Transcript Highlights:

• </c> change of information which is standard change of information which is standard in<00:16:21.920>
• </c><00:52:25.200><c> So</c><00:52:25.440><c> a</c> that video becomes the standard.
• So a that video becomes the standard.
• </c><01:18:41.600><c> to</c> subpoena probable cause standard to subpoena probable cause standard to
• So that's the standard right there. I think I have my answer. Okay. Thank you. Anything else?

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The conference committee took testimony on Senate File 3051, which would allow law enforcement to release unredacted collision crash investigation video and related data to certain requesters, rather than requiring redaction first. Joel Carlson, speaking for the Minnesota Association for Justice, said the bill is intended to save local governments time and money because redacted video is often later released unredacted through court motions anyway. He emphasized that the proposal is limited to people already entitled to crash reports, requires a written request and accident report, does not create an affirmative duty to release data, and preserves law enforcement’s ability to withhold data for active investigations or other protected information. He also cited the Burks decision as support for the view that a subject of data is entitled to the full data even if it includes other subjects. Colonel Christina Bogavich of the Minnesota State Patrol raised concerns that the bill would still require staff to review videos for exceptions, including private data involving bystanders, juveniles, undercover officers, CAD information, and other protected material, so it would not create the claimed time savings. She also said the bill expands the number of potential requesters and lacks a liability provision if released data is improperly disseminated. Committee members and staff discussed the current Data Practices Act, including that private data can still be discoverable in litigation through a court balancing test and that protective orders may apply. A preliminary fiscal note estimated a Department of Public Safety cost of $4,026,334 annually, and members requested copies of the note. Members questioned whether the bill would actually reduce work or simply shift when the work occurs, and whether a litigation-specific exception to redaction should be added. Carlson said he was open to changes, including making release permissive rather than mandatory and strengthening the use restrictions, while members noted the proposal had not yet been heard in the House and would need more vetting. No vote or final action was taken on the provision during this discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:36:03.440><c> of</c> not have the same standards of not have the same standards of operation<
• are being regularly required standards are being regularly monitored<00:36:14.800><c> that</c><00:36
• and the standards around our unrelated<00:58:52.920><c> occupancy</c><00:58:53.480><c> table</c><00:
• on that single bilding line standards on that single bilding line the<00:59:30.400><c> table</c><00:
• dimensional regulations that go standard dimensional regulations that go along<00:59:40.400><c> with

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This one would, we talked before about setting it to the federal standard, but God knows what the feds
• unaware of any funding going to local municipalities to actually offset the cost of implementing the standard
• I certainly understand the standard, but what was the rationale behind separating this from the budget
• , and whether that national standard changes or not, we're going to try to abide by it and clean and
• It still would establish a standard, which I think is necessary so that if a hospital is either closing

Committee: Senate Health

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Health considered a series of health-related bills, many of which were reported favorably. Among the measures approved were SB 999, which would restructure Medicaid reimbursement for early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment services for children with IEPs or disabilities; SB 1816, lowering the state definition of elevated blood lead levels to 3.5 micrograms per deciliter; SB 1911A, extending due process protections for health care professionals when insurers terminate or fail to renew them; and SB 3105, allowing reciprocity for out-of-state medical cannabis patients. The committee also advanced SB 4589 on federally qualified health center rate adequacy, SB 4955B on Medicaid Inspector General audit procedures, SB 9196 to ban new for-profit hospices, SB 9237 expanding the definition of family for certain foster care health facility services, and SB 9275 requiring Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care and prohibiting related discrimination. Several of these bills were sent to Finance, while others were sent to First Reading or Higher Education as noted. The committee also discussed SB 2625, which would expand pharmacists’ authority to prescribe, administer, and dispense medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. One member raised concerns about expanding scope of practice without coordination with primary care or a holistic review of patient conditions, and indicated opposition; the bill was nevertheless referred to Higher Education. SB 5056B, requiring the Department of Health to examine heat vulnerability and heat-related deaths, prompted discussion about whether the bill should explicitly require recommendations for prevention; the sponsor said the idea was to gather data and that recommendations could be added, and the bill advanced with some reservations. Other measures included SB 7460, reauthorizing a maternal infant care centers pilot program using an existing $350,000 appropriation, and SB 9388, requiring public notice and engagement when a general hospital closes or shuts down a psychiatric, mental health, or substance use unit. The hospital closure bill drew discussion about relocations and whether moves that shift services to a new site would trigger the community engagement process; the sponsor said they would. Most bills were approved by voice vote, with some members voting no or without recommendation on certain measures, and the committee adjourned after reporting the bills onward.

