Transcript Highlights:

• We're also providing $25 million to assist districts that have a decline in student enrollment during
• Finally, and this goes back to the supplements and the declining enrollment, in the back of the bill,
• Finally, and this goes back to the supplements and the declining enrollment, in the back of the bill,
• So we do view this bill as a child safety protection.
• So we do view this bill as a child safety protection.

Bills: S2500 , S2502 , S2504 , S7028 , S2506 , S2508 , S2510 , S2512 , S2514 , S2516 , S2518 , S0482 , S0678 , S0984 , S1016 , S1074 , S1706 , S7030

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The committee heard presentations on the Senate’s proposed 2026-2027 budget, SPB 2500, with chairs outlining major spending in K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and agriculture/environment/general government. Highlights included a $115 billion overall budget, pay raises for state employees and public safety workers, major K-12 funding increases and enrollment supplements, higher education workforce and nursing investments, expanded Medicaid/KidCare and behavioral health funding, corrections and law enforcement operational funding, transportation and housing investments, and significant environmental and water quality spending. Members asked about civic education funding, declining enrollment, professor retention, APD waiver waitlists, cultural grant allocations, and other line items. Public testimony also addressed HIV/AIDS drug assistance funding and prison air conditioning. SPB 2500 was adopted as a committee bill after amendment consideration and a roll call vote. The committee then took up implementing and related budget bills, including SPB 2502 (implementing the General Appropriations Act), SPB 2504 (state employee bargaining placeholder), SB 7028 (Florida Retirement System contribution rates and related retirement changes), SPB 2506 (fuel tax distributions), SPB 2508 (state agency law enforcement radio system surcharge), SPB 2510 (termination of an unused court trust fund), SPB 2512 (new judgeships), SPB 2514 (K-12 conforming changes), SPB 2516 (higher education conforming changes), and SPB 2518 (health conforming changes). Most were explained as technical or conforming measures tied to the budget, and all were reported favorably as committee bills, with SB 7028 amended to direct a portion of increased contributions to disability and line-of-duty death benefits in the FRS investment plan. The committee also heard and passed several member bills, including CS for SB 1074 on rounding rules for cash transactions in a world without pennies, CS for SB 678 restoring the alcohol loss deduction framework for distributors, and SB 964 on firefighter cancer benefits and prevention. SB 964 drew the most discussion, with questions about the one-year death-benefit window, the separate $25,000 cancer diagnosis payment, and whether the bill could create gaps in coverage for firefighters diagnosed or dying just outside the new time limits. Firefighter representatives testified in support, saying the bill would provide clearer protections for members and families. All of these measures were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Damage to the classrooms, but also damage to the child.
• putting a lock on A child that can help them de-escalate.
• not free to leave best serves the child.
• That's what you're putting a child in.
• Representative Rude: What do we do when a child flips their lid?

Summary: The House Education Committee met in executive session on several bills, beginning with House Bill 1795 on restraint and isolation in schools. Staff described the proposed substitute as prohibiting mechanical, chemical, and certain physical restraints, limiting planned use of restraint to cases with written medical necessity and parental consent, and revising the definition of serious harm. Members debated amendments clarifying that serious harm can include harm to another person, barring construction of rooms designed primarily for student isolation, and adding a null-and-void clause. The committee adopted the first two amendments but rejected the null-and-void amendment, then advanced the bill as amended. The final roll call on HB 1795 was 10 ayes, 7 nays, and 2 excused, and it was reported do pass as amended. The committee then considered Second Substitute House Bill 1634, which would create a statewide technical assistance and training framework for student behavioral health, coordinated by OSPI and ESDs with behavioral health agencies and community partners. A second proposed substitute removed some implementation requirements, narrowed the bill to coordination and access to services, added family-focused consultation and planning language, and removed certain reporting and needs-assessment provisions. A null-and-void amendment was offered but failed. Supporters said the bill would provide schools with flexible technical assistance rather than mandates, while opponents raised concerns about fiscal impact and unfunded obligations. The committee approved the bill on a 12-5 vote with 2 excused and reported it do pass. The committee also received staff briefings on House Bill 1662, which would require several education-related agencies and entities to transition to separate administrative services and operational independence on a delayed timeline, and House Bill 1683, which would adjust school board director-district election requirements and thresholds. No amendments were noted on HB 1683, and the committee did not reach final action on either of those bills before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• New Village chose to enroll. 500% return on investment.
• In Massachusetts, we agree that every child has a right to public education.
• In Massachusetts, we agree that every child has a right to public education.
• Enrollment decline mitigation.
• If we prioritize the education and support of every child...

