Transcript Highlights:

• They identify academic issues in their own practice and work out solutions.
• Our students set academic goals and make action plans and celebrate success.
• They identify academic issues in their own practice and work out solutions.
• school uh to to reach their academic school uh to to reach their academic potential<00:26:54.559
• Thank you, Chair Kunesh and members of this committee. academic growth is Central to what we do academic

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Education Finance Committee met on February 5, 2025, to hear testimony from representatives of Minnesota’s Catholic and other nonpublic schools, focused on state nonpublic pupil aid, transportation, counseling, nursing, and related support programs. Meg Forette of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis argued that Catholic schools serve more than 30,000 students across many districts, educate a diverse population, and achieve strong academic results while operating at far lower per-student costs than public schools. She urged lawmakers to reject proposed cuts to nonpublic funding, saying they would be inequitable and harmful to lower-income families, and also raised concerns about state teacher-licensing requirements conflicting with Catholic values. Trisha Menshu, principal of St. John Paul II Catholic School in Northeast Minneapolis, described a student body with high levels of poverty, learning needs, and academic gaps, and said state-funded nurse and guidance-counseling services are essential to keeping students safe, healthy, and on track for high school. She said the school absorbs many costs itself, including medical supplies and significant staff time, and credited the support programs with helping students make strong academic growth and graduate on time. In response to a senator’s question, she clarified that the school uses the nursing aid for limited nurse time and pays other medical-related costs from operating funds, with no billing back to public school districts. Committee members asked follow-up questions about the relationship between teacher licensing and Catholic values, and about how medical needs for nonpublic students are funded. Forette said the concern was not with welcoming all students but with how DEI-related trainings and language are presented in ways that conflict with Catholic teaching. The committee then moved on to the next testifier, Andrew Hiliker of Stella Maris Academy in Duluth, who began by describing his school’s growth and the state’s role in supporting all students, regardless of school choice.

Transcript Highlights:

• Down under funding sources, under performance fund, we have zero amount, but we budgeted $625,000, but
• Performance fund in the future, we just utilize what we need in the current budget year. ...fund in the
• From the performance fund held by and dispersed by DFA. Okay. All right. Thank you. Thank you.
• , particularly the state's most academically distressed public schools.
• If we know what the number one impact on investment is for getting students to perform better and learn

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:

• And responsible use of AI is key to preserving academic integrity.
• They have book groups on the ethics, how to implement it into their teaching, how to handle academic
• that I met with a Jonesboro School District who is trying to make sure all of their students are performing
• Critical thinkers about civic responsibility and academic success.

Summary: The meeting opened with a report on annual solvency certification for institutions of higher education, which required no action and was to be distributed later. The main presentation focused on artificial intelligence in K-12 and higher education, delivered by students from Arkansas State University, the University of Central Arkansas, and Valley View High School. They argued that AI is becoming central to education and the workforce, especially as Arkansas adds major data center investments, and said students should be taught to use AI responsibly so they can compete for jobs, improve internships, and keep talent in-state. They also emphasized concerns about academic integrity, cybercrime, and the need for ethics training and district-level guidance. The presenters shared survey findings from educators in several Arkansas districts, saying most teachers support teaching responsible AI use, believe students without access to AI will be disadvantaged, and want training and district-level management. They described existing AI uses at Arkansas colleges, including AI tutors, AI-generated practice exams, homework feedback tools, and classroom applications in business, climate science, and urban forestry. They also proposed an AI library built on the state’s Access Act infrastructure so K-12 and college students could access shared AI tools and resources across Arkansas. Committee members asked about student attitudes, classroom concerns, and whether AI could help standardize course materials and objectives across institutions. The presenters said reactions among students are mixed, with arts students especially worried about copyright and originality, but that many recognize AI’s real-world value. A UCA representative added that faculty training, ethics discussions, and academic dishonesty guidance are already underway there. The chair thanked the students, noted their work on related research projects, and then moved to a second presentation from Pine Bluff community leaders. The Pine Bluff group described community-based school support efforts, including the Pastors on Patrol program, mentoring, anti-bullying and nonviolence training, drug and vaping education, leadership clubs, and a youth diversion effort for students at risk of detention. They said their work is aimed at improving school climate, encouraging citizenship and scholarship, and reducing negative behavior. Members praised the group’s efforts and asked about expanding the programs to other districts; the presenters said their model and curriculum can be shared and adapted. The meeting ended after the chair thanked both groups and adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• And of course, we can't forget TSU's World Renowned Ocean of Soul Marching Band, which recently performed
• His success is a testament to the strength and quality of TSU's academic programs.
• Today TSU continues to lead in academics, research, and service, and I want to recognize some of the
• EIS site coordinators work in partnership with campus leaders to create a multi-tiered academic education

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The E.D. to designate schools based on their performance.
• And there are also some consensus targets that have been agreed upon for performance.
• Is on page 100 of Volume 1 of the policy and performance.
• We reached consensus on performance measures where applicable.
• Consensus for performance measures. So, Mr. Chairman, we'll move on then to 352 education.