Transcript Highlights:

• The term reason to believe, the objective standard.
• I'm a farmer, but I think it's a lower standard to make sure that if there's something nefarious going
• And so it's not the higher standard. I agree with that.
• And so it's not the higher standard. I agree with that. But it also puts everybody on notice.
• That consent can be revoked at any time by the individual, and it has a reasonable care standard for

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met for its first meeting of the session and quickly processed 11 RS introductions, with the chair emphasizing brief presentations because many members and presenters had other meetings. Most items were introduced without extended debate, and the committee repeatedly noted that fuller public testimony would occur later in the germane committees. The committee introduced RS 33389 to modernize vehicle titling and shorten lien-release timelines; RS 33127 C1 to let the Attorney General seek court enforcement and penalties against public officials, taxing districts, or government entities that do not comply with law; RS 33430 to regulate commercial collection, storage, consent, retention, and destruction of biometric data; RS 33366, with added language creating an exception for a minor child needing assistance in a single-sex restroom or changing facility; RS 33459 to clarify that certain labor-relations provisions do not include local police and fire departments; and RS 33402 to allow deficiency warrants for non-fire emergencies using Department of Lands assets. The committee also introduced RS 33458 on resolving public records disputes without litigation, RS 33476 revising annexation-related provisions, RS 33478 as a minor clarification to House Bill 709, and RS 33482 as a Tax Commission-requested change to House Bill 671, with a recommendation that it go to the second reading calendar. One item drew more discussion: RS 33443, a revision to mosquito district abatement reform. The sponsor said it added an opt-out for spraying, distinguished drone from plane spraying, reduced fees, and cleaned up language after feedback from Local Government. A substitute motion to return the bill to the sponsor failed, and the committee then approved introduction; Representatives Birch and Rebell were recorded as voting no. On RS 33127 C1, Representatives Rebell and Church raised concerns about one-sided attorney-fee recovery and withholding revenue before a case is proven, and both were recorded as no votes. The committee adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• administrator for scheduling procedures, and the program administrator must ensure that the quality of care standards
• Senate Bill 1964 modernizes Texas's digital governance by establishing clear definitions, ethical standards
• It mandates clear disclosures for public-facing AI systems and standardized notices about data use and
• We're particularly glad to see that the bill relies on established standards from the National Institute
• of Standards and Technologies AI Risk Management framework to ensure that there is strong and clear

Committee: House Delivery of Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:

• The budget process for community supervision and corrections departments CSCD includes an in-depth standards
• to TDCJ CEJAD, even though CEJAD is ultimately responsible for ensuring compliance with the state standards
• transparency and communication with the courts while ensuring that budgets meet all legal and fiscal standards
• They establish all the standards, all the rules.
• Responsibility, statutory responsibilities set and enforce compliance with in-depth standards, guidelines

Committee: House Corrections

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, the budget process for community supervision and corrections includes in-depth standard guidelines
• to TDCJ CJED, even though CJED is ultimately responsible for ensuring compliance with the state standards
• They establish all the standards and all the rules, which are very in-depth for CSCDs in terms of how
• Statutory responsibilities set and enforce compliance with in-depth standards, guidelines, reporting,
• responsible for ensuring the budgets and plans comply with state law, legislative intent, and... ...standards

Bills: SB663 , SB958

Committee: House Corrections

Keywords: community supervision, budget approval, corrections department, strategic plan, judicial oversight, SB 958, Texas Government Code, nondisclosure, order of nondisclosure, criminal history record information, trafficking of persons, human trafficking, compelling prostitution, survivor rights, record sealing, expunction, deferred adjudication, prostitution, controlled substances, theft

Transcript Highlights:

• Division 400 is Labor Standards.
• Labor Division 400 is Labor Standards.
• 09:47.640><c> enforcing</c> Standards is responsible for enforcing Standards is responsible for enforcing
• I've call wire uh firewise standards.
• </c><00:53:51.080><c> that</c> I could get have these standards that I could get have these standards

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and I I think those are two standards and I I think those are two standards right<00:40:50.240><
• I just think it should be standard practice.
• </c><02:03:36.599><c> both</c> there may be different standards both there may be different standards
• </c> numerous interviews outside the standard numerous interviews outside the standard interview<02:04
• </c><03:16:43.840><c> and</c> are looking for other like standards and are looking for other like standards

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It creates a basic safety standard for foreseeable, preventable harm.
• It creates a basic safety standard for foreseeable, preventable harm.
• It creates a basic safety standard for foreseeable, preventable harm.
• And is it up to the standards of what is needed today. And as Ms.
• And is it up to the standards of what is needed today. And as Ms.

