Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I'd like to do House Bill 538 first, since we have some friends from the Liquor Commission that I
• two positions from the list of classified positions and adding two positions all at the same labor grade
• I think what needs to be done is that it needs to go to JCEC first because it's the executive body with
• The first is that it's badly written.
• </c> brought out in the first brought out in the first committee.<00:19:32.160><c> Any</c><00:19:32.720

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 538, a Liquor Commission cleanup bill. Chair Joseph Mica and CFO Tina Deir explained that the bill updates outdated statutory titles and positions after the commission’s 2014 restructuring, deleting references to the former commissioner and COO roles, adding a director of administration and a director of finance and audit, and keeping the new positions at the same labor grade pending review by the Joint Committee on Employee Classification (JCEC). Members discussed the proper sequence for JCEC review, but generally treated the bill as housekeeping. The committee then voted ought to pass, and the roll call was unanimous, 16-0. The committee next took up House Bill 493, which would require continuing education related to child abuse/ACE recognition for physicians and other providers. Testimony and committee discussion focused on whether the bill was too vague, whether it improperly intruded on the Board of Medicine’s authority to set professional education requirements, and whether it would effectively mandate a narrow training course that is currently voluntary and free. Supporters argued the bill addressed a real problem and cited testimony about missed abuse cases, while opponents said the board should handle the issue through its own rules and that the bill was poorly drafted. A motion of inexpedient to legislate passed 9-7, and the committee noted a minority report would be needed. The meeting ended with procedural and scheduling announcements, including that the committee would be dealing with budget hearings the following week and had a large number of Senate bills scheduled for later in the month.

Transcript Highlights:

• On our agenda, the first item is a review of minutes and approval. Committee, these are before you.
• This is not his first time being recognized.
• Now, the demon, I'm just going to use his first name, Cyrus.
• And I look at my own daughter there, first-year teacher, and I know her potential.
• , grades three through eight, and then one time in high school.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate Education Committee first approved the January 20, 2026 minutes by unanimous voice vote. It then heard Senate Bill 1225 from Senator Denhardtog, which would codify a university president search process and change public disclosure rules around finalists, including a 10-business-day waiting period before naming a sole finalist. Denhardtog said the bill was intended to improve transparency while helping universities recruit top candidates, but noted the public-records language may affect more entities than intended and asked to send the bill to the amending order. The committee agreed and moved SB 1225 to the amending order. The committee also advanced RS 32-84-8-C-1, a request from Senator Carlson to print a bill changing Lewis-Clark State College’s name to Lewis-Clark State University. That request was approved without discussion and sent to print. The meeting then featured Idaho’s 2026 Teacher of the Year, Laron Johnson of Rigby High School, introduced by Superintendent Debbie Critchfield. Johnson spoke at length about the importance of teacher-student relationships, mentoring, career and technical education, Holocaust education, economics, and supporting students’ futures in Idaho. Senators asked about school size, teacher retention, and public perceptions of teachers. Critchfield then presented an informational update on Idaho’s planned federal education waiver requests, including seeking Ed-Flex authority and changes to assessment requirements, such as eliminating duplicate third-grade reading testing and allowing approved alternative high school assessments. No votes were taken on the waiver presentation, and the committee ended with notice that it would meet the next day to consider rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> or a varsity team, but a ninth grade or a varsity team, but a ninth grade team,<00:46:57.599><c>
• </c> grade was not included in that. grade was not included in that.
• </c> add 9th grade activities to the league. add 9th grade activities to the league.
• </c> in the vote moving um to add 9th grade in the vote moving um to add 9th grade as<01:06:24.240><c
• </c> graders scored highest out of all grade graders scored highest out of all grade levels<02:05:01.280

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do we need to consider the minutes first? Oh, sorry about that. Yep.
• That's in our investment-grade benchmark.
• The first 20% of profits on the return. That's it.
• And we can ask them, are you going to need it that first summer?
• But what I would tell you is about 99% of the time we are using an investment-grade company, or an investment-grade

