Bills: HB271, HB271

Keywords: HB271, ReEngage Alabama Grant Program, Alabama Commission on Higher Education, adult learner, adult education, returning student, college completion, higher education grant, tuition assistance, mandatory fees, FAFSA, workforce development, community college, university, associate degree, bachelor's degree, stop-out, nonreverting funds, financial aid, postsecondary education

Transcript Highlights:

• I will call the Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee to order.

Bills: HF2431

Keywords: higher education, college affordability, student aid, state grants, North Star Promise, scholarships, financial aid, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, Office of Higher Education, tuition relief, work-study, child care grants, hunger-free campus, food insecurity, student parents, pregnant students, parenting students, sexual misconduct, Title IX

Transcript Highlights:

• I will call the Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee to order.

Bills: HF2431

Keywords: higher education, college affordability, student aid, state grants, North Star Promise, scholarships, financial aid, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, Office of Higher Education, tuition relief, work-study, child care grants, hunger-free campus, food insecurity, student parents, pregnant students, parenting students, sexual misconduct, Title IX

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, Senate Education Committee will come to order.
• It directs KLEA to consult with the Department of Education to develop that curriculum.
• Would you believe that it's actually the opposite that for sex education or comprehensive health education
• I've worked on that bill many times to make sex education an opt-in.
• That is a land speed record for the Senate Education Committee.

Bills: HB3312, HB3700, HB2981, HB2961, HB3016, HB4478, HB4326, HB3025, HB3710

Keywords: firearm safety, public schools, education policy, student safety, gun control, opt-out option, grading system, student assessment, academic integrity, state funding, opinion conduct, open meetings, school boards, transparency, public access, education governance, HB2961, TSgt Marshal Dakota Roberts Gold Star Survivor Act, Gold Star family, Gold Star recipient

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Education Committee will come to order.
• Would you believe that it’s actually the opposite, that for sex education or comprehensive health education
• I’ve worked on that bill many times to make sex education an opt-in.
• You have to start your eligibility upon entering your higher education institution.
• You have to start your eligibility upon entering your higher education institution.

Bills: HB3312, HB3700, HB2981, HB2961, HB3016, HB4478, HB4326, HB3025, HB3710

Keywords: firearm safety, public schools, education policy, student safety, gun control, opt-out option, grading system, student assessment, academic integrity, state funding, opinion conduct, open meetings, school boards, transparency, public access, education governance, HB2961, TSgt Marshal Dakota Roberts Gold Star Survivor Act, Gold Star family, Gold Star recipient

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met and first recognized visiting students and staff from Putnam City North and Edmond Public Schools. The committee then took up several House bills, beginning with HB 3312, which would require annual age-appropriate firearm safety instruction in public schools starting in the 2026–2027 school year, with CLEET and the Department of Education developing the curriculum. The bill was advanced on a 9-2 vote after the author described it as a safety measure and cited a personal tragedy involving children and a firearm. The committee also passed HB 3700, requiring colleges and universities to adopt policies ensuring grades are based only on academic performance, and HB 2981, requiring school districts to post school board meeting minutes within two weeks of approval. HB 2961, creating the Tech Sergeant Marshall Dakota Roberts Gold Star Surviving Act to provide tuition, fees, and room and board for spouses and children of Gold Star recipients at state public universities or career tech schools, passed unanimously after discussion of a possible fiscal impact. HB 3016, establishing a two-year pilot vision screening program for about 12 schools to identify convergence insufficiency disorders linked to literacy, also passed. Later, HB 4478 passed to raise the daily deposit threshold for school districts and sites from $100 to $500 while still requiring weekly deposits. HB 4326, a cleanup bill related to Oklahoma’s Promise deadlines, certified teacher definitions, and a contingent T-SET-related provision, passed after debate about its unfinished status and funding concerns. HB 3025 passed with a change excluding donations from general fund collections for carryover balance purposes for one year, and HB 3710 passed to make a new higher education program cohort-based, requiring students to begin eligibility as freshmen. The chair closed by noting the committee had moved quickly, and announced upcoming executive nominee meetings and another committee meeting the following week.

