Video & Transcript : 'educational stability' :
Page 470 of 500
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Board of Education.
- Board of Education.
- And it creates the methodology for education to be... ...It creates the methodology for education to
- However, medically accurate, as determined by the Department of Education or the Board of Education,
- of Education, yes, right—the Chancellor of Education, the Secretary of Education, the Senate.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, and several recognitions, including tributes to former members and law enforcement. The chamber then adopted the special order report and moved to the day’s special-order calendar. Early bills passed unanimously, including CS/HB 401 on FDLE security details for major party nominees for governor and lieutenant governor, CS/HB 1063 on gubernatorial transition procedures, HB 593 on governmental agencies and personnel, CS/CS/HB 655 on confidential attorney-client meetings for local governments in pending litigation, and HB 6011 on ethics gift/honoraria reporting procedures. Each of these measures was explained by sponsors as transparency, security, or administrative process legislation, and each passed 115-116 to 0.
The chamber then took up CS/HB 125, designating October 14 as Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance. The bill drew extensive and sharply divided debate over whether a state remembrance was appropriate for Kirk, with opponents arguing he was a polarizing political figure and that the House should focus on affordability and other constituent concerns, while supporters framed the bill as a defense of free speech and opposition to political violence. A proposed amendment to replace the designation with a George Floyd remembrance was ruled not germane. After structured debate, the bill passed 82-31.
Members also considered transportation designation measures. SB 628, substituted for CS/HB 885, included multiple road and bridge namings and an amendment designating a 124-mile stretch of State Road 80 as the President Donald J. Trump Highway; the amendment and bill passed 82-26. CS/HB 33 similarly designated portions of roads as Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue and President Donald J. Trump Boulevard, prompting another lengthy debate over the appropriateness of honoring political figures and the use of public roadways for such designations; it passed 82-30. The House then began debate on CS/HB 35, “Isaiah’s law,” which would add driving without a valid license to the habitual traffic offender list after repeated offenses, with sponsors citing a fatal hit-and-run and opponents questioning prosecutorial discretion and the bill’s practical effects.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Dec 3rd, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- Welcome to the Appropriations Committee on Higher Education.
- She is also a proud product of Florida's higher education system.
- afford to go out of state or out of city for their education.
- The role is to help Florida families pay for the cost of higher education.
- Eighty-one percent of our graduates are employed or are continuing their higher education.
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to hear confirmations for 19 appointees and reappointees to university and state college boards, with most of the agenda focused on the University of Florida, Florida A&M University, Florida Atlantic University, University of Central Florida, Florida State University, Florida Polytechnic University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Pensacola State College, State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, North Florida College, South Florida State College, and the Florida Prepaid College Board. Testimony from the nominees generally emphasized their educational backgrounds, professional experience, and priorities such as student success, workforce development, financial sustainability, research growth, housing, and maintaining or improving institutional rankings. Several UF trustees highlighted the university’s “One UF” vision, institutional neutrality, and goals of reaching top-three or top-one national status. Other nominees stressed the role of state colleges in workforce pipelines, and Florida Poly witnesses focused on STEM growth, housing, and strong graduate outcomes.
One in-person public testimony came from Elijah Hooks, who spoke in opposition to the current FAMU administration and described his expulsion, arrest, and trespass from campus after protesting the appointment of President Marva Johnson. For FAMU, Jocelyn Dobson Rodriguez testified in support of her appointment, emphasizing her legal background, alumni ties, and goals of strengthening leadership, alumni engagement, and the connection between the main campus and the College of Law in Orlando. For Florida Atlantic University, Tina Vidal-Duart was questioned closely about her prior service on the Hope Florida Foundation board and about CDR Health’s involvement in state contracts; she said she was not aware of the foundation’s governance problems at the time and that CDR’s state contract was a flat daily rate.
The committee then voted to report all appointees favorably except for Tina Vidal-Duart, whose confirmation was held for a separate vote at the request of Senator Bracy Davis. After discussion, the committee voted 5-1 to report her confirmation favorably as well. The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Appropriations - Education and Environment Division Apr 14th, 2025 at 02:30 pm
Appropriations - Education and Environment Division
Transcript Highlights:
- Did the Board of Higher Education, Mr.
- SIF funding for nursing education consortium. Mr.
- Higher education funding formula.
