Transcript Highlights:

• it it age 12 it it changed age level it it age 12 it it changed age level it it age 12 it it changed
• sixth grade sixth grade level I don't know yeah well sixth grade level I don't know yeah well sixth
• grade level I don't know yeah well sixth grade when you're sixth grade that's what like when you're sixth
• grade that's what like when you're sixth grade that's what like age 11 or 12 yes age 11 or 12 yes age
• of Integrity that I have as in the level of Integrity that I have as in the level of Integrity that

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Level.
• And yes, I would like to have consistent leadership at all levels.
• It was an effort to improve school boards at the local level.
• Specifically for us in secondary level.
• I feel like I'm going to be graded at the end. How many...

Transcript Highlights:

• whether fluently adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators was a fourth- or fifth-grade
• potentially years later that the tutoring their kids got while they weren't in the room was aligned to grade-level
• whether fluently adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators was a fourth- or fifth-grade
• potentially years later that the tutoring their kids got while they weren't in the room was aligned to grade-level
• potentially years later that the tutoring their kids got while they weren't in the room was aligned to grade-level

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, but I do think that the level of problems we saw at DNR in this audit are not, um, at the same level
• Can you give us a grade? You ever do grades like a...?
• You ever do Can you give us a grade?
• You ever do grades<00:35:11.000> like<00:35:11.240> a grades like a grades like a >&
• ,<00:35:34.000> but I'll dance around the grade, but I'll dance around the grade, but [laughter

Bills: HF3564

Keywords: Greater Minnesota, regional parks, trails, grants, local government, 1183, house

Summary: The Legacy Finance Committee met to approve the prior meeting minutes and then heard a presentation from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on its performance audit of the Department of Natural Resources’ administration of Outdoor Heritage Fund grants. OLA explained that the DNR generally complied with the criteria tested, but the audit identified two main problem areas: grant payments and grant monitoring. The audit covered 13 grants, mostly legislatively named grants awarded in fiscal year 2020, and reviewed agreements, amendments, payments, monitoring, and some site visits. OLA reported that for three grantees, totaling about $400,000, invoices lacked enough detail to determine whether costs were allowable, and about $5,000 was paid to two grantees without sufficient supporting documentation. The auditors also said DNR lacked policies defining allowable costs and what “directly related to and necessary” means under state law. On monitoring, DNR missed required annual visits for six grants, made payments on current progress reports that were missing or not on file, and had weaknesses in closeout evaluations, including missing required elements, late completion, and two grants with no closeout evaluation at all. OLA recommended stronger documentation, clearer guidelines with the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, timely monitoring and closeout, obtaining progress reports before payment, and improved internal controls. Members reacted strongly to the findings, especially the repeated failures to follow grant procedures and the risks of legislatively named grants and advance payments. Representative Heintzeman and Vice Chair Skraba questioned whether the issues reflected broader problems in state grant oversight and asked about prepayments, follow-up, and whether more legislative action was needed. OLA officials said they do not rely on self-attestation, but instead retest agencies after 2 to 3 years, and noted a new annual update-report process that will track whether agencies implement prior recommendations. Judy Randall, the Legislative Auditor, said the laws and policies already exist and emphasized that the issue is ensuring agency staff follow them; she also said most recommendations in the recent update report had been implemented. No further committee action or vote was taken on the audit during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're talking about the presidents of those institutions being held accountable at a county level, at
• So what we have now is kind of another level playing field for... ...Field for appropriate penalties
• We give schools grades, we change how they're funded based on grades, and we take over schools if… based
• on grades.

Bills: HB287, HB280, HB57, HB252, HB286, SB36, HB287, HB280, HB57, HB252, HB286, SB36

Keywords: law enforcement, transparency, reporting, public safety, regulation, accountability, public nuisance, event liability, local government, community health, legal action, education, property acquisition, municipality, land use, annexation, competitive bidding, procurement, disclosure statements, state contracts

Transcript Highlights:

• It has a high level of suicide rates that go well above other professions, as well as a lot of mental
• of of most highest um um stress levels of of most jobs<00:10:31.360> it<00:10:31.560> has<
• /c><00:10:32.079> a<00:10:32.240> high<00:10:32.480> level<00:10:32.760> of
• The board determined that we can fund within that carry-forward level only.
• Minnesota, as you know, has the triple A, which is our strongest investment grade.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:16:17.279> of<00:16:17.839> Aid that um level of Aid that um level of Aid um<00
• So then are those 50% who are, um, considered, you know, below the level for free and reduced lunch?
• children but also will not have to level children but also will not have to remove<00:37:18.160>
• that we have on for the partisan level that we have on these<00:37:34.520> discussions<00:37:
• kindergarten or first grade kindergarten or first grade so<01:03:55.319> that's<01:03:55.400

