Transcript Highlights:

• To school meals while also trying to bring that balance and focus on funding our schools.
• school nutrition programs, improving school nutrition finances.
• and the school district.
• The schools are doing a ton.
• Peter's School District.

Bills: HF51 , HF1161 , HF2201 , HF2786 , HF1053

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• currently</c> schools or school districts currently schools or school districts currently don't<00:20
• c> culture</c> with school climate and school culture with school climate and school culture and<01:44
• </c> to the school whether you know school to the school whether you know school should<04:17:07.760>
• </c><04:26:59.960><c> to</c> school or the school coordinator to school or the school coordinator to
• </c><05:05:21.558><c> board</c> School Board it was a a school board School Board it was a a school board

Summary: The House Education Policy and Administration Committee heard testimony on House Bill 71, which would bar public elementary and secondary schools and higher education facilities from being used as shelters for certain non-citizens, with a stated exception for short-term emergency sheltering of up to 72 hours and for community-wide emergency use. Prime sponsor Rep. Juliet Harvey-Bolia said the bill was modeled on federal and out-of-state proposals and was prompted by examples in New York and Massachusetts where schools or other facilities were used as shelters, causing disruption. She argued the bill does not truly “ban” anything, but instead places a condition on receipt of state funds, and said the fiscal note’s projected loss of federal funding was unsupported and should have been described as undeterminable. Committee members questioned the bill’s scope and practical effects, including whether it would apply to vacant school-owned buildings, schools used during summer, charter schools, and situations where other states send people without advance notice. Harvey-Bolia said vacant buildings not functioning as schools would not be covered, and that the bill would still allow short-term emergency sheltering and community-wide use during weather events. She also said the bill would not prevent remote learning, and that its purpose was to avoid displacing students. Several members pressed her on the fiscal note and whether any federal or state program would actually be at risk; she said she found no evidence that funding would be lost and that DHHS had not identified a real threat. A witness from the New Hampshire Association of School Administrators, Jerry FW, raised practical concerns about who would determine eligibility at a shelter site, how the 72-hour limit would be enforced, and whether the bill would apply to charter schools. He also noted that remote learning is no longer an option in New Hampshire, making one of the bill’s stated concerns less relevant. The discussion also included clarification of the terms “refugee” and “asylum seeker,” with members and the sponsor debating the distinction and whether refugees are vetted. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• at our school.
• </c><00:13:32.040><c> built</c><00:13:32.320><c> in</c> School our Middle School was built in School
• High School, and Uvalde public schools. for our community for the school and for for our community for
• All 15 schools, I believe 16 schools, have the complete system in their schools.
• Representative Bierman: So the high schools and the middle schools and the elementary schools?

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• School, Mulokai Middle School, Khalani High School, Punoho School, Damon Memorial School, Pearl City
• Mulokai Middle School; Khalani High School; Punoho School; Damon Memorial School; Pearl City High School
• </c> School on Kauaii. School on Kauaii.
• , Kalahel High School, University Laboratory School, and Moana High School.
• A title one school where half of school.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mexico funds its schools right.
• Additionally, I think we're lucky at our school to have school nurses on staff.
• on the school.
• I think for our school. We were already a no cell phone school before the mandate came in.
• My grandmother taught school.

Transcript Highlights:

• could be expelled from a school or a school district, enroll online homeschool, and then be able to
• or curriculum of a public school.
• specific school.
• district to school district.
• agreement for school facilities.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> schools to public charter schools. schools to public charter schools.
• Charter schools are specific um schools.
• of our public schools into charter schools. schools. schools.
• </c> back to schools. back to schools.
• Private schools, or to private school.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of the district school. of the district school.
• </c><01:05:24.880><c> already</c> School District and the school already School District and the school
• Look at your elementary school, middle school, high school, and see if it was compliant or not.
• <c> schools.
• </c> 294 schools. 294 schools.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• . schools. schools.
• </c><00:19:21.280><c> staff</c><00:19:22.559><c> to</c> schools to provide more school staff to schools
• And really having our student support staff, our school social workers, school nurses, school counselors
• to school.
• ><c> school</c> Minneapolis public school school Minneapolis public school school counselor,<00:59:53.920

Transcript Highlights:

• class I'm not here advocating for or against public schools private schools charter schools I'm advocating
• Schools and school districts should not be invested.
• But Dallas ISD, being as innovative as it is, open to high school, CityLab High School. school, right
• . public schools, ISDs, charter schools.
• Toby mentioned that there is a charter school within 1500 feet of the school.

Bills: SB604 , SB843 , SB1636 , SB2395 , SB571 , SB1224 , SB1832 , SB2392 , SB747 , SB2623 , SB2624 , SB2185

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> public school system. public school system.
• Charter School build Minneapolis public Charter School build Minneapolis public schools<01:06:39.039>
• ><c> schools</c><01:09:31.279><c> as</c> pit schools against schools as pit schools against schools as
• school.
• Charter schools are by schools face.