Bills: SB 49, SB 60, SB 365, SB 685, SB 895, SB 1191, SB 1400, SB 1401, SB 1786

Keywords: junior college funding, performance tier, credentials, education, workforce development, Texas education law, performance tier funding, junior college, Texas education, student success, performance funding, education policy, state finance program, public junior colleges, educational outcomes, academic fresh start, higher education, student admissions, Texas Education Code, public university

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> education</c><00:43:00.079><c> purchase</c><00:43:00.400><c> with</c> makes a general education
• purchase with makes a general education purchase with special<00:43:00.960><c> education</c><00:43:01.440
• We really think it's critical that charter schools have to use their general education budget to do safety
• She said it is critical that charter schools have to use their general education budget to do safety
• </c><01:21:19.920><c> Every</c> costs without direct aid. Every costs without direct aid.

Bills: HF3492, HF3493, HF3494, HF3495, HF3602

Keywords: school safety, grants, education funding, Northern Lights Express, security improvements, rural schools, safe schools, charter schools, nonpublic schools, Tribal education, funding increase, safe schools aid, school security, mental health support, Tribal schools, cybersecurity, funding, mental health, evidence-based plans, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• So those are automatically disqualified students for receiving aid.
• We can say state grant best education, best choice...
• What's the purpose of education?
• So I don't know what the purpose of education is.
• Minnesota is a generous state, but for some...

Bills: HF2634, HF2241, HF2649, HF2520, HF2610

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Um those students for receiving aid.
• Uh simply saying and financial aid.
• </c><00:18:48.000><c> Those</c> targets for higher education. Those targets for higher 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>

Bills: HF2634, HF2241, HF2649, HF2520, HF2610

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

Transcript Highlights:

• near general fund outlook impact of $1,053,000.
• and $30,000 per fiscal year from the general fund.
• The four-year general fund state impact is $70,000.
• The fiscal impact is $3.7 million general funds over the four-year to DCYF and $2.8 million general funds
• And the total funds is not general fund, correct?

Bills: SB6147, SB6082, SB5862, SB5882, SB6323, SB6346, SB6162, SB6256, SB6220, SB5650, SB6343, SB6113, SB6211, SB6114, SB5898, SB6347, SB6244, SB5868, SB5762, SB5988, SB6194, SB6246, SB6223, SB6052, SB5828, SB5954, SB5963, SB5909, SGA9306

Keywords: grocery establishments, closure notice, consumer rights, local businesses, student financial aid, financial aid fraud, higher education, college enrollment fraud, fictitious students, ghost students, enrollment fraud, aid integrity, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, AI fraud, fraud prevention, Washington State, legislative audit, JLARC, full-time equivalent

Transcript Highlights:

• , employment, and life in general.
• In general.
• UNM Graduate Medical Education Program.
• However, we do so much rural education in our current clinical delivery system. do so much rural education
• will be here for the next 10 generations.

Bills: SB5, SB6, SB8

Keywords: physician residency, healthcare, rural communities, medical education, appropriation, education, medical school, New Mexico, construction, behavioral health, funding, mental health services, general fund transfer, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We train the pipe fitters, we teach the welders, and we educate the nurses.
• students, and 54% receive financial aid or scholarships.
• Our commitment to education goes far beyond classroom walls. St.
• We supply generators to things like water treatment plants across the state.
• A new 1.42-mile County State Aid Highway around Progress Parkway and Wolverine.

Bills: HF2418, HF1666, HF232, HF344, HF402, HF431, HF468, HF547, HF583, HF1476, HF1711, HF2787, HF2788, HF3207

Keywords: capital investment, political subdivisions, state assistance, funding, project grants, child care, Slayton, state bonds, economic development, extended time revenue, school funding, state aid, career and technical education, CTE, STEM, secondary credit, after-school programs, summer school, learning year program, extended day

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:01:58.159><c> As</c> felt for generations to come. As felt for generations to come.
• </c><00:02:14.959><c> the</c> teach the welders, and we educate the teach the welders, and we educate
• students, and 54% receive generation students, and 54% receive financial<00:02:54.879><c> aid</c><00
• </c> financial aid or scholarships. financial aid or scholarships.
• The next generation.