Transcript Highlights:

• He left active duty as a lieutenant to pursue his medical and academic training. Thank you, Dr.
• Throughout Arizona with performances of exceptional artistic excellence.
• on the world's most prestigious stages, and whereas the performing arts play a vital role in enriching
• And performance.
• On this National Ballet Day, let us honor the power of the performing arts to unite, heal, and elevate

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and introductions of the doctor of the day and numerous guests, including visitors for Lunar New Year, Arizona Statehood Day, school groups, local officials, and community leaders. A proclamation was read honoring Phoenix Ballet and National Ballet Day, and Representative Gress spoke in support of the recognition. The chamber also received committee and membership announcements, including temporary committee substitutions and several bills being re-referred or withdrawn to other committees. On third reading, HB 2190, which would have added Article 5 to Title 32 relating to the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants, failed after debate over whether it improperly authorized rulemaking; it was defeated 20-38 with two not voting. The House then took up HB 2206, relating to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program administration, and HB 2396, another SNAP-related bill focused on restricting certain purchases. Members debated the bills at length, with opponents arguing they would burden low-income families, worsen food access in desert areas, and limit personal choice, while supporters said the state should encourage healthier purchases and that existing public benefit programs already include restrictions. HB 2396 passed 34-25 with one not voting and was sent to the Senate. After announcements, including committee meetings, an African-American Legislative Day program, and a birthday acknowledgment for the Majority Leader, the House briefly recessed and then reconvened. Additional desk business was handled, including a first reading of HB 2999, a municipal approval district technical correction bill, and the referral of first-read measures for printing. The House then adjourned until Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Eventually, she started forcing me to perform sexual favors for men who stopped by on the weekends.
• As long as it's used entirely to support student scholarships, wellness, and academic costs, which are
• Academic costs, which are three very different things, and if you're talking about putting them into
• <01:09:08.400> That's<01:09:09.240> way wellness or academic costs.
• That's way wellness or academic costs.

Bills: HF4234, HF3697, HF1183, HF4738

Keywords: HF4234, Minnesota private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, bond cap, aggregate bond limitation, residential rental projects, multifamily housing, affordable housing finance, housing bonds, public finance, bond allocation, private activity bond cap, Minnesota Statutes 474A.02, tax committee, tax refund, Minnesota Statutes, time limit, claims, tax overpayment, taxation

Summary: The committee first adopted the April 14, 2026 minutes as amended, correcting a misspelling in the reference to Chair Davids. It then heard House File 4234, a tax-exempt bonding/affordable housing bill from Representative Rey Rower, and adopted a technical A1 amendment before laying the bill over for possible inclusion in the 2026 tax bill. The bill would conform Minnesota law to recent federal changes to low-income housing tax credit rules by lowering the amount of tax-exempt bonds needed for projects to qualify, with the stated goal of spreading bond allocations across more projects and increasing affordable housing production without additional state funds. Testimony in support came from the bill author, the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, and Mary Tingerthal, who said the change would increase efficiency in the use of federal bond authority and could raise the number of funded housing projects from about 16 to 25 per year, bringing in roughly $120 million more annually for housing. Members discussed where the benefits would be felt statewide, including greater Minnesota and larger metro areas, and the author said the bill would help address shortages in affordable and senior housing. The committee took no final vote on the bill, instead laying it over. The committee next heard House File 3697 from Vice Chair Norris, which would change Minnesota’s tax refund claim timelines to better align with federal law and most other states. The author and a tax attorney testifier said the bill would reduce confusion and help taxpayers, especially vulnerable individuals who may overpay or be overassessed and then miss the current deadline to seek refunds. The Department of Revenue said it had no concerns with the language and did not oppose the bill, and the committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion in the 2026 tax bill. Finally, the committee began hearing House File 4738 from Representative Keeler, a Safe Harbor funding proposal for victims of sex trafficking and sexually exploited youth. The author described Safe Harbor as a statewide program serving youth across Minnesota and said the committee should consider creative funding options, but Chair Davids stated the proposed funding source would not work because it would take money from women’s sports scholarships. Testifiers from Lake House in Duluth and a former Safe Harbor youth described the program’s impact on homeless and trafficked youth, including shelter, mental health services, education, and transition to adulthood. The hearing continued with testimony, but no action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the highest academic team Award.
• Nven's leadership, Lamar Consolidated performs above the state average in academics, with all 50 campuses
• above<00:18:24.240> the Lamar Consolidated performs above the Lamar Consolidated performs
• He has a strong academic those he led.
• It was not to get performative.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Their grit, teamwork, and determination fueled this championship performance. Mr.
• Speaker, I often call performance. Mr.
• <02:00:41.920> high the country's highest performing high the country's highest performing
• nations uh when it comes to academic nations uh when it comes to academic achievement<03:24:10.720
• <03:55:10.399> research, But now we have the academic research, But now we have the academic