- Never was designed to be an education building, but it was a gift, and it worked, and it's been a education
- Never was designed to be a education building, but it was a gift, and it worked, and it's been a education
Bills:
SB2003
Keywords:
higher education, student loans, scholarships, capital projects, workforce development, funding, North Dakota university system, 908, all
Summary:
The committee met to work through the higher education budget, beginning with a conflict-of-interest request from Representative Martinson, who was excused from voting because of a partnership that leases office space to Bismarck State College. Members then reviewed the higher education institution budget sheets, covering ongoing and one-time funding items for campuses and system projects such as BSC housing, Lake Region roof repairs, UND’s STEM and National Security Crossroads projects, the UND allied health facility, NDSU projects including New Horizons, DSU deferred maintenance and campus security, Mayville’s Old Main, Minot projects, and the regional health institutes. Members also discussed student financial assistance, the professional student exchange program, IT security funding, and workforce/education innovation grants.
Several amendments and policy questions were debated. The committee adopted an amendment to make workforce education innovation grants competitive rather than automatically distributed, and then voted to remove language prohibiting those funds from being used to duplicate academic programs. Members also removed similar anti-duplication language from the New Horizons section. They agreed to extend the UND hyperbaric chamber transfer authority to 2027 and clarified language around UND land-sale proceeds. A proposed amendment to add $5.6 million for the Wahpeton State School of Science building purchase failed for lack of a second, and a proposal to restore fetal alcohol spectrum disorder funding to UND was left for conference. The committee also discussed, but did not add, a tuition cap change, a study on the Praxis exam, and several governance-related provisions.
The committee spent significant time on broader higher education policy items, including a $3 million enterprise resource planning request for the university system, a $2 million grant program for students who are pregnant, recently gave birth, or are caring for young children, and a $1.1 million request for library age-verification software tied to the Odin system. Members also discussed dual-credit authority for UND and NDSU, a goal for the UND medical school to increase North Dakota resident enrollment, and intent language regarding the commissioner/chancellor model and presidential search authority. At the end of the meeting, the committee approved the amendments and then gave the higher education budget a do-pass recommendation as amended, with Representative Sanford designated as the carrier. The Forest Service budget was also approved, including two additional FTEs, and the committee adjourned after noting it would continue with other budgets the next day.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- She says, Dear Senators and Education Committee, my name is Dr.
- That we have consistency in education, regardless of how that education looks.
- I didn't realize that private schools were part of the definition of educational entity.
- So, because it is all education related. Did you, you want, okay, yeah.
- disclosure statements from applicants and all educational employers or educational contractors with the
Committee:
Senate Education
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- So it's not just, you know, if they're educated, as in early childhood education, education is the best
- So it's not just, you know, if they're educated, as in early childhood education, education is the best
- But my question is: what is special education? Special education.
- IDEA, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, defines special education, and the costs that are
- The way it works in education settings is typically a teacher or a care provider with education capacity
Committee:
House Budget
Summary:
The committee first heard the Office of the Governor’s FY 2027 budget request from Adam Gresham. He explained the office’s staffing and noted a $500,000 core reduction, along with a reallocation of three positions and about $168,000 from the governor’s office to the mansion operating fund to better reflect where those employees work. Members asked about the National Guard emergency line, which Gresham said had already spent about $63,457 in FY 2026 and could be used again for disaster activations, though he did not expect to use the full $4 million. He also said the agricultural resiliency transfer fund had not been used and had no current transfer plans. Several members commented on the size of the governor’s cut and whether the judiciary and other offices were also being asked to reduce budgets. No votes were taken.
The committee then moved to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Childhood and early childhood-related budget items. DESE staff described funding for the Office of Childhood, MoQPK child care provider grants, LEA pre-K grants, early childhood special education, Parents as Teachers, First Steps, preschool coordination, after-school programs, and child care subsidy. Members asked extensively about the MoQPK grants, including why Head Start providers were eligible, how curriculum approval works, and what safeguards exist against fraud or improper payments. DESE said it conducts physical inspections, desk reviews, payment-system checks, and investigations as needed, and that it had not had findings in this area. Some members questioned whether DESE or DSS was the right home for early childhood programs, while others defended the partnership and the role of early educators in identifying child needs.
