded. Members asked about transferability of dual credit hours and whether the program reduces later college costs; KHEAA said it does not have hard data on every credit transfer, but it does see higher bachelor’s completion rates and lower student debt, suggesting positive effects. No votes were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• parents to three children<00:59:20.160><c> and</c><00:59:20.480><c> unfortunately</c><00:59:21.839><
• Public education efforts like attention.
• Public education efforts like these<01:08:50.080><c> are</c><01:08:50.319><c> critical</c><01:08:50.719
• </c><01:09:16.560><c> We</c><01:09:16.880><c> support</c> sustained public education.
• We support sustained public education.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:06.239><c> Um,</c> educated one. Um, educated one.
• Well, my parents bought me shoes at the Enzi bookstore or at the Enzi shoe store.
• Well, my parents bought me shoes at the Enzi bookstore or at the Enzi shoe store.
• Then we'll begin the Department of Education recognition process.
• c> recognition</c> department of education recognition department of education recognition process.<00

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The committee met to consider amendments to House Bill 111. It first adopted amendment number one without objection. Members then discussed a Senate amendment related to a $750,000 state match for the Central Wyoming College Jackson project, with Senator Laursen explaining the request as a way to leverage local fundraising for the final phase of the project. He said the project had been underway since 2018, that the building was nearing completion, and that the amendment was intended to encourage a local fundraising campaign rather than wait for a later appropriation. Representative Lien questioned whether the funding had gone through the usual approval process, and other members raised concerns about bypassing standard procedures, while Laursen argued the request was consistent with prior late-stage project adjustments and reflected local skin in the game. The discussion also covered a Senate amendment concerning University of Wyoming land use, specifically whether language should remain requiring open space or allow trustees more flexibility to decide between open space and parking. One member moved to delete the Senate amendment and reinsert the stricken language, but after discussion the motion was withdrawn so the committee could consider all amendments together. Members noted that the university had already been discussing the plan and that the language change would not necessarily alter the trustees’ authority, though it might protect the university. The committee then turned to a Gillette College/Enzi building amendment. Senator Driscoll said the proposal was his own and not requested by the college, and Janelle Overberlander, founding president of Gillette Community College District, testified about the history of the project, including the 2021 separation from the Northern Wyoming Community College District, prior planning for a STEM building, and the later decision to revive the project as an academic building honoring Senator Enzi. She said the building is intended to address lab space needs and support industry partners, including companies expected to bring jobs to Campbell County. Driscoll explained that the amendment would provide a dollar-for-dollar match for non-state money and require Gillette College to move to a four-mill levy, which he said would eventually make the college a net contributor to the system. The committee continued discussing the amendment and its long-term fiscal effects, but no final vote on the later amendments is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• He added that he did not know whether that includes a parent volunteer.
• I don't know if that includes a parent volunteer. We're good then.
• Thank you, Steve Applebee, Director of the Department of Education.
• A room parent, like I've been a room parent, that's not a designated volunteer because you're not alone
• So, for example, you're talking divorce and parenting cases.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They said, “I’m worried about my parents struggling to find a place for us.”
• My parents are worried about us having to start all over again. May I ask you to summarize, please?
• They said, “I’m worried about my parents struggling to find a place for us.”
• My parents are worried about us having to start all over again. May I ask you to summarize, please?
• are worried about us having to parents are worried about us having to start<01:24:23.600><c> all</c>

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several housing, land use, and preservation bills. HB 1008 HD2 would require the Department of Land and Natural Resources to complete historic preservation determinations for state affordable housing projects within 90 days and create sensitivity-based review pathways. HHFDC, DLNR’s State Historic Preservation Division, and written testimony from DBEDT supported the bill as an expedited process for projects unlikely to affect significant historic resources. Members asked how the bill would define significant versus non-significant historic properties, how it would interact with Kapakai analysis, and whether burial councils had been consulted; SHPD said the bill would not replace Kapakai review and that burial councils had not been included. Written support also came from OHA, Hawaii Realtors, and the Maui Chamber of Commerce. HB 1093 would clarify the Hawaii Public Housing Authority’s powers relating to housing projects. HPHA supported the measure, saying it would align definitions with prior law and help deconcentrate poverty by allowing mixed-income rebuilding. The director also said the bill was increasingly urgent because of reported federal HUD priorities that could affect public housing and Section 8 funding. HB 1096 HD1 would repeal state low-income housing preferences for disabled veterans and spouses of deceased veterans, with HPHA saying federal veteran programs such as VASH are a better mechanism and that the state preference has not been used in years. HB 1411 would allow HHFDC projects to give sale or lease preferences to applicants who live or work within five miles of a project; HHFDC and the Hawaii Chapter of NAIOP supported it as a way to keep residents connected to their communities, while members raised constitutional concerns about broader local-preference policies. The committee also heard HB 367 HD1, which would create county permit exemptions for certain agricultural and maintenance activities. Written testimony included opposition from the Department of Planning and Permitting and support from the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Grassroot Institute, and others. A public testifier opposed the bill, arguing that permit exemptions could worsen safety and compliance problems. Finally, HB 826 HD1 would allow county planning commissions, by special permit, to authorize residential housing in agricultural districts for agricultural workforce housing, long-term rental, or fee simple ownership under certain conditions. HHFDC supported it as a faster alternative to lengthy state land-use redistricting, but the Department of Agriculture, Land Use Commission, and Office of Planning and Sustainable Development raised concerns about food production impacts, due process, service provision, jurisdictional conflicts, and the use of special permits for what could amount to district boundary changes. Public testimony was mixed, with some support and some opposition. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• came about because local decision makers were thoughtful and diligent in collecting data, making educated
• > decisions,</c><00:27:31.360><c> listening</c><00:27:31.679><c> to</c><00:27:31.919><c> the</c> educated
• decisions, listening to the educated decisions, listening to the community,<00:27:32.880><c> and</c>
• </c><00:59:36.640><c> can</c><00:59:36.960><c> age</c><00:59:37.520><c> with</c> our seniors and parents
• can age with our seniors and parents can age with family<00:59:38.480><c> and</c><00:59:38.799><c> still

