Video & Transcript : 'governor powers' :
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 59 Jun 22nd, 2026
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- A message from Her Excellency the Governor.
- A message from Her Excellency the Governor under the provisions of Article 3 of Article 87 of the Amendments
- The Governor, under the provisions of Article 3 of Article 87 of the Amendments to the Constitution,
- Under Rule 30, the message from Her Excellency the Governor will be referred to the Committee on Bonding
- Under Rule 30, the message from Her Excellency the Governor will be referred to the Committee on Public
Summary:
The House received two gubernatorial messages: one recommending legislation on terms for certain Commonwealth bonds, referred to the Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets, and another exempting George Petrinos from the maximum retirement age for firefighter service in Dudley, referred to the Committee on Public Service. The Committee on Rules also reported favorably on resolutions commending the Town of Plymouth for its commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and the House suspended the rules and adopted the resolution.
The House then took up Senate Bill 2577, further regulating parking fines in Scituate. After suspending Rule 7A, the bill was ordered to a third reading. The House also passed to be enacted two engrossed bills: House 4141, authorizing North Adams to appoint retired police officers as special police officers for paid detail assignments, and House 3929, regulating the maximum age for original appointment as a police officer in Worcester.
Later, the House passed to be engrossed Senate Bill 2908, establishing a sick leave bank for Shannon Manning of the Trial Court, Senate Bill 3031, establishing a sick leave bank for Stephanie Rivera of the Worcester County Sheriff's Office, House Bill 4443, changing the maximum age requirement for original appointment as a firefighter or police officer in Haverhill, and House Bill 5379, relating to the transfer of interest in land in West Brookfield. The House adopted an order to adjourn until Wednesday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned to meet then in informal session.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 59 Jun 22nd, 2026
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- A message from Her Excellency the Governor.
- A message from Her Excellency the Governor under the provisions of Article 3 of Article 87 of the amendments
- Under Rule 30, the message from Her Excellency the Governor will be referred to the Committee on Bonding
- A message from Her Excellency the Governor recommending legislation relative to exempting George Petrinos
- Under Rule 30, the message from Her Excellency the Governor will be referred to the Committee on Public
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- So, this governor and council meeting.
- </c> governor had reduced this expenditure. governor had reduced this expenditure. the<00:30:34.480><
- So just an an option for the governor.
- 06:19.200><c> million</c><01:06:19.680><c> per</c> governor had recommended $3 million per governor had
- And the governor priorities beyond that.
Committee:
Senate Finance
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
AGR Public Hearing - Fri Mar 14, 2025 @ 10:00 AM HST
Agriculture & Food Systems
Transcript Highlights:
- We'd have to then go to the governor for approval for public hearing. You had to wait 30 days.
- Because presumably the governor would sign this in June and we'd be off to the races and doing it.
- ><c> the</c><00:40:58.040><c> governor</c><00:40:58.359><c> approves</c><00:40:58.760><c> it</c> appr
- appr when the governor approves it appr appr when the governor approves it and<00:40:59.240><c> then
- </c><00:41:55.440><c> would</c> because presumably the governor would because presumably the governor
Committee:
House Agriculture & Food Systems
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Public Employment and Retirement Committee Jun 25th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- This is a good government bill that will help joint powers authorities operate effectively and recruit
- the process for public employees to retain their CalPERS retirement when transitioning to a joint powers
- Rubio mentioned, the cities of La Verne and Covina are actively collaborating to establish a joint powers
- La Verne and Covina are actively collaborating to establish a joint powers authority to create a regional
- This restriction only applies to joint powers authorities.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement heard several retirement and school employment measures. SB 301 by Sen. Grayson would prevent CERL-covered cities and districts from amending retirement contracts to exclude certain employee groups, closing a loophole similar to one previously addressed for CalPERS. The bill was supported by California Professional Firefighters and received no opposition. SB 443 by Sen. Rubio would clarify that employees transferring into a joint powers authority can retain CalPERS classic status even when the JPA expands later; the city of La Verne, a flood management agency, and AFSCME supported the bill, and it also drew no opposition. Both bills were moved out of committee on unanimous votes and sent to Appropriations, with the consent calendar items SB 521, SB 581, and SB 853 also approved.