Summary: The committee heard AB 1988, which would require AI companion chatbots to respond to credible self-harm or violence-related crisis expressions by displaying the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, warning users, and pausing the chat for human review after repeated crisis signals. The author and supporters said the bill is a measured safety standard to redirect vulnerable users to human help, citing research and cases where chatbots worsened suicidal ideation or violent behavior. Support came from crisis and medical advocates, while no opposition testimony was offered. The chair and members expressed strong support, and the bill was held pending quorum before later action on the agenda. The committee then took up AB 1709, which would set a minimum age of 16 for users to create or maintain accounts on social media platforms with harmful addictive features and would create an E-Safety Advisory Commission in the Attorney General’s office. The author argued the bill targets product design, not speech, and is intended to curb compulsive features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, and algorithmic feeds while allowing safer or non-addictive platforms to remain available. Supporters, including a psychologist and the Organization for Social Media Safety, described cyberbullying, predation, compulsive use, and mental health harms; opponents, including EFF, ACLU-Cal Action, TechNet, and youth advocacy groups, warned about privacy, First Amendment, and access-to-community concerns, especially for LGBTQ youth and other marginalized groups. Committee members debated whether the bill is a ban or a delay, how age assurance would work, and whether the proposal would be effective or could push youth to less safe spaces. Several members said they would support the bill as a first step, while others raised concerns about enforceability, privacy, and constitutional issues. The author emphasized that the bill is limited to specific harmful design features, not content or general internet access, and that the new commission would monitor evolving technology and recommend future updates. No final vote was taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> hard to have a standardized methodology. hard to have a standardized methodology.
• </c><00:53:57.520><c> So,</c><00:53:57.880><c> mental</c> services and standards.
• So, mental services and standards.
• </c><00:54:00.080><c> would</c> health uniform service standards would health uniform service standards
• It would enable us to standardize data and monitoring.

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of the safety and health standards of the safety and health standards establishes<00:19:31.280><
• </c><01:14:44.320><c> practices</c> for uniform standard practices for uniform standard practices applicable
• </c> clean fuel standard. clean fuel standard.
• HMSO if they could these standards.
• </c><01:26:58.239><c> whatever</c> public on a clean fuel standard whatever public on a clean fuel standard

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee met on February 5 and heard testimony on a long agenda of transportation-related bills. Early measures included HB 2392, which would create an employer tax credit for transportation demand management benefits; HB 2462, which would bar auto manufacturers and dealers from charging post-sale fees for already-installed hardware; and HB 2423, which would require diesel sold for on-road use to contain at least 5% biodiesel. HB 2392 drew support from the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization and one individual, with the Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation offering comments. HB 2462 drew support from DCCA and one individual, while the Alliance for Automotive Innovation opposed it. HB 2423 drew comments from the Hawaii State Energy Office and Hawaii Farm Bureau, support from Pacific Biodiesel and the Hawaii Transportation Association, and a question from the chair about whether biodiesel is exported; the witness said production stays local. The committee also heard HB 1771 on voluntary carbon offsets for air travel, HB 2081 on requiring firefighters exempt from CDL rules to follow equivalent alcohol and substance abuse policies, HB 2334 on allowing the Department of Transportation to assume NEPA responsibilities for certain projects, and HB 2336 on DOT agreements with the Department of Defense for work at military installations using federal funds. HB 1771 drew comments from Life of the Land warning that carbon offsets are often unreliable and could create liability, while Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines offered comments. HB 2081 received support from DOT, county human resources offices, fire departments, and county officials, with the Hawaii Firefighters Association in opposition. HB 2334 was supported by DOT, and the director said other states using NEPA assignment can complete projects in about half the time. HB 2336 was supported by DOT, HIEMA, DBEDT’s military relations office, and the Hawaii Military Affairs Council; the committee discussed the administrative fee as a way to recover costs under an intergovernmental agreement. The most extensive testimony centered on HB 1666, which would limit new motor vehicle markups above 5% of MSRP and require recordkeeping. Multiple dealer groups and the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association opposed it, arguing it would threaten dealership operations, especially in Hawaii’s high-cost market and for vehicles without an MSRP. The committee also heard HB 2375 on uniform towing and parking enforcement standards on state and leased lands, including notice, disability protections, payment safeguards, and public reporting; DLNR, DAGS, and several advocacy groups testified, with strong public support and concerns about towing practices and ADA compliance. HB 2415, which would appropriate funds for crosswalks near school properties, drew support from DOT, DOE, and the Hawaii Bicycling League, and the committee discussed how counties would request projects and how funding would be allocated. Finally, HB 2451, which would move Hawaii toward fare-free public transit beginning in 2027 and create a dedicated funding source through a petroleum tax increase, received broad support from DOT, the Energy Office, public health and advocacy groups, and many individuals; DOE testified that it currently uses about $2.1 million for student bus passes and that the program is tied to savings from inactive school bus routes.