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, March 19, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• schools to make similar efforts to avoid scheduling graduation, the first day of class, and other academic
• This office, to be overseen by the Inspector General, would be responsible for performing audits of key
• The best metric we have to evaluating this very large agency's performance over the years is through
• Outside of academics, Dell was an incredibly friendly man. He wanted to help everybody and anybody.
• Students shouldn't have to choose between saving a life and risking their housing, academic standing,

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Majority-passed legislation restricts when law enforcement officers may wear facial coverings while performing
• So these are not academic questions.
• These are not academic questions.

Keywords: June 29, 2026 - Special Session 1, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• home to Texas A&M University of McAllen Higher Education Center, South Texas College, the McAllen Performing
• UT Health Science Center is already one of the largest academic research institutions in San Antonio.
• of the best and the brightest of the brightest. welcomes them through its doors. because of their academic

Bills: SB2, SJR36, SB2, SR19, SR27, SR30, SR32, SCR11

Keywords: Houston East End, Chamber of Commerce, East End Day, economic development, community involvement, scholarships, business events, McAllen, celebration, community pride, cultural events, economic growth, McAllen Day, community recognition, South Texas, local pride, Wise County Day, Texas Senate, Wise County, state recognition

Transcript Highlights:

• Many times this training is performed on the job. Imagine if you're overseas...
• Many times this training performed on the job. Imagine if you're overseas.
• After many times, this training is performed on the job.
• are experienced maternity care providers who train, mentor, and supervise students, bridging their academic
• are experienced maternity care providers who train, mentor, and supervise students, bridging their academic

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard several Senate bills focused on workforce training, public safety, health, and consumer protection. SB 1203 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas would expand and modernize private security guard training, especially de-escalation training, and drew strong support from security workers and labor groups who described dangerous encounters and inadequate preparation. Opponents, including security firms and business groups, argued the bill would impose major costs, create staffing shortages, and push employers toward unregulated alternatives. The committee ultimately voted to pass the bill to Labor and Employment, with some members noting support contingent on future amendments about training capacity. SB 936 by Senator Blakespear would restrict retail sales of larger nitrous oxide canisters while preserving legitimate medical, culinary, and automotive uses. Supporters, including Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley, counties, public health groups, waste agencies, and law enforcement organizations, said misuse of nitrous oxide is causing addiction, impaired driving, neurological harm, and disposal hazards. There was no organized opposition on the record, and the committee passed the bill to Public Safety. SB 1271 by Senator Reyes would require the Medical Board to collect data on licensed midwives’ capacity to serve as preceptors and train new students, with the information reported to the Legislature. Supporters said California’s midwifery pipeline is strained, especially in rural and birth-desert areas, and that more data is needed to expand training access. The committee passed the bill to Health. SB 903 by Senator Padilla would prohibit AI chatbots from being advertised or used as therapists without appropriate licensed-professional oversight and informed consent, and would reinforce confidentiality and patient-protection rules. Testimony centered on the death of a teenager after extensive interactions with an AI chatbot, with supporters urging stronger guardrails and opponents asking for amendments; the committee passed the bill to Privacy and Consumer Protection. The consent calendar item, SB 1165 by Senator Caballero, was also approved and sent to Revenue and Taxation.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's both the written exam and oral performance exam and nationally, the passage rates of to become
• report back on that very soon regarding the court reporters, we have a commission on trial court performance
• So I obviously have law student and a lot of certified legal in turns who convert from being academic
• They're there for academic credit and literally the next day I've got them on the payroll.
• It's it's a command performance and you need to be there and so telling somebody their part-time, it

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, enhancing the reach, enhancing transparency, and we perform all of this free of charge.
• Um, see a connection with school discipline or academic performance.
• Research shows that excessive social media use, we know, affects sleep, academic performance, emotional

Bills: HB 186

Keywords: public funds, lobbying activities, political subdivisions, government expenditure, transparency, local government, political subdivision, county, city, municipality, special district, taxpayer-funded lobbying, lobbying restriction, registered lobbyist, government association, county association dues, Texas Legislature, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, Chapter 556

Transcript Highlights:

• And we perform all of this free of charge. And we have a passion.
• Connection with school discipline or academic performance, I know that's relevant to this committee too
• Research shows that excessive social media use, we know, affects sleep, academic performance, emotional

Bills: HB186, HB517, HB 1093, HB 1268, HB1395, HB186

Keywords: social media, children, account verification, data privacy, parental control, property owners' association, residential watering restrictions, vegetation, fine limitations, drought, technology, innovation, economic development, grants, Texas Economic Development, business funding, HB 1395, private passenger vehicle rental, car rental, vehicle rental

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we do have, uh, LBB performance measures that we submit.
• Um, high school equivalency and high school diplomas earned is another performance measure that we submit
• So these particular programs, in addition to the technical training, the academic, it's about how to
• All the academics providing the high school equivalency, high school diploma, and I will say with this
• Our staff monitors the performance of those vendors very strictly.

