Video & Transcript Research : 'Science'
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NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Energy and Natural Resources (04/15/2025)
Energy and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- That's the science. This is the science behind this.
- That's the science. This is the science behind this.
- That's the science behind this. And I'm not a scientist, but I have studied this stuff.
- Is that based on science or is that based on arbitrary like the 200?
- It is based on science, has been studied well by the House, and amended with the help of DES.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration, June 25, 2026 - AM
Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration
Transcript Highlights:
- There’s no data science, no analysis, nothing underlying that.
- But one thing the science is clear about: handwriting fires up parts of the brain that using a computer
- In science and career and technical education and Career and technical education and elective, it's very
- So, I'm curious, you know, probably around when you were in sixth grade, we put in computer science as
- As long as we have that in there, we're going to have to figure out how we teach kids computer science
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Financial Services Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- History tells us what happens when science outpaces practice. Patients pay the price.
- A statutory PANS/PANDAS screening is the fastest, fairest way to turn science into everyday practice.
- History tells us what happens when science outpaces practice. Patients pay the price.
- A statutory pandas pan screening is the fastest, fairest way to turn science into everyday practice.
- This isn't about science. It isn't about cost. It's about will.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a lengthy public hearing with more than 70 people signed up to testify, focusing mainly on health insurance and health care access bills. Early testimony centered on H.1257/S.712, which would require insurance coverage for medically necessary treatment of genetic craniofacial conditions. Supporters included legislators, dentists, and medical experts who said these conditions are not cosmetic, can severely affect eating, speech, pain, and social functioning, and often create major financial hardship because insurers deny coverage. A related dental bill, H.1262/S.676, drew technical testimony from the Life Insurance Association of Massachusetts about implementation issues with the 2022 dental loss-ratio law, while the Massachusetts Dental Society supported H.1306/S.696 on transparency in dental network leasing and opposed H.1262. Representative Gentile also testified for H.4013, which would ban for-profit acute care hospitals and for-profit health insurers in Massachusetts, arguing that profit incentives undermine patient care.
A major portion of the hearing was devoted to H.1261/S.799, a bill to protect patients from surprise ambulance bills. Municipal fire chiefs, Boston EMS, nonprofit ambulance providers, and the bill’s Senate sponsor said the measure would require insurers to pay ambulance providers directly and promptly, cap patient out-of-pocket costs, and reduce confusion caused by out-of-network billing. Witnesses described ambulance services as essential public health infrastructure and said current billing practices can discourage people from calling 911 or leave municipalities and nonprofits unable to recover costs. Committee members asked about unpaid debt, municipal billing burdens, and how the bill would affect rates and reimbursement. No votes were taken during the hearing.
The committee also heard extensive testimony on H.1249/S.805, which would require screening for PANS/PANDAS in medical and clinical settings. Legislators, clinicians, parents, a teen with the condition, and educators described PANS/PANDAS as an infection-triggered inflammatory illness that can present as sudden psychiatric symptoms and is often misdiagnosed as a mental health disorder. Supporters said routine screening at well visits, emergency rooms, and other clinical settings would help identify children earlier, reduce unnecessary psychiatric treatment and hospitalizations, and improve outcomes. Testifiers repeatedly urged favorable action, emphasizing the personal and financial toll on families and the potential for early treatment to prevent long-term harm. The hearing concluded with continued testimony on these bills; no committee action or votes were announced.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance Apr 29th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Nursing programs at 20 universities award more than 3,000 Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees a year
- Nursing programs at 20 universities award more than 3,000 bachelor's of science and nursing degrees a
- Dina McCrae, the Associate Vice President for Academic Health Sciences at the University of California
- The University of California is home to 21 health science schools spanning seven professions.
- The University of California is home to 21 health science schools spanning seven professions.
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance heard testimony and took up three main budget areas: the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), differentiated assistance and the statewide system of support, and universal school meals with kitchen infrastructure grants. Public commenters and agency witnesses generally supported continued or increased funding for ELOP, with several groups urging stabilization of Tier 2 rates, more support for older youth, and preservation of equity guardrails and local flexibility. On school meals and kitchen infrastructure, testimony broadly supported universal meals and additional kitchen funding, while the LAO questioned the need for a fourth round of kitchen grants and recommended rejecting it until clearer unmet-need data are available.