A major portion of the discussion focused on early childhood special education and the child care subsidy program. DESE explained that First Steps serves children birth to age three, while early childhood special education covers ages three to five and is driven by IEP eligibility; members asked for more data on diagnoses, trends, and how many children come off IEPs. The committee also discussed the child care subsidy budget and the governor’s proposed shift to paying providers based on authorization and at the beginning of the month. DESE said the change is being piloted, that a wait list is expected to begin around March 1, and that a May rollout is being considered, but only if software testing and fiscal projections show the system is sustainable. Members expressed frustration that promised changes had been delayed and that providers had been told different timelines, while DESE said the delay was driven by software issues, fiscal caution, and the need to avoid repeating prior payment problems. The hearing ended with the committee in recess before later resuming discussion of the subsidy program; no final votes or actions were taken in the portion provided.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- /c><00:07:09.360><c> public</c> experience in education and public experience in education and public
- Thank you. nominated in the education side nominated in the education side paytoplay<00:08:59.440><c>
- </c><00:09:21.440><c> and</c> education chair. and education chair. and GM774<00:09:23.440><c> has</c
- These education boards and authorities play a vital role in formulating statewide educational policy,
- You know these educational sector.
Summary:
The Senate convened with all 25 members present, approved the prior day’s journal, and heard several introductions, including visiting staff, guests, and Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, who was recognized for her work with the food bank and noted as acting governor that week. The chamber also received House communications returning several Senate concurrent resolutions adopted unamended, and one House-amended resolution, SCR 192, was taken up. Senator Wakai moved to disagree with the House amendments to SCR 192, the motion was seconded and carried, with conferees to be named later. Standing committee reports were then taken up, including reports 1931 to 1939 for one-day notice and report 1940 for adoption, which was adopted without objection.
The Senate then considered a series of advice-and-consent nominations, beginning with education-related appointments. Senators spoke in support of nominees to the Hawaii Teachers Standards Board, the State Board of Education, and the School Facilities Authority Board, while Senator Awa and others raised objections to several nominees, arguing that campaign donations by some appointees created the appearance of “pay to play.” Despite those objections, the nominations were ultimately confirmed. The chamber also confirmed Dwight Takamini as chair of the Hawaii Labor Relations Board after strong support from multiple senators who cited his labor, legislative, and public service background.
The Senate next confirmed Christine Sakuda as chief information officer for the Office of Enterprise Technology Services, with supporters emphasizing her IT leadership and public service and noting she is the first female and Native Hawaiian to hold the post. The chamber also confirmed Kahuanoi AD Jackson as judge of the Circuit Court of the Third Circuit and Sonia H. Toma as judge of the District Family Court of the Second Circuit, with senators highlighting their prosecutorial and public service experience and the favorable testimony received in committee. After these confirmations, senators introduced the new appointees and their families in the gallery.
Later, the Senate adopted additional standing committee reports on House concurrent resolutions and passed SB 849 HD2 on final reading, relating to wildlife conservation, by unanimous consent. The body also reconsidered and reversed earlier disagreement on House amendments to SB 116 and SB 946, agreeing that the amendments were technical and giving one-day notice for final reading. The meeting concluded with a late introduction of the Honokaʻa Jazz Band, which was praised for its national recognition and community service, and senators invited members to a later concert in the rotunda.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 4/1/25
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- My name the House Education Committee.
- </c><00:18:48.000><c> Those</c> targets for higher education. Those targets for higher education.
- We are students, dreamers, education.
- </c> Coulter talked about my education Coulter talked about my education background.<00:31:55.200><c>
- ,</c> can say state grant, best education, can say state grant, best education, best<00:35:47.920><c>
Committee:
House Higher Education Finance and Policy
Keywords:
North Star Promise, scholarship, higher education, Minnesota Office of Higher Education, in-demand jobs, workforce development, career training, job market, high-demand occupations, high-demand industries, college aid, state financial aid, FAFSA, student eligibility, program of study, degree program, certificate program, community college, university, labor market data
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- So it's all within the school State Board of Education, or State Department of Education, sorry.
- So last year on the Education Committee, we were Chairman, so last year on the Education Committee we
- And I told him about how complicated education was, that the language inside education is literally Pig
- And then the bureaucracy of education is so complicated that no one in their lifetime who's not an educator
- I'll take the blame as an educator.
Committee:
House Education
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bills 656 and 657 were referred to the Education Committee.
- and the Division of Career Technical Education have been reviewed and approved by the House Education
- House Bill 49 by the State Affairs Committee, relating to education.