Summary: The Legacy Fund Committee received updates from the North Dakota Retirement Investment Office (RIO) on fund performance, liquidity, in-state investments, and internal management. Scott Anderson reported strong returns for the Legacy Fund across multiple time periods, with performance exceeding the policy benchmark and expectations, driven largely by strong equity markets and effective implementation. He also reviewed private market pacing, noting commitments were on plan but that unfunded obligations and distributions were lower than expected, and presented a new liquidity analysis showing the fund had substantial capacity to meet obligations even under stressed market scenarios. The committee also discussed RIO’s internal investment program and cost savings. Anderson explained how internal management of fixed income, equity, and cash overlay strategies has reduced fees and transaction costs, while improving flexibility and portfolio construction. Members asked about staffing needs, and RIO leadership said asset growth has outpaced current staffing, with a request for additional FTEs likely coming to support investment, operations, risk, and legal functions. The committee also reviewed the Legacy Fund’s in-state investment program, including 50 South Capital and infrastructure lending, and heard that one manager’s buildout is progressing more slowly because many opportunities are still early-stage. Adam Odison presented a preliminary estimate of the 2026 Legacy Fund earnings distribution, projecting about $894.8 million under current law, with roughly $237 million to the Highway Fund and $554 million to the Property Tax Relief Fund after the sinking and interest fund allocation. Jody Smith then gave a project update on a new standalone Legacy Fund website required by statute, intended to consolidate performance, holdings, governance, fees, and use-of-funds information for the public, with a planned launch around the October State Investment Board meeting. She also raised a possible future proposal to place the Legacy Earnings Fund back under State Investment Board management so the cash could remain invested longer before being transferred out, though members noted liquidity, accounting, and bank-deposit implications would need further review. Finally, Kelvin Holden of the Bank of North Dakota reviewed the match loan program, explaining how it supports large economic development projects by pairing Bank of North Dakota loans with State Investment Board CDs. He said the program currently has about $272 million outstanding and has supported projects such as Coal Creek Station and the MDU gas line to Gwinner. Members discussed whether the program’s return is appropriate and noted a prior moratorium on new investments so the committee can revisit the policy next session. The committee then elected Senator Klein as chair and Representative Hogan as vice chair, and the meeting ended with members thanking staff and partners for the fund’s progress.

Transcript Highlights:

• at the facts and the stats, literally only four out of 10 students are meeting benchmark at third grade
• Two out of 10 are scoring at the proficient level at third grade, which means 80% of those kids are not
• reading at grade level, and those consequences live with you the rest of your life.
• And that way, when the student completes third grade, they're prepared to learn because they can read
• First of all, the conferees, including Senator O'Connor, Senator Lewis.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: House and Senate leaders announced a conference committee agreement on a literacy bill that both chambers had previously passed, saying the compromise combines the strongest parts of each version. The speakers said the bill responds to poor third-grade reading outcomes and aims to improve early literacy instruction for the next generation of students, with implementation planned for the 2027-2028 school year. The bill would require K-3 reading curricula to meet Department of Elementary and Secondary Education guidelines and be evidence-based, provide free approved curriculum options for districts that need them, and allow waivers for districts already using acceptable evidence-based programs. It also would remove unproven teaching methods, support student progress monitoring, require dyslexia screening, publish relevant data, and provide professional development and apprenticeship opportunities for teachers. One speaker described the measure as effectively ending guessing-based reading instruction and returning to phonics-focused teaching. The conferees said the bill was developed through weeks of negotiation and had unanimous votes in both chambers on the earlier versions. Senators Lewis and O'Connor, though absent, were said to support the compromise and would sign the conference report. The leaders said they expected strong support when the compromise bill comes to the House and Senate floors later in the week.

Transcript Highlights:

• What grade? You're finding, you know, you're picking. Hold on.
• grade.
• Would that include a third grade? Hold on, hold on, hold on.
• It's not up to the government to chill the First Amendment.
• Most committees end up being canceled the first week.

Bills: SB1433, SB1434, SB1435, SB1567, SB1571, SB1686, SB1745, SCR1024, SCR1025, HB2671, HB2676, HCR2044

Keywords: county boundaries, Maricopa, Gila, Pinal, Yavapai, Yuma, La Paz, local governance, Arizona Revised Statutes, Maricopa county, county division, new counties, intergovernmental agreements, special election, shared use agreements, education, explicit material, parental consent, student protection, library access

Transcript Highlights:

• First item on the agenda is adoption of the minutes of February 12.
• The first bill on our roster today is Senate File 542. Welcome to the committee, Senator Hauschild.
• 12 school complex Athletic through grade 12 school complex Athletic Field<00:26:29.320><c> in</c><00
• First, I want to thank Madam Chair and also Senator Weber for authoring the bill.
• </c> of a new pre kindergarten through grade of a new pre kindergarten through grade 12<00:56:03.000>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First up is Senate File 2067, which deals with the SAT and the MCA and a bunch of acronyms.
• The first bill is my bill. I will be handing the gavel to my vice chair, Senator Maye Quade.
• First up is Senate File 2067, which deals with the SAT and the MCA and a bunch of acronyms.
• </c><00:55:55.480><c> is</c><00:55:55.839><c> around</c> the first is around the first is around uh<00
• When you go to school conferences, I've got a third grader and a first grader, and the first questions

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But it's not a new concept: seventh grade, eighth grade.
• Seventh grade, eighth grade, we learned it. We learned about puberty. We learned about our menses.
• First of all, nutrition matters.
• I talked to kids as young as fourth grade.
• When I taught first grade, for me it wasn't a direct instruction, which is what I was trying to get at

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• first first foray<00:19:40.960><c> into</c><00:19:41.360><c> those</c><00:19:41.760><c> three-year</
• I first like to apologize for getting here late.
• So first of all, I'm going to make a conjecture.
• That means we got downs in the grades.
• grade grade level proficiency level prof grade grade level proficiency in<00:49:07.680><c> reading</

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met to review the annual report on collaboration between the University System of New Hampshire and the Community College System of New Hampshire, and the meeting began with approval of the prior minutes and a gubernatorial proclamation recognizing the community college system’s 80th anniversary. Both chancellors praised the proclamation and described the report as a statutory follow-up to the public higher education task force. They said the two systems have built a close working relationship and that the collaboration is intended to continue, though progress may be limited by resources and staffing changes. Much of the discussion focused on transfer pathways and new academic models. The chancellors said House Bill 1530 helped drive the creation of more than 100, and possibly about 130, “universal pathways” between the systems, with a reported 30% increase in community college associate-degree graduates transferring to the university system in the last academic year. They also discussed direct-admit outreach for community college graduates, early college and CTE-to-workforce pathways, and the development of three-year bachelor’s programs at Plymouth State and in some health-care fields. Members asked about nursing, allied dental health, and radiologic technology, and the chancellors said they are exploring whether some programs can be streamlined, while noting that nursing’s requirements may limit how short a pathway can be. Members also raised concerns about whether transfer pathways could affect university enrollment, but the university chancellor said declining enrollment is more likely due to a smaller pool of college-age students and broader competition, not the transfer programs. Another topic was the ERP/technology platform recommendation from the task force: the university system is moving to Workday, while the community college system is working to align business practices and move from an on-premises system to a cloud-based solution. Officials said a shared enterprise system could create efficiencies in the future, but it is not expected in the short term; student-facing tools like Canvas are already shared. The committee also discussed House Bill 112, which would require passing a civics test for graduation, and the chancellors said they support civic education but see implementation challenges. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the report.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, the first bill up is SB 1074, Mason.
• We'll take the first speaker as Tom Horne, Superintendent. Yes.
• We see them as the first line of defense.
• them to bring their grades back up.
• But when we look at some of these other mechanisms, you know, that I mentioned, like grades, grades can

Summary: The Senate Education Committee heard a presentation from Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne on school safety, academic improvement, career and technical education, ESA oversight, and teacher pay. Horne argued that students cannot learn if schools are unsafe and urged more funding for school police officers, described efforts to expand Project Momentum and tutoring, supported keeping cell phones out of classrooms, promoted the Student Industry Partnership, and called for renewing Proposition 123 with more money directed to teacher raises. In response to a question, he said the department is using AI tools, residency checks, and investigators to monitor ESA fraud and abuse. The committee then considered SB 1074, which would require written certification from a principal or administrator before a student removed for discipline could return to class. Horne and the sponsor said the bill would support teachers and improve accountability, while the Arizona Education Association opposed it as unnecessary, punitive, and potentially inconsistent with existing practice and FERPA concerns. After debate, the committee voted 4-3 to give SB 1074 a do pass recommendation. Members also heard SB 1327, as amended, requiring public universities to adopt and post research security policies and report on foreign grants and security practices. ABOR and a national security advocate supported the measure as a way to strengthen protections against foreign adversary influence, and the committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and advanced the bill 5-2. The committee then approved SB 1475, which bars students convicted of certain serious offenses from participating in school-sponsored interscholastic activities, 4-3 after discussion about second chances, counseling, and whether the bill was too punitive. Finally, the committee advanced SB 1582 and SB 1583, both related to school safety interoperability funding and fund administration, with technical discussion about correcting bill language and returning unspent monies to the fund. It also approved SB 1598, which appropriates $500,000 for grants to school districts and charter schools to create community gardens; supporters described the gardens as hands-on learning spaces that teach science, nutrition, and teamwork and can also serve as calming spaces for students. The committee adjourned after the last vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our hygiene unit, for example, provided over 1,500 showers last year, and as a result of those first
• First, thank you. Last year you authorized music therapy as a therapeutic design.
• I'm here to speak in support of the Ninth Grade Success Initiative. Ninth grade is the key.
• This work is a game changer, so please support the Ninth Grade Success Initiative. Thank you.
• In this job, I provided first-generation students like myself with resume and job support.