For ELOP, the Department of Finance described the Governor’s proposal to provide $4.7 billion ongoing for the program and $62.4 million ongoing to set a minimum Tier 2 rate of $1,800 per pupil. The LAO recommended instead fixing the Tier 2 rate at $1,579 and tying future changes to program requirements. CDE said the program is showing positive results in attendance and math, but data on enrollment patterns, TK participation, and some overlap with other programs are still being collected. Members raised concerns about possible double-funding with ACEs and 21st Century programs, the lack of site-specific data, and whether the current structure best targets students most in need; the issue was left open.
For differentiated assistance, CCEE outlined the current statewide system of support and the Governor’s proposal to shift to universal and targeted assistance with a three-year cycle. Finance said the proposal would provide more stable county office funding, broaden universal supports, and give the State Board more flexibility to revise eligibility criteria; it also proposed $131.9 million ongoing for universal and targeted assistance. The LAO objected to changing the system before the State Board finalizes the new performance criteria and recommended revisiting the proposal later, while several members worried that a three-year entry window and broader board authority could weaken subgroup-based equity protections. The committee also discussed school meal funding, with Finance proposing $1.8 billion for universal meals and $100 million ongoing plus $100 million one-time for kitchen infrastructure, while CDE emphasized ongoing needs, deferred maintenance, and the importance of flexibility for innovative strategies such as food pantries. The committee held the issues open and invited additional public comment before moving on.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Health and Human Services (04/16/2026)
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- about religious beliefs and uh the wording um makes us believe that uh supporters are somehow deny science
- but opinions for science.
- Uh, as legislators, we would like to see uh double-blind placebo control studies. somehow deny science
- but opinions for somehow deny science but opinions for science.<00:19:24.559>
But <00:19:24.960 - <00:19:27.280>
For science. But uh it's not the case. For science.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Budget Section Human Resources Division Mar 18th, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- But as we're facing this anti-science rhetoric... ...out of many parts of our political structure out
- Our mantra is you follow science and the law. And you push back on pseudoscience with real science.
- We've pride ourselves on what does the law say, and what is the science, where does the science point
- And so we stick with the science. Representative Nelson. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
- I will hold them up against anybody as far as what they know, how to implement the rules and the science
Summary:
The committee first approved the December 10 minutes and then received a DEQ base budget summary and agency overview. DEQ staff explained that the agency is largely federally and special funded, with major ongoing costs in salaries, operating expenses, grants, and continuing appropriations. Director Dave Glatt and accounting director Beth Jacobson highlighted core programs, the move to a new chemistry laboratory, the new state fuel inspection program, wastewater-related funding from HB 1577, and implementation of SB 2267 for on-site wastewater rules. They also noted the agency’s spending patterns, possible federal EPA cuts, and the likelihood of some fee adjustments or program changes if federal support declines.
Members asked about DEQ’s travel, field offices, future staffing, and how the agency would respond to reduced federal regulation. DEQ said most staff are based in Bismarck, with field offices in Fargo, Sawyer, and Gwinner, and that travel is driven by inspections and spill response. Glatt said the agency would continue to rely on science and law, and that any future federal retrenchment could mean more state responsibility but likely not a wholesale increase in FTEs. The committee also discussed a feedlot enforcement case in the Minot area, with DEQ explaining its role in ensuring compliance, permitting, and animal-waste management standards.
The Department of Health and Human Services then presented on FTE block grant reporting, TANF balances, child care transfers, and the Rural Health Transformation Program. Donna Ockland explained that no line-item transfers had occurred yet for the new rural health work, but about 33 positions were planned and some current staff time could be reimbursed through approved cost allocation. HHS also reviewed TANF’s frozen eligibility and block grant structure, the transfer of up to 30% of TANF funds to child care, and recent program changes that increased benefits and raised the income limit. Staff said the department is using TANF more strategically to support child care and other allowable uses, while still carrying over unused funds as many states do.
