Transcript Highlights:

• We have an education program.
• </c><00:16:36.160><c> um</c> you know, we we have educational um you know, we we have educational um
• Education. Education.
• I am a Know Your Rights educator based on Maui. I engage in Know Your Rights education statewide.
• I am a Know Your Rights educator based on Maui. I engage in Know Your Rights education statewide.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Education heard three tandem resolution packages. HCR 13 and HR 15 sought collaboration among the Department of Education, the State Public Charter School Commission, and DLNR to develop a student coral stewardship program. DOE said it was willing to work with DLNR, and DLNR supported the measure but said it did not want to be the lead agency for reporting or curriculum development because of existing reporting burdens and because it was already active in school outreach. Testimony in support was received, and the committee later amended the measure to restore DLNR as the lead for the report while keeping DOE and the Charter School Commission as collaborators. The committee then voted to pass HCR 13 HD1 and HR 15 HD1 with amendments. HCR 91 and HR 83 proposed a long-term collaborative program between DLNR and DOE to expand and sustain tree canopy coverage at public schools statewide. DLNR strongly supported the measure, DOE offered comments, and the Boys and Girls Public Health Institute testified in support, citing research on heat reduction, student health, and academic impacts of shade trees. Additional supportive testimony came from the Kaululu Nani Urban and Community Forestry Program Advisory Council and others. The committee voted to pass HCR 91 and HR 83 unamended. HCR 183 and HR 183 addressed guidance and protections related to immigration enforcement in schools. DOE said it supported the resolution but noted it already had guidance in place; the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, the Boys and Girls Public Health Institute, Roots for Warren Maui, ACLU, 50501 Hawaii, General Strike Hawaii, and others testified in support, emphasizing student safety, attendance, and the effects of enforcement-related fear. A committee member asked about a reported Konawaena Elementary incident, and DOE clarified that the student was not deported and the event occurred off campus, with some newspaper details said to be inaccurate. After discussion, the committee deferred HCR 183 for further work with DOE and the Board of Education on definitions, enforcement, and guidance.

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent the Orange County Board of Education.
• Budget-level dispute with California Education Board of Education, that's lawsuit number two.
• “I was on a Board of Education during the pandemic.
• Right after the gold rush, when the Orange County Board of Education and the other 57 boards of education
• The Orange County Board of Education, like all other county boards of education, derives most of its

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 667 to the Health Education. Thank you.
• </c> medically accurate sexuality education medically accurate sexuality education including<00:11:27.800
• </c><00:24:18.480><c> sexuality</c> uninformed sexual educ sexuality uninformed sexual educ sexuality
• </c> consistent with department of education consistent with department of education requirements<00:
• </c><00:31:24.840><c> yes</c> areas um related to sex education yes areas um related to sex education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AND WELCOME TO THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION.
• WE HAVE TARIFF GOODMAN THE VICE CHANCELLOR OF CAREER AND ADULT EDUCATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
• THEN, FINALLY, I ALSO MENTIONED THE ADULT GENERAL EDUCATION.
• SO THAT THE GOAL OF ADULT GENERAL EDUCATION IS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND WORKFORCE EDUCATION BECAUSE
• I KNOW NURSING EDUCATION WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF DISCUSSION ON NURSING EDUCATION IN THIS COMMITTEE AND ESPECIALLY

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's education and training.
• I think it's education and training.
• I think it's education and training.
• But those were not in education. And this Tier 1 even is—they have to be in education.
• But those were not in education. And this Tier 1 even is—they have to be in education.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My children deserve an education.
• I believe in public education and every kid deserves an education.
• Why are you robbing my children and their right to an education or options to educate?
• I'm sorry. ...on access to an education.
• We will continue to educate ourselves with a caring and experienced, educated community we have found