- It also, with regard to the education service providers, requires that anyone as an education service
- expenses that have been approved by the local education agency and verified by the State Board of Education
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Jan 28th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Good afternoon, and welcome to the Appropriations Committee on Higher Education.
- While many higher education institutions have... Threats to their physical safety.
- with educational institutions for over 20 years.
- have a special mission to educate our citizens and help improve our society.
- So education is very much in my interest.
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education heard two bills and then moved through a series of confirmations for university and college boards of trustees. Senate Bill 176, by Senator Polsky, would require public postsecondary institutions to have clear, publicly available safety policies and reporting procedures for threats to students, faculty, staff, and visitors. An amendment clarifying the bill’s scope was adopted without objection, there was no public testimony against it, and the committee reported the bill favorably. Members spoke in support, emphasizing campus safety and the need for clear reporting paths.
The committee also heard Senate Bill 116, by Senator Bradley, which would establish the University of Florida Diabetes Institute in statute to advance research, prevention, care, education, collaboration, and outreach on diabetes. Testimony included support from AARP and others, and members praised the institute’s research role and the growing public health importance of diabetes. The bill was reported favorably.
The remainder of the meeting focused on confirmations for trustees at FIU, UNF, UCF, USF, and Miami Dade College. Nominees and reappointees described their backgrounds and priorities, including student success, research growth, workforce development, engineering, health care, cybersecurity, and fiscal stewardship. Committee members asked several nominees about nursing NCLEX scores and university performance, and one public commenter raised concerns about campus climate and student safety. The committee then voted to report the confirmations favorably in a block and adjourned.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/21/2026 - Senate Education Committee of Reference
Senate Education Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- The Senate Education Committee of Reference is called to order.
- Our mission is very straightforward: it's to increase access to high-quality higher education for all
- And I apologize in advance for all the acronyms that we have, but I guess that's higher education.
- Madam Chair, I moved at the Senate Education Committee of Reference, thank you.
- All right, now we have a presentation by the Arizona Department of Education.
Summary:
The Senate Education Committee of Reference first heard a sunset review of the Credit Enhancement Eligibility Board. Governor’s Office staff explained that the board was created in 2016 to lower borrowing costs for qualifying schools by providing a state guarantee that improves credit ratings, but the board has no dedicated staff or budget and is now largely in a monitoring role because it has reached its statutory leverage cap. Members discussed the long maturities of the approved financings, whether rural districts might benefit from additional capacity, and why a 10-year continuation was being requested. The committee voted to recommend continuing the board for 10 years until July 1, 2036.
The committee then heard a sunset review of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). WICHE’s president described the interstate compact, its regional student access programs—WUE, WRGP, and PSEP—along with behavioral health fidelity reviews and cooperative purchasing savings. Testimony emphasized tuition savings for Arizona students, the return of health care graduates to Arizona, and the value of regional collaboration. The committee voted to recommend continuing WICHE for 10 years until July 1, 2036.
Finally, the committee reviewed the Arizona Department of Education School Safety Program performance audit. The Auditor General reported that the program has grown substantially, but many sampled schools were not fully complying with requirements such as operational plans, safety teams, training, activity logs, and reimbursement documentation. The department agreed with the finding and said it would implement the recommendations. The school safety director responded that the department has already begun tightening monitoring, training, and documentation procedures, and he answered questions about emergency plans and campus safety. No further action was taken on the audit, and the meeting adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Okay, members will reconvene the Senate Education Committee K through 16 and resume our public testimony
- It is about Holocaust education. Alice Min, Ali Hoffman, Sheila Hemphill.
- Please uplift education like this bill does. Thank you. Okay. Go ahead.
- institutions of higher education, to adopt minimum standards for Texas institutions of higher education
- And I worry that these creative forms of education, a disciplinary procedure.
Committee:
Senate Education K-16
Summary:
The Senate Education Committee K-16 resumed public testimony on Senate Bill 735, a Holocaust education bill. Alice Min spoke in support, saying learning about difficult parts of history is important for understanding American history and the experiences of minority communities. Sheila Hemphill also supported the bill but urged broader language to include multiple genocides and more instructional material. After a brief exchange, public testimony on SB 735 closed and the bill was left pending.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 800, which would strengthen higher-education orientation materials on sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking policies, and Senate Bill 2310, which would require public institutions to post clearer online degree and transfer requirements. Both bills were explained by their authors, committee substitutes were adopted, no public testimony was offered, and each bill was left pending. Senate Bill 2055, a cleanup bill for the Texas Leadership Scholars Program, was also heard and left pending after no testimony.