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> for these POS for these educational for these POS for these educational opportunities opportunities
• </c> university system, and other educational university system, and other educational facilities<00:
• Children are coached to reject a loving parent.
• It in sensitive areas like parental terminations or custody disputes.
• </c> it in sensitive areas like parental it in sensitive areas like parental terminations<02:06:05.280

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 28:09.760><c> effort</c><01:28:10.080><c> that</c> an operator educational effort that an operator educational
• Um we're going to have education bills.
• For 1787 and 1800, are we going to, as we move forward, loop the Education Committee somehow?
• We pride ourselves on being very well educated, being very verbal and very vocal.
• </c> of her parents are former journalists. of her parents are former journalists.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• powerful tool in protecting rural lands as well as community spaces such as public parks, outdoor education
• powerful tool in protecting rural lands as well as community spaces such as public parks, outdoor education
• Community spaces such as public parks, outdoor education campuses, trails, community farms in my community
• You're going to cut jobs for the people who need them the most, including students, parents, seniors,
• ,</c> the most, including students, parents, the most, including students, parents, seniors,<03:20:44.319

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So Texas A&M AgriLife continues to develop educational materials.
• Texas A&M AgriLife continues to develop educational materials.
• Second, education is vital, right?
• And I'll talk to my parents about that another day.
• And I'll talk to my parents about that another day.

Summary: The joint hearing focused on preparedness for the New World screwworm threat and brought together the House Committees on Culture, Recreation, and Tourism and Agriculture and Livestock. USDA officials, Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, and Texas Animal Health Commission leadership described the pest as a serious risk to livestock, wildlife, rural economies, and beef prices, and emphasized coordination among federal, state, industry, and Mexican partners. Witnesses repeatedly stressed that Texas is currently seeing no confirmed U.S. detections, but that recent confirmed cases in northern Mexico, including Nuevo León, remain a concern because of their proximity to the border. USDA testimony outlined current surveillance and response efforts, including more than 120 screw worm-specific traps along the Texas border and neighboring states, thousands of additional dual-purpose traps, wildlife inspections, weekly coordination with Mexico’s Senasica, and a new USDA New World Screwworm Directorate. Officials said the existing Panama sterile fly facility is maxed out at about 100 million flies per week, while a dispersal facility in Tampico is helping move flies farther north in Mexico. They also described plans for a retrofitted sterile fly facility in Metapa, Mexico, expected to come online in 2026, and a new domestic production facility at Moore Air Base, with phase one targeted for late 2026 or early 2027 and phase two adding substantially more capacity later. Members pressed USDA on timelines, production capacity, the reliability of Mexican reporting, the risk from wildlife, and whether modular or mobile facilities could be deployed faster. USDA said it is also exploring innovative technologies, including a genetically engineered sterile male fly, but that such tools still require EPA review and field validation. Commissioner Miller highlighted Texas biosecurity efforts, five permanent inspection stations, cooperation with FDA and EPA on treatments such as Exzolt, and other pest issues affecting Texas agriculture. He also noted research into fly bait and private-sector efforts to speed sterile fly production. Texas Animal Health Commission officials described extensive state preparedness work, including weekly coordination calls, field response trainings, outreach to producers and veterinarians, and a Texas Screwworm Response Team. They said Texas has trained more than 100 inspectors and other personnel, with additional trainings planned, and that the state is expanding its cattle fever tick rider program. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing; the main action was the exchange of testimony and questions about readiness, surveillance, and facility timelines.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:45:19.680><c> that</c> in higher education that in higher education that um<00:45:20.760><c>
• </c> within the state's higher education within the state's higher education landscape<00:48:44.440><
• ,</c> different in the way we do education, different in the way we do education, too.<00:49:12.080><
• We are innovators, educational too.
• ,</c> to other educators, to other educators, directly<00:58:57.480><c> advancing</c><00:58:58.040><c

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The schools specifically, as well as higher education. The water authority is ABC at this point.
• Chartered schools can be chartered by a local school district or by the Public Education Commission.
• Economic development is tied exclusively to an educated workforce.
• So, an educated workforce is something that we're really excited about.
• So, it'll kind of be venture capital education tomorrow, just so you know.

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Our mission is simple: provide a quality education in a caring environment.
• I mean, they don't—I don't mean get out, not continue their education.
• Dakota for higher education.
• Students want to feel safe on campus and to purely go for their education.
• to the higher education.

Committee: Joint Higher Education Institutions Committee

Keywords: 908, all