Bills: HF3790 , HF3654 , HF3371 , HF3470 , HF1099

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> School Librarians um that every school School Librarians um that every school should<00:24:59.760
• to school.
• </c><00:28:08.960><c> to</c> these vary greatly from school to these vary greatly from school to school
• As a result, many school school safety.
• Area Schools. Um I'm an enrolled member Area Schools.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• to school to expectations from school to school to classroom<00:47:54.760><c> to</c><00:47:54.960><c
• elementary school school elementary school principles<00:58:42.799><c> um</c><00:58:43.680><c> thank
• every school district has to have a policy, but many of the schools, and most of the schools, started
• </c> of the schools and most of the schools of the schools and most of the schools um<01:03:18.200><c
• </c> school as we heard from High School school as we heard from High School principles<01:08:44.480>

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• How are your schools, or what are your schools doing for America’s 250th birthday?
• She did not have any high school or middle school financial literacy education.
• preparation and the middle school look-ahead to the high school course once we know what the high school
• School District.
• This certification involves specializing in school counseling, school social work, school psychology,

Transcript Highlights:

• How are your schools, or what are your schools doing for America’s 250th birthday?
• She did not have any high school or middle school financial literacy education.
• preparation and the middle school look ahead to the high school course once we know what the high school
• School District.
• This certification involves specializing in school counseling, school social work, school psychology,

Summary: The joint Senate and Assembly Education Committee hearing featured opening remarks from legislators welcoming students from the California Association of Student Councils and SABLE, with members emphasizing student voice and noting that several past student proposals had become law. The hearing then moved through multiple student panels presenting policy ideas, with members responding in a mix of support, technical questions, and cautions about cost, implementation, and tradeoffs in instructional time. The first panel proposed an annual civic engagement day for grades 7-12 to increase civic literacy and participation through flexible school-based activities. Members asked about costs, flexibility for sixth grade, voter registration, and how the proposal would fit within existing curriculum and standards. The second panel proposed amending Education Code Section 35012 to require at least one student board member in every unified and high school district, with added motioning rights and training on budgeting and LCAPs; members raised concerns about mandate costs, board size, and the scope of motioning authority. The third panel proposed middle school financial literacy instruction, potentially embedded in existing classes like math, with a 10-year phase-in for teacher training and curriculum updates; members questioned whether the state should wait for the already-approved high school financial literacy course to be implemented first. The fourth panel proposed expanding restorative justice by creating a CDE task force and authorizing PPS-certified staff to use restorative justice materials in discipline processes; members discussed prior legislation, confidentiality in expulsion hearings, and the likely cost of a state task force. The fifth panel proposed short, twice-a-semester mental health and life-skills sessions for grades 7-12, but members expressed skepticism that brief classroom sessions could meaningfully address mental health needs and suggested wellness centers or student-led awareness efforts instead. The hearing then began panel six on AI implementation in classrooms, with students arguing that districts need clearer guidance on AI use and that education must adapt rather than ignore the technology.

Transcript Highlights:

• preparation and the middle school look ahead to the high school course once we know what the high school
• School District.
• This certification involves specializing in school counseling, school social work, school psychology,
• This certification involves specializing in school counseling, school social work, school psychology,
• However, at my current high school At my current high school, Wheatland Union High School, we had programs

Summary: The annual joint Senate and Assembly Education Committee hearing featured student proposals from the California Association of Student Councils and SABLE, with opening remarks from legislators emphasizing student voice and the value of hearing youth ideas. Committee members noted the hearing was being streamed and that they would review the testimony even though some members could not attend because of fog-related travel issues. The first panel proposed an annual civic engagement day for grades 7-12, with flexible school-led activities such as discussions, mock elections, and voter registration-related events. Members generally praised the idea but raised concerns about costs, instructional time tradeoffs, how to evaluate effectiveness, and whether the proposal should better connect to existing civics standards and local curriculum. The second panel proposed amending Education Code Section 35012 to require at least one student board member in every unified and high school district, with added training and the right to make motions. Legislators supported student representation in principle but questioned whether the proposal should require one or two student members to avoid board tie issues, why some districts do not already have student trustees, and how the mandate would be funded if it became a state requirement. They also raised technical concerns about the scope of motioning power and the fiscal impact of converting a voluntary local practice into a statewide mandate. Later panels proposed adding middle school financial literacy instruction, expanding restorative justice practices, and creating more structured mental health education time. On financial literacy, students suggested integrating finance into existing middle school classes and teacher training over time; members worried about curriculum overload and suggested aligning the idea with the already-approved high school finance course. On restorative justice, students proposed a CDE task force and training for PPS-certified staff; legislators discussed prior related bills, confidentiality concerns in discipline hearings, and the likely cost of a state task force. On mental health, students proposed short, twice-semester classroom sessions focused on coping skills and awareness of resources, but members questioned whether such brief lessons could be effective and suggested that wellness centers, student-led awareness, and outside referrals might be more practical. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with encouragement for students to refine their proposals and follow up with legislators.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've heard from a school nurse.
• We also work closely with school districts and charter schools to strengthen family-school partnerships
• in the virtual school.
• She was moved within the same school district, Caldwell School District.
• At that time, we joined two other virtual schools, which were both charter schools.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Practices vary between districts, charter schools, and private schools.
• School.
• charter schools, who have very high-performing schools.
• in their schools.
• in their schools.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• I was a superintendent of schools.
• Our sitting school board, Mrs.
• our only school board member who currently has young children in our public schools.
• school board, which I was, and an elected superintendent of schools, which I was.
• I am a public school teacher."