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• $70,000 level and oftentimes higher. $70,000 level and oftentimes higher.
• , 200% of the federal poverty line level, 200% of the federal poverty line level, we<03:38:32.399
• And being fed leads to better grades.
• We need a a higher level change here.
• level and it has been so successful. level and it has been so successful.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 292, which would authorize a governor’s warrant to cover special education aid shortfalls from the education trust fund, and from the general fund if needed, so local school districts would not have to absorb prorated costs or raise local property taxes. Senator Lang said the bill was prompted by a prior $15 million special education funding shortfall caused by higher-than-expected catastrophic aid claims, including more qualifying students and the recent increase in the special education age limit to 22. He emphasized that the bill is intended to ensure the state meets its funding commitment and avoid shifting costs to towns. Members asked about how the bill interacts with House Bill 742 and House Bill 773, including whether the language should be merged or whether the state should fund 100% versus an 80% floor. Lang said he was open to improving the bill and to adding a study committee or performance audit on special education costs, but maintained that the state should not push costs to local taxpayers when it has available funds. The hearing on SB 292 was then closed, with no vote taken. The committee then opened Senate Bill 98, which would extend for five more years a tax credit program for donations to regional career and technical education centers. Senator Waters said the program has been successful in building partnerships between CTE centers and employers, especially through equipment donations that support training and apprenticeships. He cited examples including automotive, marine trades, and advanced manufacturing programs, and said the five-year extension would let lawmakers continue to review whether the incentive is working as intended. Several members questioned whether the credit is effectively a 100% subsidy and how the cap works. Waters and another member explained that the underlying program has an aggregate cap of $500,000 and that credits are prorated if requests exceed that amount; they also said the donations are primarily equipment, not cash. Some members raised concerns about whether businesses could also claim other tax deductions or credits, but the sponsor said the existing structure has been in place for years and has been revisited periodically. No vote was taken during the hearing excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill only applies to low-level offenders. Low-level offenders only.
• , at the local level and national level, support the military-industrial complex.
• And guess what happened to eighth grade math and third grade reading scores?
• of funding, where we rank last, our third-grade reading levels last, see what the legislature does day
• of funding, where we rank last, our third-grade reading levels last, see what the legislature does day

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, this bill focuses on micro nuclear and gas production at the distributed energy level, less than
• So, this bill focuses on micro nuclear and gas production at the distributed energy level, less than
• At a much higher level, I get a question all the time: Why aren't we seeing more merchant investment
• Biomass markets, as you know, are a critical outlet for low-grade timber and sustainable forestry.
• So that low-grade wood, if you didn't use it, would probably go into the landfills, correct?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:42.000> for<00:09:42.279> highly it's at the crisis level for highly it's at
• the crisis level for highly qualified<00:09:43.360> special<00:09:43.720> education<00
• The kids started ninth grade with me, and then you read their names at commencement, and it was just
• <00:32:26.960> comes students in the room 10th grade comes students in the room 10th grade
• So it seems like we've got administrative costs at three different levels on this bill.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In eighth grade, I stood on the House floor for the first time during Youth in Government.
• In eighth grade, I stood on the House floor for the first time during Youth in Government.
• In eighth grade, I stood on the House floor for the first time during Youth in Government.
• You know, I myself went to Badger Girls State and was in Key Club and school, you know, grade president
• You know, I myself went to Badger Girls State and was in Key Club and school, you know, grade president

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So what grade did your district get in the grading system? A D. I'm sorry? A D.
• And what grade did your school receive? We had a D grade, a D letter grade.
• And what level of incompetency does it take before it becomes a criminal matter, as far as referring