Finally, Pat and HHS staff gave an update on the Rural Health Transformation Program, saying the first funding opportunity was being posted and that the state is on track to obligate the federal funds within the required timeline. They described priorities such as workforce retention, preceptor development, technical assistance for critical access hospitals, community wellness projects, and ambulance upgrades. Members asked about rural versus urban eligibility, immigrant recruitment, evaluation of year-two funding, and how the program would address varied local workforce needs. The meeting then shifted to an Office of Management and Budget update on the new State Hospital project, where Lindsay Ashley reported continued construction progress, updated cost information, and selected alternates, with photos and details showing work underway in multiple building sections.
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama House Ways and Means Education Committee Feb 18th, 2026
Ways and Means Education
Transcript Highlights:
- He also said there would be a presentation by the School of Healthcare Sciences at the conclusion, and
- We do have guests from the School of Healthcare Sciences. Um, Mr.
- from the School of Healthcare Sciences. from the School of Healthcare Sciences.
- Uh, I'm here this morning to give you an update on the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences.
- Um, the next slide, we're working on a biomed sciences premed pathway.
Keywords:
SB62, Alabama, conservation and natural resources, hunting license, fishing license, wildlife heritage license, license identification, government-issued ID, residency determination, in-state residency, student residency, tuition classification, public higher education, domicile, resident status, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, DCNR, Section 9-11-32, Section 9-11-33, Section 16-64-3
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/04/2026 - Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency
Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm currently attending the West-MEC Veterinary Science Program.
- It wasn't led by science; it was political pressure, big pharma influence.
- expansion of these superbugs that are immune, that do not respond to traditional antibiotics, that science
- expansion of these superbugs that are immune, that do not respond to traditional antibiotics, that science
- expansion of these superbugs that are immune, that do not respond to traditional antibiotics, that science
Keywords:
health profession, regulatory boards, criminal activity, notification, auditor general, investigations, veterinary technicians, certification, education alternative, Arizona Revised Statutes, veterinary education, ALTCS, providers, ownership change, healthcare, Arizona Long Term Care System, naturopathic physician, naturopathic medicine, naturopathic doctor, naturopathic physicians medical board
Summary:
The committee approved the minutes and held Senate Bill 1241 for a later hearing because a witness was unavailable. It then took up Senate Bill 1144, which would create an alternative pathway for veterinary technician certification through supervised on-the-job training instead of only a two-year curriculum. Supporters, including the Arizona Humane Society, a high school student in a veterinary program, and a veterinary technician employer, argued the bill would help address a veterinary technician shortage, reduce student debt, and expand access to care. Opponents, including the Arizona Veterinary Technician Association and some veterinarians, said Arizona already has an existing pathway, warned the bill could weaken competency standards and patient safety, and argued the shortage is more about retention and utilization than entry requirements. The committee adopted a Bolick amendment tightening supervision and documentation requirements, then passed SB 1144 as amended on a 6-1 vote.
The committee next approved Senate Bill 1247 unanimously. That bill would allow an individual who does not need services to live with a resident in an assisted living center or other unit in the facility, and would bar the Department of Health Services from imposing care requirements on that individual. The sponsor and a lobbyist said the bill was intended to fix a recent statutory interpretation that could force spouses or other companions to separate or pay for services they do not use; a floor amendment was mentioned to extend the same treatment to assisted living homes.
Senate Bill 1286, which would extend from 14 days to 60 days the period for veterinary prescriptions and renewals issued through telemedicine, drew extensive testimony and was ultimately held for a possible amendment next week. Supporters, including the sponsor, the Arizona Humane Society, and Animal Policy Group, said telemedicine has expanded access in rural and underserved areas and that longer prescription windows would improve convenience and continuity of care while still excluding controlled substances. Opponents, including the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association and several veterinarians, argued the current 14-day limit is a compromise that protects animal safety, that telemedicine without an in-person exam can lead to misdiagnosis and delayed diagnostics, and that the bill could function like a “pill mill.” The committee then passed Senate Bill 1164, which would let Medicaid billing continue under the prior owner’s certification number during a change of ownership for skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. Supporters said the current process can delay reimbursement for 6 to 18 months and strain providers; Access said it had legal concerns about possible conflict with federal law but was working on fixes. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1181, which would expand CPA certification pathways by adding degree-and-experience options and updating reciprocity rules, and a supporter from the Arizona Society of CPAs said it would address workforce shortages and improve mobility.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- in medical laboratory science, and a Master of Education in counseling.