Transcript Highlights:

• of roads to development to the standards of roads to this<00:51:41.359><c> Century</c><00:51:42.359>
• that period were not like the standards that the county would accept.
• </c><00:52:38.520><c> they</c> we improve the rules to a standard they we improve the rules to a standard
• that period were not like the standards that period were not like the standards<00:53:02.280><c> that
• </c> committee you have to use a standard committee you have to use a standard form<01:16:44.960><c>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several water, land, and conservation measures. HB 86, which would fund a permanent DLNR Makai Watch coordinator position, drew strong support from DLNR and community advocates. Testifiers said the coordinator is needed to connect community-based nearshore monitoring groups with government, support training and reporting, and provide stable civil-service funding instead of relying on grants and philanthropy. The committee discussed the position’s duties and cost, estimated at about $110,000 with fringe benefits, and noted broad support from organizations including Kuaʻulu, The Nature Conservancy, OHA, and others. HB 36, relating to state water code penalties, was also supported in principle by DLNR, but the agency proposed amendments to create two tiers of violations, distinguish first-time/non-harmful violations from repeat or harmful ones, and give the commission discretion on whether each day counts as a continuing violation. DLNR said the bill is intended to address egregious cases such as Red Hill while avoiding undue impact on small farmers and others without malicious intent. Testifiers from the Board of Water Supply, Lono Initiative, and others supported stronger penalties and transparency, while Earthjustice raised concerns about broader structural issues and the risk of penalties being applied unfairly. The committee then heard HB 316, which appropriates funds to continue the Green Jobs Youth Corps program. DLNR, the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office, Kōkua, The Nature Conservancy, and other groups testified in support, describing the program as a workforce pipeline that places young professionals in communities, builds trust, and helps recruit future state employees. Supporters said the program has expanded capacity in watershed and reef management and has drawn extensive public backing. Finally, HB 506, funding equipment for the Oʻahu branch of DOCARE, received support from DLNR and others. DOCARE said recent recruit classes are moving through training, that the new positions will expand patrol capacity, including nighttime enforcement, and that the Oʻahu-specific funding is tied to priorities such as the Māʻili Bay herbivore rules. The committee also began hearing HB 510 on water shortage and emergency declarations. DLNR proposed limiting shortage declarations to 90 days unless extended, capping groundwater reductions at 20% for lower-priority permits, removing climate-crisis language as a standalone criterion, and moving the process into rulemaking for more public input. The Board of Water Supply supported the bill and the proposed changes, while Earthjustice urged deferral absent broader Water Commission reforms. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided; the chair indicated the committee would be decision-making after the hearing on items on the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• One is that current standards and building codes, including here in Massachusetts, protect consumers.
• So this is not a costly new burden for businesses; it is an increasingly common standard for suppliers
• This bill also ensures that any changes made to our standards are approved by the people who know our
• , ...or renovated irrigation systems meet certain standards.
• This legislation would help raise those standards by holding people accountable.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure opened with logistical remarks about testimony procedures, time limits, accessibility supports, and the large number of witnesses. The first bill discussed was H. 451, which would allow professional license applicants who do not have a Social Security number to use an ITIN instead. Supporters said the bill would help qualified workers, especially immigrants, enter licensed trades and professions without lowering training or testing standards, while addressing workforce shortages. Committee members asked a few questions, and the bill was framed as a uniform statewide licensing reform. The bulk of the hearing focused on S. 210 and H. 1278, two bills aimed at improving wheelchair repair and warranty protections. Supporters included the Attorney General’s Office, disability advocates, wheelchair users, clinicians, and legislators, who described long repair delays, missed work and medical appointments, loss of independence, hospitalizations, pressure injuries, and other harms caused by broken wheelchairs and slow service. They argued for stronger timelines, two-year warranties, required parts availability, loaner chairs, and enforcement mechanisms, with H. 1278 modeled on a Connecticut-style repair deadline and S. 210 focused on warranty protections. Several witnesses emphasized that wheelchairs are essential medical equipment, not ordinary consumer goods. Opposition came from NCart, which said it supports solutions but raised concerns that the bills, as written, could be difficult to implement for complex rehab technology. NCart said some warranty provisions may not fit wear-and-tear components and noted that MassHealth has already taken steps such as preventive maintenance, reduced prior authorization, and transportation support. Other witnesses and advocates countered that the current market is dominated by a few profitable companies and that the legislature needs to impose clear standards because voluntary fixes have not worked. The committee also heard testimony on S. 195, a toxic-free kids bill from Senator Comerford and Representative Hawkins, which would restrict PFAS and other toxic chemicals in children’s products and create disclosure and phase-out requirements. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also allows us to ask for additional positions to reduce caseloads to an industry standard.
• This will bring CCHCS up to community standards.
• There's POST, which does all of the standards and trainings for, and has a certification process for
• and materials and training files, how we train, meet those standards that are set by POST.
• So there's a piece post, which does all of the standards and trainings for, does all the standards and