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing on several vaccination-related bills, including proposals to eliminate non-medical or religious exemptions for school immunizations (notably H. 2554 and S. 1557), a bill to require or improve reporting and administration of immunization data and exemptions (described as the Community Immunity Act, S. 1618), and H. 2431, which would prohibit COVID-19, mRNA, or gene-altering vaccine requirements. The committee also heard testimony on H. 2463, which would classify funeral directors as public health workers for vaccine-priority purposes during emergencies. The chair reviewed testimony rules and repeatedly asked speakers to keep comments orderly and brief so the committee could hear as many people as possible. No votes were taken during the hearing. Testimony on H. 2554 and S. 1557 was sharply divided. Pediatricians, infectious disease specialists, public health advocates, and groups such as the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Massachusetts Medical Society, March of Dimes, Massachusetts Families for Vaccines, and several parents supported eliminating religious exemptions, arguing that vaccination protects medically vulnerable children and adults, improves herd immunity, and helps prevent outbreaks of measles, pertussis, and other diseases. They cited local school data showing pockets of lower coverage and incomplete reporting, and several speakers referenced outbreaks in other states and the need for stronger, more consistent reporting and exemption management. Opponents argued the bills would infringe on religious freedom and parental rights, force families to choose between faith and education, and unfairly target a small number of families; some also said Massachusetts already has high vaccination rates and that the real issue is incomplete data or the gap population rather than religious exemptions. H. 2431 drew testimony from supporters who said COVID-era mandates caused job losses, privacy concerns, and harm, and that the bill would prevent future requirements for COVID, mRNA, or gene-altering vaccines in schools, workplaces, and public settings. Supporters described personal experiences with alleged vaccine injury or mandate-related hardship. H. 2463 was supported by the Massachusetts Funeral Directors Association, which argued funeral directors work in infection-facing settings and should be eligible for vaccine priority during public health emergencies. The hearing featured extensive public testimony but no committee action beyond hearing the bills and taking questions from members.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, when you talk about supporting our schools, our K-12 education, higher education, including our
• on education.
• And NEP educators do it with fun and engaging educational programming.
• And neph educators do it with fun and engaging educational programming.
• for early education, K through 12, and higher education, and we've allocated it accordingly.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development held a hearing on the DRIVE Act, a proposal to invest $400 million in Massachusetts research and innovation without new taxes. Governor Healey and administration officials said the bill would direct $200 million to public higher education research and regional partnerships and $200 million to a research funding pool for hospitals, universities, and other institutions, with the goal of retaining talent, leveraging private and philanthropic dollars, and offsetting major federal R&D cuts. They argued that research is a core economic engine for the state, supporting jobs across labs, construction, services, and surrounding businesses, and said the bill would help protect the Commonwealth’s tax base and competitiveness during a period of federal uncertainty and cuts to SNAP, Medicaid, and other programs. Committee members raised concerns about whether Fair Share surtax dollars should instead be used for K-12 and other community needs, whether the proposal is enough given the scale of lost federal grants, and how the money would be allocated. The governor responded that the funds are one-time surplus dollars, that most surtax revenue already supports education, and that the bill is meant as a bridge to stabilize public higher education and research. She also said the legislation includes a review board and could support a revolving or matched-fund approach in some cases. Several members pressed for more detail on selection criteria, future funding, and whether private companies and large endowments should contribute more. University of Massachusetts leaders and researchers testified that federal grant cancellations and delays are already causing layoffs, furloughs, rescinded admissions, and lost research capacity. UMass officials said the bill would help preserve faculty, postdocs, graduate students, and research programs in medicine, climate science, marine science, Braille instruction, and AI decision-making. They emphasized that the funding should be merit-based and that the state needs to act quickly to prevent talent from leaving Massachusetts. Business, labor, and industry groups, including MassBio, the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, AIM, the AFL-CIO, and Building Trades, supported the bill, saying it would protect jobs, sustain the innovation ecosystem, and reinforce Massachusetts’ national leadership in research and life sciences. No vote was taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• In education, I've been there for this is my 32nd year, and most, and I'm talking about educators, and
• This is my 37th year as an educator in the state of Iowa. I am a very, very proud educator.
• are leaving education.
• I want to thank especially the educators.
• And put as much money as we can towards our educators, but this bill is not about going after our educators

Transcript Highlights:

• special education in New Hampshire.
• </c> is over there at Department of Education is over there at Department of Education works<00:08:23.759
• </c><00:08:29.840><c> in</c> where we are with special education in where we are with special education
• </c> Henry, when you came to the education Henry, when you came to the education funding<00:13:32.240
• </c> special education aid. special education aid. &gt;&gt; Thank<01:13:24.640><c> you.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The commission to study special education costs under SB 57 met for its second meeting, with members introducing themselves and reviewing background materials on New Hampshire special education identification rates, NAEP results, and a Wall Street Journal article about the rise in autism diagnoses. The chair explained that the commission is examining special education aid formulas, including how New Hampshire’s current catastrophic aid threshold works and how changes to that threshold might affect school districts, but noted that the needed data on how many students would shift into the aid system at lower thresholds is not yet available. The main testimony came from Henry Litman of HHS on Medicaid reimbursement in schools. He explained that school-based Medicaid funding is tied to health-related services, not all special education services, and that federal rules are changing in state fiscal year 2027. Under the new approach, schools will move away from an in-kind methodology to a certified public expenditure model that may also allow recovery of some overhead costs, such as support staff time. He said the state won a federal grant to help build the new system, hired a vendor, and is setting up training and a help center for districts. Members asked about why Medicaid claims have declined and whether districts are leaving money on the table. Litman said claims are down about 25% from pre-pandemic levels, with declines tied to federal and state rule changes, documentation requirements, provider qualification rules, and the end of temporary pandemic flexibilities. He said some districts adapted better than others depending on local medical-provider access and administrative capacity. He also said the new federal legislation does not directly affect schools, while New Hampshire’s return to pre-pandemic eligibility rules has reduced enrollment somewhat. No votes were taken, and the discussion ended with agreement that the commission needs better data to determine how much special education spending is truly Medicaid-eligible and whether additional legislation is needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> So during testimony to the education So during testimony to the education finance<00:31:41.279><
• education finance.
• I regularly education and policy.
• An effective depends on education.
• Health education vary by zip code.