A major portion of the meeting focused on Senate Bill 1069, which would require investigations and mandatory termination for faculty found to have discriminated against students based on religion, with a department placed under conservatorship after a termination. The author said the bill was meant to address religious discrimination and protect students; several witnesses, including Muslim and Jewish law students and other advocates, argued it was too vague, lacked a definition of religious discrimination, threatened academic freedom, and could chill speech. The bill was left pending after testimony. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2972, which would set new limits on expressive activity on public university campuses, including restrictions on encampments, masks, sound amplification, and protests during finals; opponents said it would restrict free speech and protest rights, while the bill was adopted as a committee substitute and left pending. Senate Bill 2815, allowing students to choose the diploma name after a university merger or renaming, was briefly heard and left pending.
Later, the committee took up pending business and voted out several bills. SB 2920, SB 2398, SB 2927, SB 2929, SB 1241, SB 1395, SB 401, SB 1972, and SB 2540 were reported favorably, with some committee substitutes adopted and several placed on the local and uncontested calendar. SB 1241’s substitute would have the Higher Education Coordinating Board study standardized test equivalency scores for admissions. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:02:34.879><c> month</c> is career and technical education month is career and technical education
- </c> strengthen financial literacy education. strengthen financial literacy education.
- </c><00:07:35.199><c> care</c> teach future educators, health care teach future educators, health care
- </c> an act relating to education. an act relating to education.
- I have taught at five educator.
Committee:
Senate Education
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint House Higher Education Finance and Policy and Senate Higher Education Committee 3/18/25
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> nonprofits that improve educational nonprofits that improve educational outcomes<00:36:48.440><c
- </c><00:38:13.960><c> to</c> most affordable accessible education to most affordable accessible education
- Jamal Adam, an educator, policy expert, and lifelong advocate for expanding access to higher education
- </c> and educational and educational Excellency<01:04:21.240><c> and</c><01:04:22.200><c> to</c><01:04
- </c> three pillar SE primar service education three pillar SE primar service education research<01:04
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- President, your Committee on Education, having had under consideration HB 2040 relating to public educational
- reports of over $10 million of misspending in the ESA voucher program on non-education-related items
- education, we are making them in the best interests of all children.
- It is time for us to recognize that we have children in many different kinds of education situations,
- Section 15-115.02, amending section 15-711 and relating to public educational institutions.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest introductions, and a light April Fools proclamation directing the sergeant-at-arms to wear a silk top hat for the day. The chamber then agreed to the House request to adjourn from April 2 to April 7, and messages from the House were received, including transmission of some bills to the Governor. The body also briefly recognized visitors from the Arizona Psychiatric Society and the nominee to lead the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs.
In Committee of the Whole, the Senate considered several bills. On the first calendar, it advanced HB 2120 on property tax exemptions and disability determinations, HB 2174 on insurance business and modeling data, HB 2289 on truth-in-taxation bond notices, HB 2861 on marital/postnuptial agreements, and HB 2903 on banks and financial institutions. On the second calendar, it advanced HB 208 on school libraries, HB 2040 on public educational institutions and adoption information, HB 2075 on school employee contracts, HB 2203 on public school reporting requirements, HB 2255 on school employee training, HB 2383 on school property leases and housing development, and HB 2903 again as amended. Several floor amendments were debated, including a successful hostile amendment to HB 2075 that was later rejected, and committee amendments to other bills were adopted.
The Senate then took third-reading votes on multiple bills. HB 257, HB 2131, HB 2223, HB 2264, HB 2857, HB 2120, HB 2174, HB 2289, HB 2861, HB 2903, HB 2008, HB 2040, HB 2075, HB 2203, HB 2255, and HB 2383 all passed, with recorded roll-call votes and several members explaining their opposition or support. HB 2255 passed with the required three-quarters vote. The chamber also adopted the Committee of the Whole reports and transmitted the bills as appropriate.
Before adjournment, Senator Miranda read a proclamation recognizing Farm Workers Day, and Senator Tothley offered a statement and moment of silence in memory of Passion Swartz, urging review of turquoise alert practices. The Senate then voted to adjourn until Thursday, April 2, 2026 at 10 a.m.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Mar 16th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Her role is to educate, advocate, and offer transparency.