- A political science major with a minor in legal studies, Paulina exemplifies the very best of UTRGV:
- She completed her residency at Texas Tech Health Science Center at Odessa. Guns up.
- At Texas Tech Health Science Center at Odessa. Guns up.
- Sharp earned his bachelor's degree in political science from Texas A&M University, Senator Flores, back
Bills:
SJR12, SCR39, SB27, SB29, SB241, SB406, SB414, SB464, SB568, SB578, SB609, SB660, SB689, SB693, SB785, SB857, SB879, SB921, SB922, SB955, SB985, SB993, SB996, SB1008, SB1035, SB1036, SB1059, SB1098, SB1120, SB1122, SB1147, SB1188, SB1197, SB1209, SB1227, SB1245, SB1267, SB1307, SB1321, SB1332, SB1386, SB1396, SB1453, SB1484, SB1494, SB1536, SB1537, SB1596, SB1610, SB1664, SB1741, SB1814, SB1822, SB1841, SB1948, SB2065, SB2155, SB2188, SB2230, SB2406, SB2407
Keywords:
parental rights, education, constitutional amendment, school choice, child education, border security, southern border, federal immigration policy, illegal immigration, cartels, transnational cartels, fentanyl, drug trafficking, human trafficking, Operation Lone Star, Texas border, National Guard, state guard, border wall, border barriers
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation, and approved the previous day’s journal. The chamber then adopted Senate Resolution 358 honoring the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on its 10th anniversary, with senators highlighting the university’s growth, medical school, research expansion, and role in serving South Texas. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 368 honoring outgoing Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp, with numerous senators praising his long public career, leadership in higher education, and statewide impact. Senate Resolution 361 recognizing Texas HBCU Day and Senate Resolution 362 recognizing Denton County Days at the Capitol were also adopted, along with other routine recognitions and gubernatorial appointments being read into the record.
The Senate then took up several bills. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 27, relating to rights and support for public school educators, was debated and amended to shorten vacancy posting requirements, allow bilingual certification candidates to retake only failed test sections, give teachers more flexibility with paid leave, clarify classroom removal procedures, and ensure parents are informed of appeal rights. The bill passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and it was finally passed unanimously. Senate Joint Resolution 12, proposing a constitutional amendment to establish a parent’s right to direct a child’s education, was also brought up and passed to engrossment after a contested suspension vote.
The Senate next passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1741, which would require reporting of foreign funding at public universities, bar gifts from adversarial governments, and require training and reporting systems to prevent foreign influence and intellectual property theft in higher education. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 29, the so-called “Dexit” bill, was debated at length for its corporate governance changes, including codifying the business judgment rule and altering internal corporate litigation and records rules; it passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and it was finally passed by a 30-1 vote. Senate Bill 857, allowing law enforcement discretion to tow vehicles driven by unlicensed or uninsured drivers, passed after discussion of towing abuses during flooding and disaster conditions. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1536, requiring dementia and Alzheimer’s training for certain guardians, passed with broad support, and Senate Bill 922, addressing delayed electronic disclosure of sensitive medical test results so physicians can discuss them first, was taken up and passed to engrossment as the chamber continued through its calendar.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate of the 89th Legislature Apr 1st, 2025 at 11:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- students enrolled in the program, which included 10 classrooms, a gymnasium, auditorium, study hall, science
- Sciences and in producing all different kinds of degrees that go into the workforce. for health and human
- Public and Population Health, and the Biomedical Sciences, and of course y'all represent UTMB. the best
- You're a doctor, which means your profession is based on science, correct?
- It's science and art, I would say, art and medicine is, okay?
Summary:
The recent Senate meeting primarily covered two resolutions, HCR65 and HCR19, both of which were passed unanimously with little to no opposition. HCR65 was introduced in memory of Tracy Lee Vincent of Longview, while HCR19 was presented to honor the late Terrell Lynn Roberts of Angleton. The meeting included brief addresses from several senators, who shared personal reflections on the impacts of the individuals being honored and expressed gratitude for their contributions to the community. This collaborative atmosphere showcased the members' capacity for camaraderie and respect, emphasizing the importance of human connection in legislative proceedings.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, there was a lot of modeling that had to be done to prove out the science behind the discharge.