Bills: HF2418, HF1666, HF232, HF344, HF402, HF431, HF468, HF547, HF583, HF1476, HF1711, HF2787, HF2788, HF3207

Keywords: capital investment, political subdivisions, state assistance, funding, project grants, child care, Slayton, state bonds, economic development, extended time revenue, school funding, state aid, career and technical education, CTE, STEM, secondary credit, after-school programs, summer school, learning year program, extended day

Transcript Highlights:

• And they have actually ended up in litigation between the board of education and Franklin County and
• And they have actually ended up in litigation between the board of education and Franklin County and
• of them fighting each other in court over title to the land. ...litigation between the board of education
• It basically streamlines the process to obtain a teaching certificate for educators moving into Alabama
• </c><00:13:33.360><c> comments</c> school education comments school education comments apprenticeship

Bills: SB337, HB520, HB75, SB337, HB520, HB75

Keywords: SB337, Montgomery County, probate judge, judge of probate, county officer compensation, salary increase, circuit judge parity, local legislation, county commission, general fund, public official pay, judicial compensation, Montgomery County Legislation, discrimination, immunization, facial coverings, healthcare rights, religious convictions, civil rights, Attorney General

Transcript Highlights:

• degree or go on for a master's, it is still education.
• An institution of higher education that discontinues operations or that discontinues the educational
• institutions of higher education.
• Public institutions of higher education.
• But I am thinking about college education experiences.

Bills: HB2427, HB2458, HB2474, HB2540, HB2589

Keywords: ink of hope act, mental health, substance use, rehabilitation, community support, Washington college grant, postsecondary education, nondegree programs, student access, financial aid, consumer protections, school closures, educational programs, student rights, emergency medical services, EMT recertification, healthcare, first responders, public health, encampments

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several post-secondary and workforce-related bills. House Bill 2427 would require tattoo artists to complete annual human trafficking awareness training through the Department of Licensing. The prime sponsor and a trafficking survivor testified that tattoo artists may be in a position to notice branding or other signs of trafficking and connect victims to help. One opponent argued the bill would impose compelled speech and burdensome annual training requirements. The hearing closed without a vote. House Bill 2458 would expand Washington College Grant eligibility to approved non-degree credential programs. Supporters from community and technical colleges, workforce partners, and United Way said the bill would help students in short-term, job-aligned programs such as construction, CDL, IT, and other credentials that lead to family-wage jobs and better access to financial aid. House Bill 2474 would expand student consumer protections when a school or program closes, including required teach-outs or transfer options, refunds, and voiding certain student debt. The Student Achievement Council and student advocates supported the bill as a needed update, while independent private colleges raised concerns about financial penalties, program flexibility, and differences from existing accreditation standards. House Bill 2589 would regulate encampments on public higher education campuses by limiting them to registered student organizations or recognized bargaining units, requiring notice and institutional approval, and allowing removal of unauthorized encampments. The sponsor said it was a content-neutral campus safety measure that would not ban protest, while supporters cited recent campus encampments and safety concerns; opponents argued it could burden speech and should not apply to private nonprofit colleges. House Bill 2540 would extend EMT recertification intervals from three to six years for EMTs certified in Washington for at least 10 years, while keeping ongoing training requirements unchanged. Firefighter and EMS supporters said it would reduce administrative burden and costs. No bills were voted on during the meeting, and the chair reminded members of amendment request deadlines for the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> really getting into egg and EG education really getting into egg and EG education so<00:18:35.400
• </c> difference in moving afnr education difference in moving afnr education forward<00:21:23.559><c>
• </c><00:22:41.480><c> and</c> steadfast support of egg education and steadfast support of egg education
• </c> whether there's a younger generation whether there's a younger generation starting<00:34:25.760>
• And then those are educational expenses, or that income is educational income.

Bills: HF711, HF653

Keywords: agriculture, agricultural education, leadership development, Minnesota Agricultural Education and Leadership Council, MAELC, chapter 41D, grant funding, general fund appropriation, commissioner of agriculture, farm education, youth agriculture programs, ag literacy, workforce development, extension education, research funding, extension services, technology transfer, grant programs, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, I learned from my esteemed Democrat colleague that the Arizona Attorney General is in strong
• I've been pretty critical of the attorney general, but for her to step up and support this bill, that
• welfare, and secure these blessings of liberty for ourselves, defense, promote the general welfare,
• So it's not really a fee that generates a lot of revenue for the courts.
• Most educational. Anything else? Any other speakers? Closing comments? Okay. Thank you, sir.