Bills: HF751, HF3550, HF3764, HF1490

Keywords: parental notification, school safety, bullying, harassment, violence, prohibited conduct, student discipline, charter school, school district, data practices, student privacy, parent rights, guardian notification, school incident reporting, cyberbullying, restraint, reasonable force, anti-bullying policy, school administration, student conduct

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning and welcome to the Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee.
• , formally educating your children.
• My parents care about my education and help me every day.
• Equity in education is not just about... ...equity in education is not just about access, it's about
• I represent the Rural Education Center.”

Bills: SB6222, SB6263, SB6118, SB6261, SB6320

Keywords: public education, technology access, surplus hardware, digital divide, student resources, school district, public bidding, bid limits, procurement, public works, construction contracts, competitive bidding, lowest responsible bidder, small works roster, quotations, school purchasing, Washington-grown food, local food, inmate work programs, Department of Corrections

Transcript Highlights:

• And in C-Polms in K-12 education, on our Department of Education website, there is curriculum provided
• And in C-Polms in K-12 education, in our Department of Education website, there is curriculum provided
• Is it once during their education, or is it multiple times?
• I know that you need the medical education part for the kids learning sex education.
• Educators are professionals. They're not propagandists.

Summary: The subcommittee first heard HB 461, which would allow registered or preregistered students to volunteer at polling locations to earn community service hours, including on weekends. The sponsor and several supporters, including the Duval County Supervisor of Elections and League of Women Voters representatives, said the bill would promote civic education and give students firsthand experience with elections. After brief questions and overwhelmingly supportive testimony, the committee voted unanimously to report HB 461 favorably. The committee then took up HB 1071, an omnibus education bill described by the sponsor as reinforcing parental rights, student safety, early learning accountability, and oversight of scholarship and instructional programs. Members adopted eight amendments, including provisions on charter school discipline during improvement plans, child care and attendance accountability, medically accurate embryologic/fetal development materials, school space calculations, reading notifications, law enforcement access to campuses and canine units, lab school admissions criteria, and the composition of the FHSAA advisory council. Debate and testimony focused heavily on the bill’s provisions restricting DEI- and activism-related spending, the fetal development video requirement, and the law enforcement amendment; supporters framed the bill as promoting merit, safety, and parental rights, while opponents warned about vague definitions, censorship, and potential impacts on students and school programs. Public testimony on HB 1071 was extensive and sharply divided. Supporters included organizations such as Florida Voice for the Unborn, the Christian Family Coalition, and various individuals who backed the fetal development instruction and limits on DEI-related spending. Opponents included Planned Parenthood Florida Action, the Southern Poverty Law Center, Equality Florida, the ACLU of Florida, the Florida Education Association, teachers, parents, and students, who argued the bill was too broad, could chill instruction and student activities, and could introduce ideological content into health education. The transcript ends during closing debate on the amended bill, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• education you have, and again, it's just further education for our workforce.
• Education helps with, say, you know, when you're actually on the job.
• education you have, and again, it's just further education for our workforce.
• , how is that impact our bottom line in the higher education budget?
• </c><00:25:26.720><c> enough</c> really don't have the education enough really don't have the education

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to Senate Education.
• best in education.
• best in education.
• education growth.
• That is not a college of education issue.

Bills: SB29, SB64

Keywords: SB29, math requirements for teaching license, teacher licensure, teacher endorsement, mathematics methods, elementary education, secondary education, special education, early childhood education, reciprocity, Public Education Department, Mathematics and Science Education Act, mathematics instructional leadership framework, professional learning plan, K-3 screening, mathematics screening assessment, mathematics difficulty, support plan, multilevel support, intervention

Transcript Highlights:

• The Education Freedom Account Program established in 2021 had a clear promise to provide educational
• </c><00:10:11.920><c> to</c> state for their child's education to state for their child's education to
• The Education the EFA program today.
• </c> program was achieving its educational program was achieving its educational goals.<00:12:16.639>
• ,</c><01:02:19.839><c> senate</c> of the house education, senate of the house education, senate education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:22.080><c> policy</c> in the Minnesota education policy in the Minnesota education policy
• , technical education, or go into the workforce and then later return for a career-enhancing education
• , technical education, or go into the workforce and then later return for a career-enhancing education
• </c> choose to go to higher education choose to go to higher education technical<00:10:00.880><c> education
• education in Minnesota.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm calling this hearing of the Assembly Education Committee to order.
• Everyone, I'm calling this hearing of the Assembly Education Committee to order.
• California law already gives parents a limited opt-out from sex education.
• California law already gives parents a limited opt-out from sex education.
• Career education provides specialized training for jobs.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard several Senate bills focused on student health, access, equity, and career preparation. SB 608 by Sen. Menjivar would expand access to condoms and related sexual health resources for students in grades 7–12 and direct the Department of Education to align with the California Healthy Youth Act. Supporters argued the bill would help address high STI rates among youth and remove barriers to access, while opponents raised concerns about parental authority, local control, and encouraging early sexual activity. The bill was approved on a 6-1 vote and sent to the Health Committee. SB 965 by Sen. Blakespear would prohibit libraries from requiring a parent to be physically present for a 16- or 17-year-old to obtain a library card, while still allowing libraries to require parental consent or signature. Supporters said the current rule creates unnecessary barriers for teens and school research projects, and the California Library Association said it was now neutral after amendments. The committee passed the bill 6-0 to Appropriations. SB 998 by Sen. Gonzalez would define and expand the duties of discrimination prevention coordinators in the state’s Office of Civil Rights, including adding a disability coordinator and deputy coordinators focused on anti-Black, anti-Asian, anti-Latino, and anti-Native American discrimination. Testimony emphasized the need to address rising hate incidents and discrimination in schools, especially for Black, LGBTQ+, AAPI, and other marginalized students. The bill was approved and sent to Judiciary with amendments to be processed there. SB 845 by Sen. Perez, which expands work-based learning and youth apprenticeship opportunities, also received broad support from education, workforce, and industry groups and passed unanimously to Labor and Employment. The committee also approved a consent calendar of additional bills and adjourned after all items were acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• Black Education Act on 115, and the Bilingual Multicultural Education Act on 113.
• Education Act, the Black Education Act on 115, and the Bilingual Multicultural Education Act on 113.
• There are 29 PED public education specials.
• Just to quickly reiterate the challenge with virtual education right now, Gallup had... a virtual education
• If you include higher ed, 50% of the budget is education.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Are any of you concerned about federal cuts to education, Department of Education?
• Are any of you concerned about federal cuts to education, Department of Education?
• Are any of you concerned about federal cuts to education, Department of Education?
• Are any of you concerned about federal cuts to education, Department of Education?
• Anything else in education? Um, real Anything else in education?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's some type of criminal offense in addition to education and everything else.
• Educational materials and trainings that are tailored to their profession.
• Continuing education credits should be made available.
• Continuing education credits for attendance should be made available.
• Continuing education credits for attendance should be made available.

Summary: The Special Commission on xylazine convened a public meeting to review and discuss the first draft of its final report, approve prior minutes, and gather feedback for revisions. The commission first approved the December 11 minutes by roll call vote, then reviewed the report structure, which will include a commission overview, working group findings and recommendations, and appendices with public meeting materials and public resources. Staff explained the report’s framing of xylazine as both a licensed veterinary drug and an illicit drug supply contaminant, and members discussed the distinction between legal animal use and illicit importation/adulteration, with several commissioners emphasizing that people who use drugs do not intentionally seek xylazine. The commission then walked through draft findings and recommendations for best practices in oversight and enforcement, outreach and treatment, and education and training. Members discussed whether xylazine should be further scheduled or instead addressed through other public health and enforcement measures, with the draft leaning toward maintaining the current Schedule 6 status while strengthening public health responses, surveillance, drug checking, and targeted enforcement against illicit production and distribution. Commissioners also proposed stronger coordination among public safety, law enforcement, and public health, including real-time alerts, centralized data sharing, and possibly a DPH task force on emerging drug supply threats. The outreach and treatment section focused on existing harm reduction, wound care, naloxone, and mobile/low-threshold services, while noting gaps such as lack of an FDA-approved human reversal agent, geographic access barriers, insurance issues, and limited provider familiarity. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on education and training for first responders, clinicians, non-clinicians, and people who use drugs and their families. Commissioners supported tailored, stigma-free materials that cover xylazine basics, signs and symptoms, wound care, withdrawal, harm reduction, and when to seek medical care, with repeated emphasis on including firefighters, EMS, law enforcement, and other first responders in definitions and training. Members also stressed the need for consistent, centralized, and up-to-date public health data, better communication of emerging contaminants beyond xylazine, and practical guidance to prevent people with xylazine-related wounds from being turned away from care or recovery settings. The meeting ended with agreement to incorporate the feedback into a revised draft to be circulated by March 2, with another meeting scheduled for March 9 and a backup meeting later in March if needed; the commission then adjourned by unanimous motion.