The committee then heard SB 494 by Sen. Cortese, which would give classified school employees the right to have disciplinary appeals heard by an administrative law judge rather than by the school board. Supporters, including CSEA, AFSCME, and CFT, argued the bill would create parity with teachers and community college faculty and provide a fairer appeal process. Opponents, including the California School Boards Association, county superintendents, school business officials, and community college groups, argued it would remove local control, impose a one-size-fits-all process, and shift costs to districts. The bill was passed out of committee and referred to the Committee on Higher Education.
The committee also considered SJR 2 by Sen. Cortese, a resolution urging Congress and the President to enact federal protections for classified school employees, including better wages, benefits, safety, and workplace rights. Support came from CFT, CSEA, and other labor groups, with no opposition. The resolution was adopted and moved forward. At the end of the hearing, the committee reopened the roll to add votes, and all listed measures ultimately passed unanimously or near-unanimously before the meeting adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- He chose and worked hard with God's power to be a strong voice for all people in the midst of our fragile
- With the right skills and knowledge, an abacus, an abacus goes from a simple object into a powerful tool
- And as you all know, quite a powerful voice. To those that the places of power routinely dismiss.
- And even though his powerful voice will never reverberate in this chamber again.
- To the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power, and authority. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Apr 10th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- It requires the members of state university boards of trustees and the Board of Governors to be U.S.
- Well, I go where the governor asks of my services and where they're needed.
- Well, I go where the governor asks of my services and where they're needed.
- I really appreciated your comments on the ambition to rise to the top three of the Board of Governors
- I also thank the governor for the opportunity to not only serve my state, but also my local community
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education heard and approved two bills before moving into confirmation hearings for several university and college board nominees. CS/SB 1458 on apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships was presented as a measure to improve consistency and transparency in local education agency partnerships, cap LEA administrative funding at 10% when applicable, and require public meetings and work papers for workforce funding model decisions. Support was noted from Associated Builders and Contractors, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Foundations for Florida Futures, and Independent Electrical Contractors. The bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably.
The committee then considered CS/CS/SB 1726 on higher education governance and presidential searches after adopting a delete-all amendment and a late-filed amendment defining the final group of presidential applicants as no fewer than three. The amended bill added provisions on trustee citizenship and residency/alumni eligibility, interim president succession planning, longer presidential contract renewals, limits on candidate polling by universities, syllabus posting, textbook/open-access material lists, and other governance and academic policy changes. Senators raised concerns about the minimum-three finalist requirement, interim president selection, trustee eligibility, and polling restrictions, while supporters said the bill would depoliticize leadership selection and improve transparency. The bill was reported favorably after the amendments were adopted.
The committee then heard confirmation testimony from multiple appointees and reappointees, including nominees for FAMU, UNF, Pensacola State College, UWF, and UF. Most nominees emphasized ties to their institutions, student success, workforce development, military connections, and institutional growth. Several UWF nominees were questioned extensively about their votes for former chair Scott Yenner and his controversial comments about women and other groups; some said they were unaware of those remarks at the time of the vote and would not have supported him with that knowledge. Public testimony on UWF expressed concern about the nominees’ lack of higher education experience, their ties to the region, and the impact of Yenner’s views. The committee later voted to recommend a block of non-UWF nominees favorably, and it agreed to vote on the UWF nominees individually, with some remaining nominees deferred to a later hearing due to time.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 03/13/25
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> municipalities from using their powers municipalities from using their powers in<00:07:14.440><c
- He said, Peter, cities have no power under the U.S. Constitution, none.
- Cities only have the powers delegated to them by the legislature.
- </c><01:12:13.360><c> uh</c> HOA so HOAs wield uh enormous power uh HOA so HOAs wield uh enormous power
- <01:14:43.719><c> imbalance</c><01:14:44.639><c> will</c> power imbalance will power imbalance will continue
Committee:
Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Local Government (8-26-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:09:19.839><c> uh</c> on December 12, 2019, the governor uh on December 12, 2019, the governor
- . the governor has your rights restored. the governor has the<00:09:47.279><c> ability</c><00:09:47.920
- Under the executive order that the governor did, they did get their rights back.