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Relieving IOU liabilities will decrease safety standards, not increase them.
• But one of our recommendations is to establish a standard that allows... ...establish a standard that
• Standards do get better. SDG&E did it.
• So it's what defines having met the highest safety standards. Yes. It's like...
• It's what defines having met the highest safety standards. Yes.

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• map using the decennial data. ...to comply with the federal Constitution's one-person, one-vote standard
• You know that it's a tiered standard. It's a tiered architecture.
• So that's simply just part of the balancing of all of the standards.
• So sometimes using those political and geographical features, which are also a redistricting standard
• They are certainly not a gold standard, and exact numbers can't be looked at again.

Summary: The Committee on Rules met with a quorum present and took up a presentation from the Governor’s office on proposed congressional reapportionment. Executive Office of the Governor counsel Mo Jazeel argued that mid-cycle congressional redistricting is legally permissible, that race should not be used in drawing districts, and that the Florida Fair Districts provisions are inconsistent with federal equal protection principles and, in the executive branch’s view, are inseverable. Jason Parada then presented the proposed map, explaining that it was drawn using 2020 census block data, with county growth estimates used only as a guide, and that the plan was designed to be race-neutral while also considering compactness, county and municipal boundaries, and other traditional redistricting criteria. He said the map keeps 48 counties and 382 municipalities whole, has compactness scores comparable to the current map, and makes the largest changes in South Florida, with some districts remaining unchanged and others reconfigured around population shifts and geographic boundaries. Members questioned both presenters extensively about the legal basis for disregarding the Fair Districts Amendment, the use of partisan data, the absence of racial analysis, and whether the map truly reflects population growth. Jazeel said the executive branch’s position is that race-based provisions in the state constitution cannot be used if they conflict with the U.S. Constitution, and that the forthcoming U.S. Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Calais could further clarify the law. Parada said he did not use race in drawing the map, did use partisan information as one of several traditional criteria, and relied on 2020 census data for population equality. Senators also pressed him on who reviewed the map, why the public and legislators had limited time to review it, and whether the plan was intended to favor Republicans; Parada denied partisan intent and said he was the only person who moved lines on the map, though he consulted with other Executive Office of the Governor staff and counsel. Several senators raised concerns that the map did not clearly reflect Florida’s recent population growth, that some districts remained highly irregular, and that the plan appeared to be based on a legal theory contingent on future court rulings. The presenters responded that congressional districts must be equal to the person, that growth estimates can only guide orientation rather than replace census data, and that the map was designed to preserve as much of the existing structure as possible while making the largest adjustments in South Florida. No vote or final action on the map was taken during the excerpted portion of the meeting, and the committee continued with questions and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• So what this public benefit standard.
• It may be a health standard that may be too rigid or whatever it is.
• </c><05:24:01.440><c> agricultural</c> result of standard agricultural result of standard agricultural
• </c> as a result of standard practices. as a result of standard practices.
• And so that's why my standard for that.