Bills: HB2043, HB2046, HB2126, HB2131, HB2132, HB2133, HB2223, HB2265, HB2411, HB2666

Keywords: felony murder, unborn child, homicide, Arizona Revised Statutes, life imprisonment, death penalty, education, funding, school districts, state aid, education reform, venue, employee conflict, superior court, legal proceedings, workplace disputes, weapons, explosives, trafficking, firearm regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• educators all across the state.
• that the fifth generation lives.
• The last thing I want to close on is education.
• We need to push for education so everyone is more safe.
• And, as an aside, I'm a fourth-generation New Mexican.

Bills: SB4, SB7, SB9, SB17

Keywords: Medicaid, healthcare, medical education, salaries, graduate education, clinician pay, health sciences, education funding, faculty salary, University of New Mexico, healthcare funding, general fund, state budget, New Mexico legislation, gun control, firearm safety, dealer regulation, illegal trade, background checks, 996

Transcript Highlights:

• It's about creating a new education program.
• </c> it's about creating a new education it's about creating a new education program<00:15:57.880><c>
• MTA has a telecom-specific safety and education program that's been around since 1981.
• MTA has a telecom-specific safety and education program that's been around since 1981.
• This telecom-induced damage was not only more common, but also generally done to essential utilities,

Bills: HF47, HF335

Keywords: telecommunications, installation, certification, safety, underground utilities, HF335, Greater Minnesota, economic development, public infrastructure, grant program, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, business development, infrastructure grants, local government aid, general fund appropriation, rural development, site development, utilities, roads

Transcript Highlights:

• for students and public institutions of higher education.
• Generally, then, House Bill 3062 would require public institutions of higher education to provide fentanyl
• HB 2674 prohibits the Texas Education Agency, the State Board of Education, and any other state educational
• and eventually to broader special education services.
• Brooks Moore, I'm the Deputy General Counsel at the A&M System, Office of General Counsel.

Bills: HB126, HB121

Keywords: election laws, attorney general, prosecution, criminal offenses, voting integrity, education, property values, school districts, comptroller, funding formula

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 met to hear testimony on a full agenda of education-related bills. Several measures were laid out and left pending, including HB 322 to allow JET Grant funds to be used for subscription-based and ongoing technology costs for career and technical education; HB 3062 to require fentanyl and drug-poisoning prevention instruction for entering college students; HB 121 to update school safety laws, including TEA peace officer commissions, annual renewal of certain safety exceptions, new reporting requirements, and special education behavior threat assessment changes; HB 3627 to let the State Board of Education chair employ staff; HB 5515 to curb inflated shipping and handling charges on instructional materials; HB 2674 to prohibit new state regulation of homeschool programs; HB 2310 to require a statewide strategic plan for early learning and inclusion for young children with disabilities; HB 367 to standardize documentation for excused absences due to serious illness; HB 1178 to speed certification for out-of-state educators and military spouses; and HB 1481 to expand cell phone restrictions to the full school day. Testimony was generally supportive on most bills, with some concerns raised on HB 121 about school district police departments investigating misconduct and on HB 2674 about how it would interact with the new ESA program in SB 2. HB 5515 drew support from instructional materials coordinators who described extreme shipping invoices and argued the bill would restore transparency and fiscal responsibility. HB 2310 was supported by disability advocates and early learning groups, who said a coordinated state plan would improve access and inclusion for children with disabilities. HB 367 was presented as a simple clarification to reduce confusion for medically vulnerable students and families, and HB 1178 was described by TEA as a modest pathway that would help bring experienced out-of-state teachers into Texas schools more quickly. HB 126, updating Texas’ NIL law to align with the pending House settlement and allow direct payments and pre-enrollment NIL agreements, received extensive testimony from university counsel and committee questioning about the settlement, recruiting, and future college athletics rules. HB 1481, expanding school cell phone restrictions from instructional time to the entire school day, drew strong support from parents, students, educators, and advocates who linked phones to distraction, cyberbullying, and mental health harms; one teacher asked for flexibility so phones could still be used for limited academic tasks. No bills were voted out; each measure heard was left pending subject to the call of the chair, and the committee then recessed to attend the floor session.