- According to a study published in the American Journal Journal of Political Science and noted by the
- Uh, groundwater management in Texas depends on sound science, accurate data, and coordinated planning
- provide expertise, answer questions, and help ensure that policy decisions are informed by sound science
- of Groundwater Districts and some others is to help these groundwater districts with funding for science
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- theory that I never political science theory that I never studied
- My daughter in sixth grade had a science teacher.
- Maddie, your eyes are like this. in sixth grade had a science teacher.
- He in sixth grade had a science teacher.
- And that really kind of love science.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Are they science-based? It's a competitive process. So, um, it's a good review process.
- <00:20:37.440>
Are <00:20:37.600>they <00:20:37.840>science-based? - Are they science-based? It's make sense. Are they science-based?
- They have to use the best science.
- , um, just because of science and the way, uh, you know, you want to focus your efforts.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee (10-14-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:21:31.679>
backs that we do not feel the science backs that we do not feel the science - We're trying to make as much relaxation as we can based on the science.
- We're trying to make as much relaxation as we can based on the science.
- We're trying to make as much relaxation as we can based on the science.
- We're trying to make as much relaxation as we can based on the science.
Summary:
The subcommittee met on October 14, approved the minutes, and then took up a large group of staff-suggested amendments to multiple regulations. Those staff amendments were approved without objection and were described as technical changes needed to comply with KRS Chapter 13A and other governing law. The committee then moved out of order to consider Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure regulation 2011 KAR 9:270, which governs buprenorphine prescribing and related standards.
Board representatives said the regulation has been updated over time since 2015 and that the current amendments are intended to streamline the rule, remove outdated federal references such as the X-waiver, narrow education requirements to addiction-related topics, and create exceptions for settings like emergency rooms and certain pain treatment situations. The agency amendment would also allow buprenorphine monoproduct for up to 30 days when a patient is transitioning from a full opioid agonist, and would add physicians certified in addiction medicine as eligible specialty consultants. Board officials said the regulation was developed through a two-year process with a work group, informal outreach to medical organizations, and multiple comment periods, and they argued the rule is working because overdose deaths have declined and provider numbers have increased.
Several witnesses and committee members raised concerns that the regulation remains too restrictive. Senator Rocky Adams noted that major medical organizations had said the proposed language could restrict access and worsen overdose risk, and he questioned whether the committee was being asked to choose between conflicting expert views. Opponents, including a medical student, a recovery advocate, and Dr. Colleen Ryan of the Kentucky Society of Addiction Medicine, argued the rule is outdated, creates unnecessary barriers to buprenorphine treatment, and should be repealed or substantially revised to align with federal guidance and evidence-based care. They said rigid requirements can discourage treatment and that addiction should be treated like other chronic illnesses. No final vote on the medical licensure regulation is reflected in the transcript excerpt, and the discussion ended with the chair preparing to hear from additional opponents.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, September 16, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline was not based on science but on politics.
- The cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline was not based on science but on politics.
- and social science as well.
- Our students are excelling in science and social studies.
- OUR STUDENTS ARE COMPELLING IN SCIENCE AND SOCIOLOGY STUDIES.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- This is a combination of grants and a computer science supervisor at the Department of Education that
- The computer science supervisor would also oversee associated activities, such as data analysis support
- for the grants and periodic updates to the state's computer science strategic plan, which was submitted
- One of the items that I mentioned is a cut to our computer science supervisor position.
- It is a cut to our computer science supervisor position.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- could be free-ranging, following in the footsteps of their grandfather, who was a PhD in library science
- so maybe something with the science so maybe something with the libraries<00:07:57.879>
or <00 - So I think we’re going to have to, you know, I don’t know if they’re going to call it the science of
- math, just like they did the science of reading, but I think we’re going to start to see some of those
- of math just like they did the science of math just like they did the<01:28:54.960>
science <01
Summary:
The Senate Education Finance Committee met on January 21 with a quorum present for the first meeting of the 2025 biennium. The co-chairs described the temporary power-sharing arrangement in the tied Senate, introduced committee staff and pages, and had members briefly introduce themselves and share what subject they would teach. After the introductions, the committee moved to a presentation from State Demographer Susan Brower.