Bills: S0824 , S1170 , S1620 , S1738 , S7036

Committee: Senate Education Pre-K - 12

Summary: The Education Pre-K-12 Committee considered several K-12 bills and resolutions. SJR 1104, by Senator Massullo, would place on the ballot a proposed constitutional amendment protecting voluntary religious expression in public schools; supporters said it simply codifies existing law and protects student and employee rights, while opponents warned it could entrench religious pressure and exclusion. The resolution was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 1738, by Senator Yarborough, on educational facilities; an amendment removed crime-prevention-through-environmental-design language and adjusted transparency/safe-space provisions, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. SB 824, by Senator Truenow, was amended into a transparency measure requiring districts to submit annual reports on unimproved land holdings to DOE, and it was reported favorably. Appointments in tabs 7 and 8 were recommended for confirmation. The committee then took up SPB 7036, a comprehensive education package by Chair Simon. The bill would expand educational emergency triggers, adjust Title I withholding uses, align charter school rules with school improvement processes, update safety and early learning provisions, expand literacy and math interventions, and revise educator pipeline policies. Members raised concerns about a provision that could allow the state to develop instructional materials; Simon said that section was still being considered and would need guardrails. The committee adopted a motion to submit the bill as a committee bill, and it was reported favorably. SB 1620, by Senator Leak, proposed a “school board members’ bill of rights” giving board members direct access to district documents and staff, limiting district attorneys’ dual representation, strengthening nepotism rules, and prohibiting nondisclosure agreements. Volusia County school board members and others testified both for and against the bill, with supporters citing transparency and accountability and opponents warning about confidentiality, staff pressure, and undermining the superintendent’s authority. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, SB 1170, by Senator Calatayud, as amended, would allow parents of students in self-contained ESE classrooms to request cameras, with district policies governing review, notice, timelines, and appeals. Parents, advocates, and educators testified strongly in support, while one witness opposed it as an unfunded mandate. The committee reported the bill favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• school.
• school.
• It's a school district with my school, the individual schools, and I'm just curious how this is going
• That is up to the school, the school district.
• schools.

Bills: SB23 , SB73 , SB210 , SB234 , SB243 , SB244 , SM16

Committee: Senate House Education

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 23, which would require school districts and charter schools to adopt and implement policies prohibiting student use of wireless communication devices during the school day, with exceptions for medical needs, assistive technology, emergencies, and educator-approved instructional use. The sponsors and PED/Broadband officials said the bill builds on last year’s law, responds to classroom distraction and cyberbullying concerns, and pairs the mandate with access to the Education Technology Infrastructure Fund for implementation support. Supporters included NEA-NM, AFT-NM, Teach Plus, New Mexico Kids Can, higher education, ECED, and others, who said the bill would improve focus, classroom culture, and student readiness. Some members questioned the three-year phase-in, local control over consequences, effects on recess/lunch and after-school programs, charter and virtual school enforcement, and whether statewide mandates were necessary; the committee ultimately advanced the bill on a 6-3 vote, with Senators Pope and Soules voting no. The committee then heard Senate Bill 73, which would add a requirement that driver education include instruction on vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, bicyclists, and others outside vehicles. The sponsor and supporters from APS, NEA-NM, AFT-NM, PED, Albuquerque city officials, cycling and pedestrian advocates, and individuals affected by traffic violence said New Mexico’s high pedestrian and bicyclist fatality rates make the training necessary and that better education could improve safety and awareness. Some testimony connected the bill to broader public health, climate, and Vision Zero efforts, while several speakers shared personal stories of crashes and losses. Committee members asked about the three-hour requirement, whether it would apply to existing drivers, how it would be implemented by DOT and MVD, and whether the bill should also address training for vulnerable road users themselves; concerns were also raised about rural road conditions and the limited behind-the-wheel training currently required. The committee passed SB 73 on a 6-3 vote, with Senator Thornton voting no. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 234, an appropriation of $1.2 million to Albuquerque Public Schools for transportation of students in foster care. The sponsor and an expert witness, a former CYFD caseworker, described serious transportation failures after contracts were terminated, saying caseworkers were forced to drive children themselves and that missed or late rides disrupted schooling and overburdened staff. APS, New Mexico Child First Network, and CYFD all supported the bill, saying it would clarify responsibility, relieve caseworkers, and ensure continuity of transportation for foster youth. Committee questions focused on why the appropriation was limited to APS rather than other districts with transportation shortfalls, whether $1.2 million would be enough, who would provide the rides, and what safety/background-check standards would apply if contractors were used. The bill was still under discussion when the transcript ended.