Transcript Highlights:

• > honor<00:07:09.360> scholarship, performance, and the honor scholarship, performance,
• year, which is now down to 41% for the most recent academic year.
• So there's a continuous update when you're on that IRP of that student's performance.
• <01:02:44.880> So IRP of that student's performance.
• So IRP of that student's performance.

Bills: HB0076, HB0102, HB0115

Keywords: annexation, landowner rights, municipal law, city planning, property, local government, artificial intelligence, synthetic sexual material, child protection, self-harm, criminal liability, cardiac emergency, defibrillator, school safety, training, public health, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They can oversee the executive that performs those functions.
• That performs those functions.
• program evaluation and performance audit.
• For 33 years, she served as a performance auditor.
• And so that kept us from doing an actual performance audit.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The subcommittee hearing focused on whether the Office of the State Auditor may constitutionally audit the Massachusetts Legislature under Chapter 250 of the Acts of 2024 and what such an audit could include under generally accepted government auditing standards. Chair Cindy Friedman opened by explaining the background: voters approved Ballot Question 1 in November 2024, the law took effect in January 2025, and the Auditor then initiated audits of both chambers. The chair said the subcommittee was seeking expert testimony because the proposed audit scope, constitutionality, and possible bias concerns remained unresolved. Public testimony was invited, but no members of the public pre-registered; written testimony remained open for a short period after the hearing. The hearing then proceeded with invited experts on constitutional law/state government and auditing-related issues. Professor Lawrence Friedman testified that the ballot initiative’s approval by the Attorney General and by voters did not resolve constitutional questions, and he argued Chapter 250 violates the Massachusetts Constitution. He said the Legislature has constitutional authority to set its own rules and manage its proceedings, and that an executive-branch audit would intrude on legislative deliberation, speech and debate protections, and separation of powers. He also warned that even audits of supposedly administrative matters could become a vehicle for repeated document demands and litigation that would indirectly burden legislative functioning. In questioning, senators pressed him on the line between administrative and deliberative functions, the role of the Attorney General versus the courts, the possibility of retroactive audit scope, and whether prior legislative consent to audits mattered; he said prior consent would not bind future legislatures and that constitutionality is ultimately for the courts. Professor Ray La Raja also opposed the audit, framing it as a threat to institutional independence and representative democracy. He argued that allowing an executive-branch official to audit the Legislature without consent would upset separation of powers, chill internal debate, and create a precedent for broader executive intrusion. He said voters often support “transparency” reforms without fully appreciating institutional consequences, and that legislatures should defend their autonomy, especially amid what he described as broader executive overreach nationally. Senators asked about chilling effects, the practical distinction between administrative and core legislative functions, and whether the courts or the Legislature should resolve the issue; he said the courts would ultimately adjudicate disputes, but the Legislature should not waive its constitutional authority lightly. Jean Kempthorne took the opposite view, arguing the audit is permissible and should proceed. She said the state auditor is a constitutional officer accountable directly to the people, that the audit power can be expanded by statute, and that separation of powers does not require watertight compartments. She contended the audit would not displace core legislative powers because the auditor can only evaluate operations, report findings, and make recommendations. She also argued the Legislature itself already conducts audits of other branches, so it is inconsistent to claim an audit of the Legislature is unconstitutional. In response to senators’ questions, she said there are guardrails against truly intrusive requests, but that the administrative-versus-legislative distinction is not a workable bright line; she suggested disputes should be handled case by case, with objections, negotiation, or litigation if specific requests go too far. No votes or formal actions were taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Important places that every child should be able to access for their well-being, as well as their academic
• groups in our state and beyond, this bill sponsor states that the goal of this bill is banning drag performances
• kids pretending to be a woman, would you think that's appropriate if it's part of a theater or performance
• ...it's part of a theater or performance? Absolutely! It happens all the time, reading to kids.

Bills: HB141, HB161, HB231, HB67

Keywords: HB141, Alabama, state employees, salary deductions, payroll deduction, State Comptroller, membership dues, voluntary contributions, insurance premiums, financial instruments, employee associations, state payroll, Code of Alabama 1975, Section 36-1-4.3, public employees, union dues, benefits administration, payroll withholding, financial products, deferred compensation