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to make sure that any child who is in danger, Any child who is in danger is protected.
• for child care providers.
• for child care providers.
• Charlotte Neal, representing Child Care Providers United, speaking on the work of family child care providers
• Regarding child care, thank you for the continued investment in child care slots.

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• I think first and foremost is dual enrollment, trying to identify high school students.
• But I really love early college and the dual enrollment programs.
• One of those, I think, is growing dual enrollment.
• And we're seeing more and more come from that: basic needs, child care, resources.
• Before I move on, the dual enrollment is something you've talked a lot about.

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh the chart that people enrolled.
• </c> emergency, we know that the enrollment emergency, we know that the enrollment went<00:04:06.159>
• </c> least 80 hours. or you can be enrolled least 80 hours. or you can be enrolled um<00:15:05.440><c
• child in for an exam.
• </c> just an indication of open enrollment. just an indication of open enrollment.

Summary: The joint informational briefing by the Health and Human Services and Commerce and Consumer Protection committees focused on projected impacts to Hawaii consumers from federal changes affecting Med-QUEST and the ACA marketplace, including the loss of ACA premium tax credits, OBVA/HR1-related Medicaid changes, immigrant eligibility restrictions, and new Medicaid work/community engagement requirements. Committee members noted the meeting was being streamed live and emphasized the need to explain potential coverage losses affecting a significant share of the state population. Med-QUEST administrators reported current enrollment at 390,766, about 27% of Hawaii’s population, and broke that down into major groups including roughly 128,000 ACA expansion adults and about 52,000 parent/caretaker relatives. They said the expansion adult population would be most affected by the new federal requirements, which will shorten renewal periods from 12 months to 6 months and impose community engagement rules beginning in late 2026 and 2027. They described the work requirement as 80 hours per month of work, community service, work program participation, or half-time education, with an income-based pathway tied to $580 per month at the federal minimum wage; they also noted a long list of exemptions, but said many details are still awaiting federal guidance and rulemaking. The administrators said federal changes to immigrant eligibility would eliminate Medicaid coverage for certain noncitizen categories, with an estimated 1,200 to 2,400 people affected, though about 200 may remain covered through a state-funded program for otherwise eligible individuals. They also said marketplace subsidies would no longer be available for some immigrants under 100% of the federal poverty level starting January 1, 2026, with further restrictions expected in 2027. For Hawaii overall, they estimated the new Medicaid work and renewal rules could push an additional 19,000 to 38,000 people into uninsured status, with another estimated 6,000 at risk from the six-month renewal process alone. Members asked about how exemptions would be determined, especially for medically frail and seriously mentally ill individuals, and administrators said they were still awaiting detailed federal rules and were working on data-matching and verification processes to reduce coverage losses.

Transcript Highlights:

• and whether the grandfather is paid for taking the child in.
• Does that grandfather get paid for taking that child in?
• But they enroll as providers and bill us for services.”
• My question is going to be around declining enrollment and growth enrollment. Thank you, Mr.
• My question is going to be around declining enrollment and growth enrollment.