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The committee met to review education audit reports, beginning with approval of the minutes and then hearing several school districts with findings. Camden Fairview School District addressed two findings: use of operating funds for an end-of-year employee banquet and unauthorized credit card charges that resulted in a small loss. District officials said they had changed credit cards, increased monthly review and reconciliation, stopped using operating funds for off-campus celebrations, and would limit future meals and events to district business. Members questioned whether the prior administration was still involved, whether the charges were from an outside hacker, and how the district would continue teacher appreciation without violating state law. Forest City School District then discussed a $33,000 off-campus staff celebration funded through what the district described as long-standing Pepsi-related funds. The district said it believed the money was discretionary private donation revenue, but audit staff said the funds were treated as operating funds because they were in a general fund account and subject to constitutional limits. The district said it would stop using the fund that way, provide staff and board training, and ensure future expenditures comply with the law. Members also asked about the lack of a formal board vote, the amount remaining in the account, and whether the event was meant to recognize staff growth and service. The committee next reviewed additional findings: Conway School District’s former maintenance employees allegedly misused district funds and resources, with a separate investigative report still pending; Magnolia School District had undeposited activity funds totaling more than $21,000; Westside School District had about $9,500 in credit card charges that could not be substantiated, along with weak internal controls and some personal charges; and Boonville School District paid a board member’s son more than $5,000 for groundskeeping without the required exemption, which DESE later denied. The committee filed the reports as reviewed, including eight other findings not referred for prosecution and 89 audits with no findings, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• case actually arose out of a case where I was representing a student, and the student was in the 12th grade
• I think that's kind of exactly what we're looking at here, doing it at the legislative level to give
• By 5th grade, children are expected to understand the difference between cisgender, transgender, and
• Just real quick, I've got a kid in second grade. None of that's happened. None of it.
• In TEKS, sex education starts in fourth grade; it starts in second grade in the NSES standards.

Bills: SB204, SB570, SB735, SB784, SB1207, SB1396, SB1447, SB2392, SB2540, SB747, SB875

Keywords: parental rights, education, school trustees, training, handbook, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district, open-enrollment charter school, student support services, school counselor, principal, administrator

Transcript Highlights:

• because a theory of knowledge subject examination, comprised of a presentation and written essay, is graded
• ; and vision for first-, third-, and sixth-grade.
• At the time of his death he carried higher than a 4.0 grade point average and had recently taken a tour
• Let's take up tab 9, SB 1618, on pre-kindergarten through grade 12 education by Senator Calatayud.
• It also repeals the Council for Early Grade Success after having served its purpose.

Summary: The Pre-K-12 Education Committee took up a series of education, school safety, health, and student access bills. SB 754 on International Baccalaureate bonus funds was amended to clarify the theory of knowledge course and then reported favorably. SB 370 would allow routine non-invasive school health screenings, such as vision, hearing, and dental checks, to proceed with written notice and an opt-out process rather than active parental consent; supporters said it would improve participation and access, while opponents argued it was too broad and weakened parental rights. After debate over scope, funding, and consent, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also advanced SB 1070, which would require ECG screenings for student athletes under a phased rollout beginning in 2026, with religious and medical opt-outs. The bill was renamed the Second Chance Act in honor of Chance Gainer. Supporters described it as a life-saving measure to detect hidden cardiac conditions, while some members raised cost and implementation concerns. SB 508, the Family Empowerment Scholarship bill, would require private schools to disclose in writing what accommodations and services they will provide to students with IEPs, 504 plans, or ELL plans before enrollment; it was supported by parents, advocacy groups, and some school representatives and was reported favorably. School safety measures were also considered. SB 1470 would refine campus locking and supervision rules, create clearer exceptions, expand training and security options for school safety personnel, and allow district-employed law enforcement officers to use canines for threat detection. Witnesses from school safety and Parkland-related advocacy groups supported the bill but urged caution on exemptions and implementation details. SB 1472 would extend a public records exemption to certified school security guards, matching the protection already given to school guardians, and it was reported favorably. Finally, SB 248 would expand participation in FHSAA sports for private school and home education students at public schools when their own schools do not offer the sport, and SB 1618 made broad changes to VPK through grade 12 policy, including reading instruction, financial literacy, school funds restrictions, teacher certification, and advisory council rules; both bills were reported favorably. Several members later recorded votes in support of specific tabs before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• maintaining a clear instructional window before the administration of reading screeners for K-2nd grade
• want to ensure that students have the opportunity for high-quality, affordable education at every grade
• level up through college.
• While I support the higher funding level, I don't believe that we need to borrow the entire amount to
• While I support the higher funding level, I don't believe that we need to borrow the entire amount to