- Under the executive order that the governor did, they did get their rights back.
- The governor can give them that...
Summary:
The committee first took up two fire commission regulatory amendments. Bruce Roberts, director of the Fire Commission, explained that one amendment updates financial disclosure reporting rules to align with changes to KRS 95A.55, including revised definitions, reporting requirements, and moving compliance reviews from every four years to an annual basis. The second amendment changes the deadline for fire departments to submit state aid documentation from July 31 to September and adds flexibility for departments affected by natural disasters by allowing a waiver process for missing, lost, or damaged documents. The committee approved the agency amendment by motion, second, and voice vote with no opposition.
The main policy discussion centered on a proposed constitutional amendment to restore voting rights for people convicted of felonies after they complete their sentence and probation/parole. Senators Hickden and Herren said the proposal would restore only voting rights, not citizenship or the right to run for office, and would still exclude certain offenses such as treason, bribery in an election, sex offenses, violent offenses, and offenses against a child. They argued that Kentucky is one of only three states without automatic restoration, that the current governor’s executive order is temporary, and that the issue should be settled by constitutional amendment. Members asked about the relationship to expungement, costs, and whether election-related crimes should be included among the exceptions; the sponsors said expungement is separate and that they were open to refining the language. Several members voiced support, and the sponsors said they hoped to continue working on the proposal before the next session.
The committee also discussed a practical issue involving schools used as polling places and conflicts with KDE testing days. The chair raised the possibility of adjusting testing schedules or using NI days at affected schools, while members noted that county clerks already have authority to use tax-funded buildings for elections and that schools have long been used because of ADA accessibility. Some members suggested a simpler fix would be to prevent KDE testing dates from overlapping with election dates, rather than changing NI-day rules or limiting clerks’ authority. The committee then approved the minutes and adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Higher Education Committee Jun 24th, 2025
Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- Scott Governor here for the University of Phoenix.
- This is a negotiation that the Governor will have to lead, and our task has been to craft a bill that
- This bill is only requesting permission that we present a fee proposal to our Board of Governors, and
- And so those are the factors that we will be bringing to our Board of Governors for consideration.
- And so those are the factors that we will be bringing to our board of governors for consideration.
Committee:
House Higher Education
Summary:
The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard several Senate bills, beginning with consent items SB 67 and SB 619, both approved on consent. The committee then took up SB 437, which would direct the CSU system to develop a fair, evidence-based process for verifying whether someone is a descendant of a person enslaved in the United States, as part of the state’s reparations work. Supporters, including the author, a former reparations task force member, the NAACP, CSU, and other organizations, argued the bill fills a missing implementation gap and would create a transparent, credible lineage-verification process. Opponents said the process already exists through professional genealogists, warned the bill would delay reparations work and cost millions, and raised constitutional objections. After debate, the committee voted the bill out on a 3-3 roll, with the roll left open for additional members.
The committee next heard SB 790, which would allow California to join the interstate reciprocity agreement for online postsecondary education. The author and supporters from UC, CSU, and private universities said joining the agreement would reduce burdensome state-by-state authorization, improve consumer protections for California students taking out-of-state online courses, and help California institutions expand online offerings. Opponents, including the University of Phoenix and other groups, argued the bill conflicted with the existing reciprocity framework, could exclude some institutions, and might not be accepted by other states. The committee discussed fee and implementation issues, then moved the bill forward on a 3-1 roll, with the roll left open.
SB 391 was then heard, authorizing the Community College Chancellor’s Office to charge reasonable fees for research data requests. The author and Chancellor’s Office said the office handles many labor-intensive MOUs and data compilations without reimbursement, and that fees would help recover costs and support staff capacity. CTA opposed the bill, warning that fees could burden faculty and smaller researchers and should be limited to actual costs, while committee members raised questions about affordability and implementation. The committee ultimately passed the bill out on a 5-0 roll, with the roll left open. Finally, the committee heard SB 685, a pilot program to provide cost-of-attendance assistance at four CSU campuses for students who experienced homelessness in high school. Supporters said the bill would help students bridge the gap between existing aid and real living costs, while members asked about eligibility and the use of McKinney-Vento homelessness designations; the author explained the pilot is aimed at preventing summer melt and helping formerly homeless students stay enrolled.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Senate and Governmental Affairs May 8th, 2026
Senate & Governmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- We need to know, quite honestly, how many people had voted at the time the governor suspended the election
- You would agree with me that at the time the governor suspended the election, votes had in fact been
- After the governor issued his suspension, you would agree with me that the congressional election...