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Summary: The committee heard a series of Arkansas Department of Human Services budget presentations and questions, beginning with the Secretary’s Office and then the Division of Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services. Staff described the divisions’ appropriations, funding sources, and major programs, including senior centers, Meals on Wheels, mental health grants, substance abuse treatment, community alcohol safety, the Medicaid tobacco settlement program, and crisis stabilization units. Members raised concerns about flat or limited funding for senior services, the use and tracing of federal block grants, the lack of a funding source for the veterans’ mental health grant, and the mechanics of the community alcohol safety and treatment programs. The committee also discussed patient benefits funds at state facilities, transportation for senior center clients, and whether some special-language appropriations or fund balances should be revisited. Executive recommendations were adopted for the divisions considered. The committee then reviewed the Division of Children and Family Services and the Division of County Operations. Questions focused on foster care growth, adoption subsidies, professional fees tied to staff training and onboarding, vacancies, the Children’s Trust Fund, and TANF subgrants. Members asked about the reduction or elimination of TANF funding to child advocacy centers and other subgrantees, and DHS explained that prior reserves had been spent down and that the department was now trying to live within the annual TANF block grant and rebuild reserves. County operations questions also covered summer EBT, SNAP employment and training, the farmers’ market program, and the expected impact of a federal SNAP administrative match change, which DHS estimated would increase state costs by about $24 million annually, with roughly $18 million affecting the current year because the change begins October 1. Executive recommendations were again adopted. Finally, the committee heard from the Division of Developmental Disability Services and the Division of Medical Services. DDS testimony covered vacancies, staffing shortages, human development center construction and repairs, the reopening of the Boonville work training program, and funding for infant infirmary and child/family life programs. Medical Services testimony covered the Medicaid program, the current FMAP rate, the Our Kids B CHIP program, Medicaid payments to schools, nursing home distress funding, and large appropriation lines used to provide flexibility for claims and potential facility closures. Members asked for more detail on school Medicaid payments, reserve balances, and why some appropriations were much larger than actual spending. In each division, the committee moved and adopted Executive REC after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think first and foremost is dual enrollment, trying to identify high school students.
• But I really love early college and the dual enrollment programs. ...those kinds of ways.
• One of those, I think, is growing dual enrollment.
• And what I loved about it is that your child was in your lap doing the activities.
• Before I move on, the dual enrollment is something you've talked a lot about.

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Dorka Keene to the California Arts Council, Luciana Profaca to the Commission on Disabilities, Sarah Han Shapiro to the Commission on Disability Access, Robin Umberg and Veronica Zoror to the California Veterans Board, and Daniel Curtin to the California Water Commission. Two appointments to the State Park and Recreation Commission, Phil Ginsburg and Francesca Viter, were approved on split votes of 3-2. The committee also unanimously approved a motion to refer bills to committees. The committee then heard testimony from three appointees to the California Community Colleges Board of Governors: Jesse Melgar, Tom Epstein, and Joseph Williams. They emphasized student success, affordability, workforce alignment, dual enrollment, basic needs support, housing, and adapting to AI. Members questioned them about financial aid and ghost-student fraud, regional career technical education needs, enrollment declines, standardized testing and AB 705, community college baccalaureate degrees, and the new career passport initiative. Public commenters strongly supported the nominees, and the committee voted 5-0 to send all three appointments to the full Senate for confirmation. Finally, the committee heard from Mark Beckley, nominated as Chief Deputy Director for Operations at the Department of State Hospitals. He described his background in state operations and said his priorities would include recruitment and retention, improving treatment through a new electronic health record system, maintaining aging facilities, and supporting community providers. Senators asked about high vacancy rates at state hospitals, especially Atascadero and Patton, and about coordination with law enforcement oversight on patient deaths and safety trends. The committee voted 5-0 to advance his appointment to the full Senate for confirmation.

Transcript Highlights:

• a 10% statewide average out-of-state enrollment.
• Out-of-state enrollment, we want in-state students first.
• You have a child school-aged; the child is zoned for, but DOA takes a census to countless districts and
• The bill requires families to document they are not enrolled in public school. are not enrolled in public
• files. against the latest enrollment files to verify that the applicant is not enrolled in a public

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, only one in five students transfer within four years of the initial enrollment.
• In fact, only one in five students transfer within four years of the initial enrollment.
• However, not all individual campuses enroll this many transfer students.
• CSU is also using its budget and enrollment reallocation plan, and enrollment growth strategy, to align
• They mentioned the child development, child and adolescent development programs, especially with San