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Education held its close-out hearing for the 2026 budget process, with the chair saying the Senate plan fully funds Proposition 98 and continues investments in universal school meals, career education, immigrant and LGBTQ+ student supports, UC/CSU compacts, and community college stability. Public commenters largely supported those priorities, including funding for CalNEW, Dream resource centers, teacher workforce programs, community schools, special education, paid pregnancy leave, and higher education aid, while some urged rejection of proposals they viewed as underfunding Prop 98 or adding non-LEA preschool costs into the guarantee. Others raised concerns about the middle class scholarship cut, CalFresh support for college students, and the need for clearer instructional windows and English learner supports. During member comments, Senator Chao Bogh said many items were supportable but criticized placeholder language, lack of final details, accountability concerns, and some borrowing or mandate structures, including the middle class scholarship, adult learner program, Calbright common cloud platform, paid pregnancy leave, and apprenticeship backfill. The chair responded that the budget reflects major investments in K-12 and higher education, including full Prop 98 funding, elimination of the settle-up amount, middle class scholarship funding, and Dreamers resource centers, and emphasized the importance of supporting students regardless of documentation status. The committee then moved to the vote-only calendar and adopted multiple staff recommendation packages. Part A issues 2-15, 24, 26-42, 44-71, 74-90, and 92-117 were approved unanimously; Part A issue 1 passed with Senator Chao Bogh voting no; and Part A sections 16-23, 25, 43, 72, 73, and 91 were noted as agreed to. In Part B, issues 1-10, 12-24, 25A, 26-27, 29-30, 32-34, 36-44, 48-49, 51-67, and 69 were approved, as were issues 11, 40, and 68, and issues 25B, 28, 31, 35, 45-47, and 50. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:34.200> Windows type of film on on ground level Windows type of film on on ground level
• So you would either in 9th or 10th grade, we would basically do the SAT in 11th grade.
• <02:31:12.800> if education cost at the student level if education cost at the student level
• <04:36:58.760> and appro propose enrollments by grade and appro propose enrollments by grade
• When you look at the grades from kindergarten through 12, isn't there a decline from one grade to another

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Division II committee heard a Department of Education budget presentation from Commissioner Frank Edelblut and CFO Tammy Valen-cour. The department outlined its organizational structure and emphasized that it functions largely as a flow-through agency for school funding. The commissioner reviewed general fund and Education Trust Fund items, including state aid, dropout prevention, special education, building aid, lease aid, charter schools, Education Freedom Accounts, and the district adequacy calculation. He also highlighted the public school infrastructure fund, saying the state has invested well over $50 million in school safety since 2018 for measures such as access controls, locks, and window film, and argued that safety spending should be ongoing rather than reactive. Members asked about the variability in the school infrastructure line, special education aid, and the Discovery Education learning platform. Edelblut explained that some safety funding had come from one-time surplus appropriations rather than the agency line, and said special education aid was underappropriated because districts submitted more invoices than expected; he said the governor added $16 million to address the shortfall. He also described CTE renovation funding, noting four projects were initially proposed but only Jaffrey and Milford were still moving forward, with local votes required and the state covering 75% of costs. He said Milford’s project was omitted from the governor’s budget by oversight. The department also reviewed enrollment trends, noting public school enrollment has fallen from about 230,000 students in 2002 to about 185,000 today. Edelblut clarified that charter students are not eligible for Education Freedom Accounts, while EFA students attending non-public schools are counted as EFA students. He described several one-time surplus-funded initiatives, including Student Clearinghouse, MTSSB work, civics curriculum development, computer science education, and adult education. He also discussed a $4 million CTE tuition and transportation grant, saying it was kept as a competitive grant rather than a formula grant to avoid creating an ongoing maintenance-of-effort commitment that could jeopardize federal Perkins funding. In the final portion, Edelblut identified prioritized needs in the department’s budget, especially funding for a state administrator for assessment to support the legislatively required civics assessment, and additional support for the Discovery Education platform. He said every school in the state is using the platform and cited more than 1.5 million educator engagements, while a member raised concerns about mixed reviews and uneven district awareness of the program. No votes or formal actions were taken during the presentation and question period.

Transcript Highlights:

• With the introduction of the level of competition that we do have now across multiple types of services
• When you say you are required to offer a voice-grade call where customers are able to receive it and
• When you say you are required to offer a voice-grade call where customers are able to receive it and
• And all would constitute a leveling up from copper. Thank you.
• So the big question is, how does California level up?