- I'm asking now about the votes after the governor issued his suspension of the current election.
- I'm asking now about the votes after the governor issued his suspension of the current election.
Committee:
Senate Senate & Governmental Affairs
Keywords:
redistricting, congressional districts, Louisiana, 2020 census, elections, precincts, voting, election, political representation, 2026 precincts, demographics, Louisiana congressional map, U.S. House, election districts, precinct shapefiles, Voting Districts, VTD, 2020 Census, 2026 Precinct Shapefiles, apportionment
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions Mar 17th, 2026
Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions
Transcript Highlights:
- should not be displaced from communities they helped build simply because a landlord has the market power
- This is not a well-functioning market; it's a market rife with market power, and we need exactly the
- This is not a well-functioning market; it's a market rife with market power, and we need exactly the
- Without immediate action, corporate landlords will continue consolidating power and extracting wealth
- H.5008 gives the Commonwealth the power to keep households stable, communities whole, and ensure that
Bills:
H5008
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- Sandy Hall, Chief of Staff to Lieutenant Governor Rutledge.
- the former chief of staff left the office to go work in the private sector, and so the Lieutenant Governor
- , gives future lieutenant governors, the room to be able to pay as they wish because when we came in
- , gives future lieutenant governors, the room to be able to pay as they wish because when we came in,
- will be able to pay, but future lieutenant governors will just have the room to be able to give to their
Committee:
All JBC-PERSONNEL
Summary:
The committee met to consider several budget and staffing requests tied to constitutional offices and the Supreme Court, with opening remarks noting that fringe benefits are now calculated at 40% to 45% and that constitutional officers may pay the maximum if they choose. Item B, a Supreme Court request for one new Supreme Court police chief position with no appropriation increase, was approved. Item C, from the Secretary of State, sought five additional Capitol Police corporal positions, title realignments, and salary maximum adjustments, along with a $498,000 appropriation increase; members questioned how the office could absorb pay changes without new funding, and the office explained it was cleaning up a large and outdated classification structure while also preparing to provide security for an additional building. The item was approved.
Item D, from the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, proposed moving from line-item maximum salaries to state pay-plan grades, with no change in total positions but about a $349,000 increase in salaries and matching funds. Office representatives said the office had not had raises in nearly a decade and needed the change to stay competitive and retain staff, but members raised concerns about comparing the office’s pay to other agencies and about office staffing and accessibility. Senator Hill asked to hold the item for offline discussion, and the committee agreed to hold it until the next day.
Item E, from the Auditor’s Office, requested salary realignments, increases to line-item maximums, and two new positions tied to UCP claims and compliance work, with a total increase of $579,468. The auditor said the office had already pulled a government relations position from the request after an updated packet was issued, and defended the remaining increases as market-based and revenue-neutral, with some work funded by interest earnings. Members questioned the need for a legislative affairs position and whether the salary increases were aligned with the market, but after discussion the committee approved the item. The meeting then adjourned.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Carbon Sequestration Programs Study Commission (11/18/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> uh in in manufacturing plants and power uh in in manufacturing plants and power plants,<00:14:56.880
- </c><00:15:15.839><c> There's</c> very powerful greenhouse gas.
- There's very powerful greenhouse gas.
- </c><00:24:57.279><c> of</c> when it comes to uh the uh powers of when it comes to uh the uh powers of
- </c> are emissions from factories and power are emissions from factories and power plants<00:26:00.320
Summary:
The meeting was called to order, the Pledge of Allegiance was led, and the clerk called the roll, establishing a quorum. The committee approved the prior minutes after correcting the date and changing a reference so that a draft-legislation note attributed to Representative Wlette was corrected. After that, the chair introduced a carbon presentation by Mr. Charlie Lebec and invited members and guests to move closer to view the slides.