Bills: HB2289

Keywords: appropriations, budget, fiscal matters, state spending, general fund, supplemental budget, biennial budget, substitute bill, public defense, civil legal aid, courts, judicial branch, homelessness, supportive housing, affordable housing, behavioral health, juvenile rehabilitation, youth services, child welfare, foster care

Transcript Highlights:

• First, thank you. Last year you authorized music therapy as a therapeutic design.
• First, thank you. Last year you authorized music therapy as a therapeutic design.
• I'm here to speak in support of the ninth grade success initiative. Ninth grade is the key.
• This work is a game changer, so please support the Ninth Grade Success Initiative. Thank you.
• In this job, I provided first-generation students like myself with resume and job support.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee continued its public hearing on House Bill 2289, the fiscal biennial supplemental operating budget appropriations bill. The chair and vice chair explained the hearing process, limited testimony to one minute per person, and then heard extensive public comment from a wide range of advocates, local officials, service providers, and residents. No committee vote was taken during the hearing. Much of the testimony focused on opposition to proposed budget shifts involving Climate Commitment Act revenue, especially the proposed diversion of $569 million to other uses, including the Working Families Tax Credit. Environmental, public health, and local government witnesses argued those funds should remain dedicated to climate pollution reduction, wildfire resilience, clean transportation, natural climate solutions, and affordability programs. Several speakers also urged full funding for wildfire response and forest health, including the HB 1168 commitment, and opposed transfers from the Public Works Assistance Account. Other major topics included Medicaid and long-term care rates, with nursing home and assisted living providers warning that freezing or delaying rate rebasing would worsen staffing shortages and threaten access to care. Public health and health care advocates opposed cuts to foundational public health services, Apple Health expansion, and pharmacy benefit changes, while oral health advocates asked to preserve Medicaid dental funding and support Dentist Link. Testimony also supported or opposed funding for K-12 programs such as special education, the Ninth Grade Success Initiative, and homeless student stability; early learning and child care subsidies; disability services; public defense; housing and homelessness prevention; food assistance; higher education; and immigrant legal services. The committee concluded the hearing and adjourned after public testimony ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have taught kindergarten through eighth grade special education.
• Chairman, and This first question is really for my staff.
• Licensure for School Nurses Grades Pre-K through 12.
• First, thank you for the special ed related bills that you endorsed, first introduced this PASS session
• My oldest is in first grade at our neighborhood public school in Albuquerque.

Transcript Highlights:

• First of all, thanks.
• people and this nation's first people.
• And I think that trying the first steps first and then figuring out what the next steps need to be...
• I prosecuted a case involving a fifth grade.
• The safety of our athletes is always first.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And first, I just want to say commendable effort on self-reflection on identifying ways to align.
• are now at grade level or above.
• When I was in eighth grade, I attended math intervention at Cottonwood.
• Andres is currently in sixth grade.
• Is this, first of all, am I audible? Hi, you are. Okay, thank you. Okay, thank you.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation on strategic resource management in public education. LESC staff and PED officials argued that New Mexico has increased school funding, but local budgeting and planning remain fragmented and overly compliance-driven. They described long-term pressures including declining enrollment, rising special education costs, falling cash balances, changes in federal funding, and leadership turnover, and said schools need more intentional multi-year planning tied to student outcomes. They also outlined the many disconnected planning requirements schools must complete, compared New Mexico’s current approach with Ohio’s three-year budget forecasting model, and recommended continuing multi-year appropriations, adding $2.5 million for state grants in the unified application, and directing LESC, LFC, and PED to develop a long-term financial planning proposal. PED said it is working to reduce administrative burden through school accreditation, a unified application for federal and state funds, and internal alignment of guidance and coaching, with pilot schools reporting time savings and better alignment. Members raised concerns about four-day school weeks, the burden on small districts, the need for outcomes and return on investment, and whether the state should move toward a two-year or three-year planning cycle; staff clarified that the proposal was to streamline or eliminate redundant requirements, not add another layer. The committee then received an update on the Educator Fellows program. PED described it as a Grow Your Own pipeline that employs candidates as supplemental educational assistants while they work toward licensure, providing salary, benefits, paid leave, mentoring, and coursework support. Officials said the program helps address teacher shortages, improves student-to-teacher ratios, increases workforce diversity, and supports the Martinez-Yazzie action plan. They reported 370 current fellows across 86 LEAs and about 180 schools, with many fellows being people of color, first-generation college students, or second-career educators; roughly 85 are expected to become certified this year. A local HR director from Belen testified that the program has been especially valuable in small communities, where fellows are already rooted in the community and several have moved into teaching roles. Members asked about high school recruitment, tuition, retirement and benefits, the relationship to the Higher Education Department’s Grow Your Own scholarship, and the role of university partners. PED said fellows choose among accredited higher education partners, the program is separate from the scholarship but complementary, and the state is also building an apprenticeship model and seeking to expand the program to more LEAs, though some districts are on a waiting list because of funding and local match requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, the first bill up is SB 1074, Mason.
• We see them as the first line of defense.
• them to bring their grades back up.
• But when we look at some of these other methods, you know, that I mentioned, like grades, grades can
• Who wants to go first? I know we're in a hurry.

Bills: SB1074, SB1327, SB1475, SB1582, SB1583, SB1598

Keywords: student discipline, classroom management, temporary removal, administrative action, education policy, foreign relations, university governance, research security, international agreements, Arizona Board of Regents, interscholastic activities, student eligibility, criminal offenses, school district, youth sports, academic participation, conduct, planned communities, homeowners association, HOA

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Albert, is this your first bill? Yes. So the first time I...
• Read the first amendment.
• The first amendment.
• Read the first amendment.
• First amendment.

Summary: The House took up a series of Senate messages and concurred in several amendments before passing multiple bills. Early actions included unanimous passage of CS/CS/HB 1299 on Department of Health matters, CS/HB 1549 on financial institutions after removing a Senate-added trust-account provision, and CS/CS/SB 768 on foreign ties in business ownership after trimming registration requirements. The chamber also insisted on its housing amendment to CS/CS/CS/SB 184 after the Senate refused to concur. A major portion of the meeting focused on CS/CS/HB 875 on educator preparation. The House adopted an amendment restoring two teacher-prep courses, preserving the Florida Center for Teaching Excellence at Miami-Dade College in partnership with USF, and modifying the teacher candidate testing framework and mentor qualifications. Supporters said it reduced barriers while keeping standards; opponents raised concerns about the remaining “identity politics” language and other provisions. The bill then passed 91-22. The House also passed HB 1101 on out-of-network providers after adopting a House amendment that kept the original bill’s notice and referral provisions with a good-cause exemption, despite objections that it placed too much responsibility on doctors. Later, the chamber approved CS/CS/SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response, with members highlighting debris management, emergency planning, crane safety, and hurricane recovery provisions; it passed unanimously. The House then rejected concurrence in a Senate amendment to HB 1609 on waste incineration, and later spent substantial time debating CS/CS/HB 1115 on education, especially Schools of Hope, expanded co-location authority, funding, transportation, and school-district agreement terms. Critics argued the language was added late and could disadvantage traditional public schools, while supporters said it would expand options for students; the debate continued with the bill still under consideration at the end of the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:12.639><c> four</c><00:05:13.120><c> and</c> blastoma grade four and blastoma grade four and
• Now I have three kids; my second child is going into fourth grade this fall.
• <00:10:48.639><c> this</c> grade this grade this fall<00:10:50.399><c> um</c><00:10:51.200><c> and</c
• So, like in most states, there have been hiccups in the first weeks that it rolls...
• Hiccups in the first weeks that it rolls out.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And he was being conservative at first, and then he believes half of it's fraud. investigation going
• And he was being conservative<00:08:04.000><c> at</c><00:08:04.240><c> first</c><00:08:04.400><c> and
• And what we up through grade three.
• six, this goes up through grade 12.
• The disagreement over whether seclusion should be used in grades one, two, and three remains.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all