Summary: The committee held an oversight hearing on a state audit examining California’s community college transfer process and whether streamlining it could improve access to bachelor’s degrees. Opening remarks from legislators emphasized that California’s transfer system is central to equity and workforce development, but that only about one in five transfer-intending community college students complete a transfer within four years. Members highlighted disparities by race, region, campus, and major, and pointed to confusion created by differing requirements across the UC, CSU, and community college systems, including limits and inconsistencies in the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT), TAG, and major-specific prerequisites. State Auditor’s staff said the audit found that while UC and CSU systemwide enroll more transfer students than the Master Plan target, individual campuses and high-demand STEM programs often do not. The audit identified barriers including unclear and varying course requirements, limited counseling and education plans, insufficient counselor staffing at some campuses, and weak equity plans. It also found that many students never even apply because they do not accumulate enough units or cannot navigate the process. The auditor described examples where transfer students with strong preparation were denied at selective campuses and noted that articulation alignment across systems remains limited. Representatives from UC, CSU, and the Community Colleges responded that transfer remains a top priority and described ongoing reforms. UC cited a new public dashboard, data-sharing agreements, new transfer pathways, and an ADT pilot at UCLA, while saying campus-level capacity and program differences limit how much can be standardized from the system office. CSU said it admits more than 90% of eligible transfer applicants, is expanding transfer planning tools and direct outreach, and is implementing SB 640’s Transfer Success Pathway Program. Community Colleges said transfer reform must focus on clearer credit mobility, more consistent articulation, and broader ADT adoption. Members pressed the systems on inconsistent major requirements, the need for better coordination, and whether campuses are fully prioritizing transfer students; no votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> really horrible practices where a child really horrible practices where a child was<00:26:35.559
• <00:26:37.360><c> who's</c> was being physically abused child who's was being physically abused child
• </c><00:54:49.599><c> people</c> disqualifying or not enrolling people disqualifying or not enrolling
• </c> upfront before they even get enrolled upfront before they even get enrolled it's<00:55:17.319><c
• :19.160><c> that</c> it's a requirement of enrollment that it's a requirement of enrollment that they

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Last summer, 71 rising juniors and 80 rising seniors enrolled.
• Last summer, 71 rising juniors and 80 rising seniors enrolled.
• or enrolling in summer.
• or enrolling in summer.
• system-wide and a dramatic increase in summer enrollment.

Bills: SB6130 , SB6247 , SB6260 , SB6268 , SB6278

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

Keywords: voter registration, elections, national holiday, civic engagement, government initiative, school funding, financial management, budgeting, transparency, district governance, SB 6260, public education, K-12, Washington State, OSPI, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, education finance, school transportation, school buses, zero-emission bus

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:11:08.040><c> to</c> time she was the youngest child to time she was the youngest child to attend
• </c> would have been had we not enrolled would have been had we not enrolled Palmer<00:24:32.200><c>
• through the city we lived in and enrolled in daycare.
• </c><00:32:12.559><c> with</c> support our heart of hearing child with support our heart of hearing child
• I know what a deaf child needs, and that's why I chose MDS.

Bills: HF827 , HF1258 , HF2387 , HF2388 , HF2534 , HF2016

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: education, school funding, consolidation aid, financial support, Minnesota Statutes, education finance, ice arena, school districts, cooperation agreement, equal sports opportunities, school milk program, nutrition, food waste, kindergarten, public schools, supplemental revenue, charter schools, funding, state appropriations, general education funding

Transcript Highlights:

• Our team of presenters will share and highlight Quincy CTE program at a glance, including enrollment,
• Our total enrollment of 1,360 reflects an increase of approximately 60 students from the previous year
• At North Quincy High School, students can choose to enroll in elective classes, which are precursors
• At North Quincy High School, students can choose to enroll in elective classes, which are precursors
• Child care center.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held an informational hearing at Quincy Public Schools focused on career and technical education (CTE) and related legislation. Committee members said the visit was intended to gather input for ongoing statewide efforts to expand awareness and access to CTE, especially in middle school, improve equipment and facilities, and strengthen coordination with workforce partners. Quincy administrators described the district’s CTE system, including 15 Chapter 74 programs at Quincy High School and four at North Quincy High School, enrollment of about 1,360 students, updated DESE-aligned frameworks, safety practices, business electives, and funding supported by the district budget plus state, federal, and local grants. Presenters highlighted work-based learning, industry credentials, and partnerships with employers, unions, Quincy College, MassHire, and advisory committees. Examples included co-op placements, internships, clinical placements, Military Mondays, Credit for Life, Skills Capital and Perkins-funded equipment upgrades, and a planned engineering Chapter 74 application at North Quincy. Assistant Superintendent Aaron Perkins also outlined the district’s MyCAP college-and-career planning initiative and its goal of creating a vertically aligned readiness model beginning in the middle grades. Students Ellie Crump, Emily Infantino, and Alexander Liu testified about their pathways in welding, early education and care, and healthcare technology, describing hands-on learning, certifications, clinical or shop experiences, and postsecondary plans. Committee members praised Quincy as a model for integrating CTE with general education and said the testimony would inform future legislation. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded with a motion to adjourn and unanimous agreement.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> that come with that 15-day enrollment, that come with that 15-day enrollment, but<00:14:08.480>
• </c> records request and the new enrollment records request and the new enrollment record<00:18:19.200
• ,</c> virtual academy enrollment, virtual academy enrollment, necessitating<00:36:56.800><c> a</c><00
• </c> being done to ensure that every child being done to ensure that every child has<01:20:51.280><c>
• form would re-enroll.

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> for student affairs and enrollment for student affairs and enrollment management<00:15:50.360><c
• </c><00:38:25.839><c> development</c> pathway child development pathway child development Associates<
• </c><00:39:21.200><c> safety</c> holders um that involve child safety holders um that involve child safety
• </c> we did see an increase in our enrollment we did see an increase in our enrollment um<00:52:29.839
• </c><01:20:45.080><c> so</c> funding based on actual enrollment so funding based on actual enrollment

Summary: Minnesota State Colleges and Universities presented an overview of the system and several budget riders. Board Chair George Soul described the system’s structure, noting 26 colleges and seven universities governed by a 15-member board, and emphasized that Minnesota State serves about 270,000 students annually, including many students of color, adult learners, Pell-eligible students, first-generation students, and veterans. He highlighted the system’s workforce role, saying it offers more than 4,000 programs, extensive employer partnerships, and that 86% of graduates find jobs in their field or a related field. He then turned the presentation over to system staff to discuss specific funding requests. Associate Vice Chancellor Kim Lynch focused on the Z-degree textbook program, which supports zero-textbook-cost courses and degrees. She said prior legislative support has produced about $3.1 million in savings in academic year 2024 and more than $12.6 million in aggregate savings, with 10 colleges now offering Z degrees and 12 more on track or exploring implementation. She described the program’s use of open educational resources, instructional design support, and library resources to fill gaps where free materials are not available, and said students save roughly $7 to $10 for every $1 invested. Members praised the program and asked about its expansion. Associate Vice Chancellor Paul Shepard discussed student support funding, including a centralized basic needs resource hub, the Mantra Health mental health platform, and the emergency grant program. He said student surveys showed significant food, housing, and homelessness insecurity, and that the basic needs hub has served over 2,400 students with a 97% positive response rate. He said Mantra provides telecounseling, peer support, self-paced courses, and crisis support, and clarified in response to questions that it is not AI-driven and does not sell student data; general usage data is collected, and follow-up with campus counselors occurs only at the student’s request. He also said the emergency grant program has distributed over $3 million to more than 4,800 students, with grants averaging just under $700, and that campuses use application review and recordkeeping to manage repeat requests. Members asked about counselor staffing, data privacy, and grant safeguards. The final item addressed sexual assault reporting and prevention funding. System staff said the appropriation supports technology infrastructure for statutory reporting, case management for investigations, campus prevention training, and professional development for Title IX coordinators and related staff. They noted that the statutory student training requirement is funded by individual colleges and universities, not by this appropriation. No formal votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> needs because of this we have enrolled needs because of this we have enrolled our<01:12:41.199><
• But without the adequate funding, we're not going to address the needs of every child and every child
• But without the adequate funding, we're not going to address the needs of every child and every child
• But without the adequate funding, we're not going to address the needs of every child and every child
• They are not switchers, so they were not enrolled. They're not included in enrollment numbers.