Mr. Lebec’s presentation focused on forest carbon science and forest carbon offset markets, with emphasis on how forests store, sequester, and emit carbon. He explained greenhouse gases and the relationship between atmospheric CO2 and temperature, then defined key terms such as carbon storage, sequestration, flux, sinks, and sources. He also described forest carbon pools, noting that soils contain a large share of forest carbon, and discussed how forest age affects storage and sequestration, arguing that younger forests often sequester carbon faster while older forests store more carbon overall. He also addressed how harvested wood products can continue to store carbon, responding to a question from a member about mass timber and carbon sinks.
The presentation included regional comparisons showing New Hampshire’s forest density, carbon storage, and sequestration relative to other New England states, and noted that New Hampshire forests offset more than 30% of the state’s annual greenhouse gas emissions from nonforest sources, while Maine and Vermont offset even larger shares. Mr. Lebec said eastern forests are generally carbon sinks, unlike some western forests affected by wildfire, and stressed that forest management, soil protection, and forest age all influence carbon outcomes. No votes or substantive policy actions were taken beyond approving the minutes; the meeting was primarily informational.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on State Government (2-12-26)
State Government
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:04:23.600><c> on</c> executive officers from the governor on executive officers from the governor
- I mean, the governor is the highest-ranking executive in the state.
- I mean, the governor is the highest-ranking executive in the state.
- I mean, the governor is the highest-ranking executive in the state.
- I mean, the governor is the highest-ranking executive in the state.
Committee:
House State Government
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Jan 19th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We have completed making our overall assessment of Governor Little's general fund revenue.
- We have completed making our overall assessment of Governor Little's general fund revenue projections
- Governor Little's projections for fiscal year 2026 were $5,512.6 million.
- And I appreciate the work of the committee because, as you look at that, we respect the governor and
- It is not in any way to reflect adversely upon the governor or his estimate.
Summary:
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee heard the Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee’s report on Idaho’s general fund revenue projections for FY 2026, FY 2027, and FY 2028. The report recommended revenues of about $5.665 billion for FY 2026 and $5.8166 billion for FY 2027, both above Governor Little’s projections, with committee members describing the outlook as generally conservative but supported by recent revenue collections and expert testimony. Members also noted a correction to the FY 2027 percentage increase in the report, changing it from 2.8% to 2.4%.
A substantial portion of the meeting focused on parliamentary procedure and the difference between “accepting” the report and “adopting” it. Staff explained that accepting the report would acknowledge the committee’s work, while adopting it would set the revenue number for JFAC. After motions were withdrawn and clarified, members debated the implications of the revenue level for future budgeting, including possible impacts on Medicaid, state employee compensation, education, transportation, fire funding, and conformity to federal tax changes. Several members said the recommendation was a prudent middle ground, while others emphasized caution and the need to preserve services or consider tax policy changes.
In the end, JFAC voted to adopt the Economic Outlook report with the FY 2027 percentage corrected to 2.4%. The motion passed unanimously, 10-0 in both the House and Senate votes. The committee then adjourned until the next morning.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 2/26/26
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- This Legislature has the power to make sure they don't. I ask for your support on House File 2904.
- This Legislature has the power to make sure they don't. I ask for your support on House File 2904.
- We need power to negotiate for our health insurance as a single unit. This can't wait.
- We need power to negotiate for our health insurance as a single unit. This can't wait.
- We need power to negotiate for our health insurance as a single unit. This can't wait.
Committee:
House State Government Finance and Policy
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Sincerely, Brad Little, Governor of Idaho. Brad Little, Governor of Idaho. March 31, 2026. Dear Mr.
- Sincerely, Brad Little, Governor of Idaho. From the Senate, March 31, 2026, Mr.
- Referred to the Judiciary Rules and Administration Committee for delivery of the Governor. Mr.
- Now, this is an increase, so this is an add-back that the governor did cut out.
- That the governor appoints, and then the Senate will approve that.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security
Transcript Highlights:
- greater importance than just a gap filler because it defines control and coercion in terms of the power
- that they cannot use that power to exploit people's vulnerabilities for their own sexual gratification
- of the threat of arrest what I appreciate about this bill is its focus on this course of power this
- These are abuses of power that devastate lives and corrode trust in law enforcement.