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environmental Policy Subcommittee took up HB 1621, which would require a baseline environmental impact study before development of certain manufacturing and storage facilities. Members said the concept had merit, but they could not resolve major drafting and implementation issues, including how to define covered facilities, what the study would require, and how enforcement would work at the municipal or county level. Several members expressed concern about unintended consequences and said the proposal was not ready; the subcommittee voted unanimously to recommend inexpedient to legislate (ITL), and the full committee later adopted that recommendation on a 16-0 roll call vote, placing the bill on consent. The committee then discussed HB 1053, involving electronically submitted pesticide use reports. Representative Comtois presented an amendment creating a department database and protecting confidential information, but said she still needed to check whether it was germane and to review administrative issues with the Department of Agriculture. After hearing from David Russo of the Division of Pesticide Control, the committee agreed to continue work on the amendment and took no action that day. The committee also reviewed HB 1186 on egg labeling and producer exemptions. Representative Comtois offered an amendment exempting small producers from most requirements except labeling, but Commissioner Sean Jasper asked for more time to review the impact and suggested the state might not need the existing egg law at all if federal USDA rules already cover the field. Members agreed to hold action until the following week. Finally, the committee began discussion of HB 1780 on penalties for violations involving seeds, plants, and nursery stock, focusing on labeling rules and germination-date requirements; testimony from industry and department representatives indicated they were working toward a compromise that would allow multiple relabelings, add production dates, and set a 36-month sale limit, but no final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Board of Education, minimum standards for public ...
• Education, minimum standards for public school approval and the academic standards.
• Um, and your statewide assessment is built around those standards, or supposed to be aligned with them
• Two thousand three hundred and fifty-nine students used the standardized test method, norm-referenced
• standardized test.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Freedom Account Oversight Committee met on March 27 and approved the agenda, adding a request for clarification on how the Children’s Scholarship Fund separates applications for the EFA program and the education tax credit program. The committee also approved minutes from December 30, 2025, and March 27, 2026, with a request that the March minutes include a link to the live stream. Members discussed the status of pending Legislative Budget Assistant audit reports on EFA and special education, noting the reports were still not released and would likely come later in the summer after review by the Department of Education and the Children’s Scholarship Fund. A major topic was the EFA program’s administrative fee, which statute allows up to 10% of deposits. Children’s Scholarship Fund representatives said current administrative costs were under 8%, that staffing had been reduced through the ScholarVia platform, and that any unused amount is reconciled and returned to students at year’s end. Members asked for historical administrative-cost data and a written explanation of how the withholding and reconciliation process works. The committee also reviewed the distinction between the EFA and education tax credit funding streams and was told the two programs use separate applications and separate funds, though both use the same platform. The committee spent substantial time on assessment and accountability. Department of Education staff explained that EFA students may satisfy annual assessment requirements through a portfolio, a norm-referenced test, or the statewide assessment; only about 10 EFA students took the statewide assessment, while most used portfolios or standardized tests such as the California Achievement Test and NWEA. Staff described how statewide assessment data are kept separate by student identifier and can be aggregated for EFA reporting, and members asked for breakdowns by grade, test type, and school district. The department also discussed linking assessments through Lexiles and Quantiles and said it could provide a list of commonly used formative assessments in New Hampshire districts. The committee additionally discussed a possible PSAT addition to the state contract and the costs of the statewide assessment program. Another major issue was special education eligibility and services within the EFA program. Members questioned the rule allowing a medical certification of disability from a licensed professional anywhere in the United States as an alternative to an IEP-based determination. Department staff said the current system allows either pathway, that about 1,000 EFA students are identified as special education students, and that the program does not track growth or service alignment on an individual basis. Members expressed concern that the medical-certification route may be too broad and asked for data on the disability categories used. The committee also discussed career and technical education access for EFA students, noting that Senate Bill 491 would provide guidance and that House Bill 1817 would address access and funding issues, but that current law still allows EFA funds to be used to pay CTE costs. The meeting ended with a request for future agenda items and a decision to leave the next meeting date open until fall, pending further information from the LBA audit process.

Transcript Highlights:

• Does the Department of Human Services currently have a written standardized restraint protocol?
• Does the Department of Human Services currently have a written standardized restraint protocol?
• in Warren not being up to the standard at the other four centers.
• And, you know, I know... ...to the standard at the other four centers.
• that the standards were not what was expected, nor at the other four centers.

Keywords: 1204, all