Summary: The hearing focused on House Bill 115-FN, which would remove the income cap from New Hampshire’s Education Freedom Account eligibility rules. Representative Valerie McDonnell, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure is intended to fund students rather than systems and to expand educational choice regardless of income or zip code. She described the change as a small statutory edit but argued it would have significant benefits, including helping families afford alternative education settings and testing costs such as AP exams. She also cited testimony from families who said EFAs helped children with special needs or difficult circumstances, and she argued the program is popular and cost-effective. Committee members questioned McDonnell about the bill’s fiscal impact and administration. One member asked whether removing the income cap would extend vouchers to families above the statewide median income and whether the change could cost more than $100 million annually; McDonnell said she did not agree with that estimate and pointed to Arizona as a comparison. Representative Wendy Thomas asked whether the bill should require stronger data-sharing from the Children’s Scholarship Fund, which administers the program, so the Department of Education and taxpayers could better track spending; McDonnell said the program already uses ClassWallet and regulated expenditures, and that the question was better directed to the administrator. Several members testified in opposition. Representative Wendy Thomas said the bill would increase costs for public schools, raise local property taxes, and worsen oversight problems. Representative Heath Howard argued the proposal would function as a subsidy for wealthy families already paying private tuition and said public education and special education should be funded first. Representative Megan Murray also opposed the bill, emphasizing the lack of a legal reporting requirement for EFA spending and the need for transparency, accountability, and attention to special education needs. Representative Sam Farrington supported expansion, sharing a constituent story about a student who left public school after harassment and benefited from private school placement. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> more than 30 days behind on child more than 30 days behind on child support<00:10:17.839><c> and
• So students enrolling full-time will receive larger awards than students enrolling part-time.
• </c><00:25:49.480><c> for</c> estimated increases in enrollment for estimated increases in enrollment
• </c> relative to anticipated enrollment relative to anticipated enrollment changes<00:26:29.679><c> so
• </c><00:35:59.000><c> are</c> year to and fees and enrollment are year to and fees and enrollment are

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• WE ENROLL ABOUT 2000 PEOPLE PER YEAR AND THE 337 IF WE REMAIN ON TRACK WHICH WE ARE NOT BECAUSE WE'RE
• GOING TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT THIS YEAR, WE WOULD BE ON TRACK TO ENROLL ANOTHER 2000 PEOPLE.
• MOST OF THOSE COME IN IN CRISIS, 215 IN CRISIS ENROLLMENT AND 630 OR CATEGORY 34 AND FIVE WITH 140 AT
• OR THE ENROLLMENT LIST I SHOULD SAY. >> Chair Andrade: WE ARE BACK ON I THINK IT WAS THE LAST SLIDE.
• ALSO IN TERMS OF CHILD WELFARE I'VE BEEN INVESTIGATING CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT IN THE STATE.

Transcript Highlights:

• EACH SURVEY IS A DETERMINATION OF FTE MEMBERSHIP OR PUBLIC SCHOOL ENROLLMENT FOR A TIME OF ONE WEEK.
• THE FTC PROGRAM THE SFO MUST MAKE PAYMENTS AFTER THE SFO VERIFIES ENROLLMENT AND ATTENDANCE.
• WAS ACTUALLY ENROLLED IN PUBLIC SCHOOL.
• AS PREVIOUSLY NOTED SFO RECEIVED MONEY FOR THE PROGRAM BASED ON ACTUAL ENROLLMENT EACH QUARTER.
• PARENTS, NOT GOVERNMENTS, SHOULD DECIDE WHAT WORKS BEST FOR THEIR CHILD.