- He was rough with me, non-consensually, and threatened to use his power as an officer if I refused to
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on a wide range of public safety bills, with strong support from law enforcement, advocates, and other stakeholders. Several measures focused on police and correctional officer wellness and protections, including bills on critical incident leave and post-incident support for officers, a bill to improve POST Commission representation, and a bill to protect correctional officers from assaults and exposure to synthetic drugs like K2. Witnesses described traumatic incidents, rising assaults in prisons, staffing shortages, and the need for confidentiality in peer-support debriefings. Committee members asked questions about assault classifications, K2 smuggling, tablet-related contraband, and whether counseling records would remain confidential. No votes were taken during the hearing.
A major portion of the hearing was devoted to canine-related bills. Testimony supported creating a fund for retired police dogs and expanding emergency care training for working dogs injured in the line of duty. Speakers described police dogs as partners who locate suspects, missing persons, drugs, and weapons, and said retirement and medical costs are currently borne by handlers or nonprofits. The committee also heard testimony in favor of a purple alert system for missing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with advocates citing wandering risks, drowning dangers, and data from other states showing faster recovery times.
The committee also heard testimony on a bill to expand the definition of sexual assault by an officer to cover situations beyond formal custody, including investigations and other encounters where police have coercive power. Advocates for sex workers and anti-trafficking organizations said the change would close a loophole, protect vulnerable people, and address documented abuses. In addition, testimony was taken on a bill to protect Massachusetts residents from federal surveillance through fusion centers, with critics calling for stronger oversight of BRIC and related databases. Representative Jeff Turco also testified on bills to change POST Commission membership, arguing for more law enforcement representation.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- And second, it requires every institution to distribute education on power-based violence, including
- This is something that came from the Power-Based Violence Review Panel that Senator Barrow chairs and
- Where it says 'power-based conduct,' the amendment would delete the word 'conduct' and reinstate the
- So the amendment would be retaining 'power-based violence.'
- So the amendment would be retaining power-based violence.
Committee:
House Education
Summary:
The House Education Committee met on May 12, 2026, and first approved SB 518, which gives LSU limited authority to buy and sell certain real estate within one mile of campus as a two-year pilot program. Supporters said the bill would let LSU respond more quickly to deteriorating properties near campus and improve the student experience, while keeping protections such as appraisals and fair-market-value requirements. Members asked about whether the authority would affect residential property or be expanded to other universities, and the bill was reported favorably without objection.
The committee then advanced SCR 33, creating a one-year Work-Based Learning Coordination Task Force to study and better align apprenticeships, internships, job shadowing, and related programs across state agencies and employers. Testimony emphasized the need to reduce duplication and improve coordination so students and employers can more easily connect. HR 168 also passed, directing the Board of Regents to study collegiate athletic program funding after concerns raised by athletic directors about deficits and accounting practices.
Members next approved SB 488, establishing a school safety drone response pilot program to supplement school crisis plans. The bill drew detailed testimony from a vendor describing drone deployment, response times, and coordination with law enforcement; an amendment was adopted to require coordination with the Department of Education, State Police, and the Sheriffs’ Association. The committee also favorably reported HCR 97, asking BESE and Wildlife and Fisheries to study adding age-appropriate hunting, conservation, and shooting sports education in grades 5-12, with members clarifying that no live firearms would be used on campus.
Finally, the committee approved SB 112, allowing local school boards to adopt parental-consent release-time policies for religious instruction, with amendments adding instructor qualifications, reporting requirements, electronic delivery flexibility, and constitutional safeguards. It also reported SB 504, expanding individual graduation plans to include vocational options and apply to charter schools, with an amendment for standalone elementary charters. The committee then passed SB 346 and SB 347, both dealing with deepfakes—one prohibiting their use against K-12 students and the other adding unlawful deepfakes to campus power-based violence rules—and SB 353, authorizing postsecondary systems to digitize student IDs for use in LA Wallet. Several members raised concerns about naming LA Wallet specifically, but the bill was still reported favorably. The meeting ended with adjournment.