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) to examine its history, current operation, and possible future changes in California. Chair Tasha Berner said the hearing was prompted in part by AT&T’s 2023 request for relief from COLR obligations and by broader concerns about public safety, affordability, universal service, and access to modern broadband and telecommunications. The first panel featured a telecommunications expert who traced COLR back to universal service principles and explained how states have handled COLR differently, including full deregulation, limited rural obligations, or transition pathways tied to competition and customer protections. Members asked about affordability, federal and state processes for service withdrawal, and whether COLR remains necessary given modern competition. CPUC staff then described California’s COLR framework, explaining that universal service rests on access, reliability/quality, and affordability, and that COLR requires carriers to provide basic service, including voice-grade calling, 911 access, relay services, and Lifeline. Staff said AT&T’s application sought relief in nearly all of its territory, but no replacement COLR came forward during the proceeding, and public participation hearings drew thousands of comments and strong concern from rural and vulnerable customers. The CPUC outlined its ongoing rulemaking to reconsider whether the 1996 COLR rules and 2012 basic-service definition still fit current conditions, with workshops and public hearings scheduled and a proposed decision expected later in the year or into 2026. Members pressed staff on geographic outreach, wireless coverage, whether broadband can be part of basic service, public safety during wildfires, and what reporting and complaint processes currently exist. In the final panel, industry and public-interest witnesses sharply disagreed. A U.S. Telecom representative argued COLR is outdated, costly, and copper-focused, and said reform should allow technology-neutral alternatives such as wireless, fiber, and satellite while preserving reliable voice and emergency access. The CPUC Public Advocates Office countered that COLR remains a necessary public safeguard, especially for rural and low-income customers, and argued that any transition should maintain or improve service, with public benefits such as broadband investment and continued protections for 911, disability access, and affordability. Committee members focused on the difference between an obligation to serve everyone and a mere option to serve, and on whether the Legislature should provide clearer guidance as the CPUC’s rulemaking moves forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• FROM THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL TO MEET THE STATE'S MEDIAN LEVEL. THAT IS THE BILL.
• Tiana is in fifth grade and Miley is in seventh grade, and they are enjoying watching the process.
• To me, when I was in eighth grade, it was in the bargain bin at the book fair.
• Florida already has a reading crisis when it comes to... ...the statistics of where our kids are with grade-level
• level and are okay for your students and children to read.

Bills: HB 29, HB 125, HB 145, HB 171, HB 255, HB 50, HB 796, HB 363, HB 116, HB 491, HB 589, HB 1495, HB 368, HB 1285, HB 1905, HB 1360, HB 2002, HB 917, HB 2723, HB 2067, HB 1238, HB 2337, HB 745, HB 1188, HB 1606, HB 2003, HB 2147, HB 2391, HB 2355, HB 2546, HB 2495, HB 2818, HB 2249, HB 1749, HB 3109, HB 3228, HB 3240, HB 1507, HB 658, HB 1748, HB 1851, HB 1922, HB 2001, HB 2798, HB 107, HCR 29, SB 5, SB 262, HB 11, HJR 72, HB 106, HB 18, HB 48, HB 27, HB 37, HB 1481, HB 581, HB 1696, HB 2216, HB 1035, HB 1633, HB 742, HB 754, HB 1689, HB 1690, HB 2669, HB 391, HB 517, HB 1024, HB 1607, HB 252, HB 1716, HB 1562, HB 4116, HB 1866, HB 1741, HB 2103, HB 2637, HB 2884, HB 503, HB 1089, HB 2986, HB 972, HB 502, HB 29, HB 125, HB 145, HB 171, HB 255, HB 50, HB 796, HB 363, HB 116, HB 491, HB 589, HB 1495, HB 368, HB 1285, HB 1905, HB 1360, HB 2002, HB 917, HB 2723, HB 2067, HB 1238, HB 2337, HB 745, HB 1188, HB 1606, HB 2003, HB 2147, HB 2391, HB 2355, HB 2546, HB 2495, HB 2818, HB 2249, HB 1749, HB 3109, HB 3228, HB 3240, HB 1507, HB 658, HB 1748, HB 1851, HB 1922, HB 2001, HB 2798, HB 107, HCR 29

Keywords: water audit, water loss, water loss mitigation plan, municipally owned utility, municipal utility, water conservation, Texas Water Development Board, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water leakage, leak detection, billing data accuracy, utility validation, water audit validation, water scarcity, water management, infrastructure, public utility, conservation plan, administrative penalty

Summary: The Florida House of Representatives conducted legislative business including prayer, pledge, and voting on multiple bills. Key legislation included HB 1105 expanding Florida Bright Futures Scholarship eligibility, HB 443 on charter school regulations (passed 83-23), and HB 1539 on materials harmful to minors (passed 81-29) after extensive debate about book challenges in schools. Other bills addressed education funding, law enforcement benefits, parole guidelines, and various local issues. The Speaker announced budget negotiations with the Senate have stalled, with disagreements over spending levels and tax cuts. The House will not meet this weekend as originally planned. Session adjourned until tomorrow at 10 AM.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is levels on every particular topic.
• board of ed isn't involved in that level board of ed isn't involved in that level of<00:39:14.800
• Your science grades aren't meeting national standards.
• grades aren't meeting national grades aren't meeting national standards.<00:48:56.400> Get
• <00:50:56.880> when in kindergarten through 12th grade when in kindergarten through 12th grade

Keywords: 1189, house, all