- Recovery legislation, her role is to educate, advocate, and offer transparency to communities driven
- Ana Luisa Gonzales-Ortega is a first-generation Mexican-American educator, becoming her own advocate.
- Telma Boak is a Beriesa Union School Board trustee and has been a lifelong educator for more than 40
- Regina Donahue is a retired educator and corporate secretary for the Mary R.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Feb 19th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Higher Education & Workforce Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Welcome to the Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee.
- But even there, I was embraced and supported in my quest for education.
- And I really like that about the higher education space.
- We want it to be part of the applied education.
- We want it to be part of the applied education here.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Tobacco Settlement Revenue Oversight Nov 14th, 2025
Tobacco Settlement Revenue Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair, where can these funds be used to educate for educational purposes for the youth?
- Youth Advocacy and Education.
- As far as education goes, unless you're educating school boards on how to implement those policies, there
- This also includes retailer education.
- if we're only educating contractors, how is that education being disseminated throughout the state.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- with the Arizona Education Association.
- Educators already know when removal is necessary.
- And educators, administrators cannot violate FERPA.
- Okay, the Education Committee. Okay, the Education Committee. Sorry. Thank you, thank you everyone.
- The Education Committee is adjourned.
Committee:
House House Education Committee of Reference
Summary:
The committee took up SB 1074 first, a bill requiring that if a teacher removes a student from class under student conduct rules, an administrator may only return the student to the classroom after giving the teacher a written certification authorizing readmission and describing any disciplinary action taken. Senator Kavanaugh said the bill was intended to reduce teacher burnout by improving transparency and making teachers feel supported when they refer students for discipline.
The bill drew opposition from the Arizona Education Association, which argued it was a repeated solution to a problem that does not address the underlying need for behavioral, emotional, and academic supports. The association also said students should not be treated like criminals and noted FERPA limits what administrators can share. The Arizona Charter Schools Association also opposed the bill, saying classroom discipline decisions should be left to individual schools rather than mandated by statute.
Support came from Superintendent Horn’s office, which cited ADE teacher retention and recruitment surveys showing student behavior, lack of administrative support, and dissatisfaction with administration as major reasons teachers leave. After testimony on SB 1074, the committee moved to recess for five minutes by a 6-4 vote, and then adjourned for the afternoon before taking further action on the remaining bills.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Funding (01/28/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> um swept the state wide education um swept the state wide education property<00:06:01.039><c> tax
- </c> it recognizes the additional educational it recognizes the additional educational cost<00:06:09.919
- </c> still be greater than special education still be greater than special education as<00:17:48.960>
- <00:32:53.039><c> among</c> Education among Education among districts<00:32:55.240><c> yeah</c><00:32
- </c> Matters and by I believe the education Matters and by I believe the education Law<00:36:35.680><
Summary:
The committee took up HB 651, a school-funding bill that would raise the base cost of an adequate education and increase differentiated aid for students in poverty, English language learners, and special education. The chair opened with housekeeping notices about parking and eating in committee spaces, and noted a revised fiscal note would be distributed. Representative David Luneau presented the bill as part of a broader package of public school funding measures, explaining that HB 651 builds on HB 550 and is intended to respond to court rulings and the ongoing school-funding litigation by adjusting both the base adequacy amount and equity-based funding factors.
Luneau said the bill would raise the state’s adequacy grant from about $4,100 to $7,351 per student and increase differentiated aid, while also updating statutory language so future recalculations include the court-identified resource elements. He argued the measure is about fairness and shifting more of the burden from local property taxpayers to the state, not about increasing overall education spending. He reviewed fiscal-note figures indicating the bill would add roughly $576 million to the state share of school funding, bringing the total state share to about $1.65 billion, and said the note also mentions possible effects on charter schools and vouchers.
Committee members asked about the evidence supporting higher costs for low-income and English learner students, how long ESL funding should continue, why free-and-reduced-lunch aid remains higher than special education aid, whether the formula is based on enrollment or average daily membership, and whether the bill is truly equitable across districts of different sizes and needs. Luneau and later witness Zach Shen of the New Hampshire School Funding Fairness Project said the bill is supported by research and court findings, that the current formula relies heavily on local property taxes, and that shifting more funding to the state would reduce property-tax pressure and help address disparities among districts. Shen also cited broad public support for the related HB 550 testimony and said HB 651 is intended as a step toward a more equitable funding system. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.