Brower reviewed Minnesota’s school-age population trends and projections, noting that the state had just under 1 million children ages 5 to 17 in 2023 and that, for the first time, the older adult population exceeded the school-age population. She said the school-age population is concentrated in the Twin Cities metro and other regional centers, and projected an overall decline of about 5% over the next 15 to 20 years, driven mainly by declining birth rates and long-running net outmigration of young adults. She also explained that growth is expected in some areas, especially along the I-94 corridor north of the metro, while northern regions are projected to see the largest declines. She clarified for members that her figures measure resident children, not school enrollment, and that boundary changes are not reflected in the district-level data.
The presentation also covered demographic change among students. Brower said about 35% of Minnesota children ages 5 to 17 are children of color, with growing multiracial populations and increasing linguistic diversity. She reported that about 20% of school-age children have at least one foreign-born parent, and about 18% of enrolled students speak a language other than English at home, with Spanish, Somali, and Hmong the largest home languages. She also discussed child poverty, saying Minnesota’s rate is just under 10%, below the national rate of about 15%, and that poverty is concentrated in Minneapolis-St. Paul, some first-ring suburbs, and parts of northern Minnesota, including districts with larger Native populations. Members asked questions about whether the projections accounted for migration and whether open enrollment affected the figures; Brower said the data reflect where children live, not where they attend school, and that the projections are based on recent migration and birth patterns, with future changes more likely to come from international immigration than from domestic migration.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 1/16/25
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- The second special that I just want to review here is the Health Sciences special, about approximately
- The remainder of the dollars are for health science and veterinary initiatives as described within the
- The remainder of the dollars are for health science and veterinary initiatives as described within the
- The next ones are for the College of Science and Engineering.
- <00:40:21.040>
and <00:40:21.160>Engineering the College of Science and Engineering
Summary:
The Higher Ed Finance and Policy Committee met to begin a budget overview for higher education. The chair noted quorum, committee member introductions, and that Democratic members were absent. The chair also said the Office of Higher Education would not be appearing for the planned budget deep dive, so nonpartisan fiscal staff would present instead. Ken Savory, the committee’s nonpartisan fiscal analyst, introduced a presentation on the higher education finance structure and timeline.
Savory explained the state budget cycle, the difference between direct appropriations, statutory appropriations, open appropriations, base funding, tails, and one-time appropriations, and how those concepts apply to higher education. He described the committee’s usual budget areas: the Office of Higher Education, Minnesota State, the University of Minnesota, and the Mayo Foundation. He also reviewed historical spending charts showing higher education’s share of the general fund over time, the 2/3-1/3 funding policy in statute, and how tuition and general fund support have shifted. He noted that the FY 26-27 base for the Office of Higher Education area is about $725 million, including roughly $450 million for the State Grant program and about $99 million for North Star Promise.
Members asked about comparing the current budget to earlier biennia, and staff responded that they would need to calculate the percentage difference. The chair then summarized prior budget growth, saying the previous budget was about $650 million over base and the current budget/tail was about $450 million over base. Staff also reviewed the 2024 omnibus higher education bill, including a roughly $5 million reduction to North Star Promise that was redirected to the Fostering Independence Grant program and a $500,000 appropriation for Minnesota State’s Kids on Campus program. The committee did not take any formal votes or actions during this portion of the meeting.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, March 19, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And so that's what the science of reading is all about.
- And we've seen that states that embrace the science of reading and return to the basics and a science-based
- We can return to science-based literacy instruction throughout the country.
- So now that we have science of reading.
- We can return to science-based<03:23:55.120>
literacy <03:23:55.600>instruction science-based
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- Center and the National Space Science Center and the National Space Science and<01:07:08.559>
- We're not asking you to teach science, although there's a lot of science in carpentry.
- there's a lot to teach science, although there's a lot of<05:22:51.760>
science <05:22:52.000> - Sorry, the of science in carpentry.
- We teach science, and there's plenty of math and science and carpentry.
Summary:
The Senate first recognized the Montgomery Academy boys basketball team for winning the 2026 Class 3A state championship, their second straight title. Senator Barfoot introduced the team and read a resolution commending the players, coaches, and school community for the 66-39 win over Southside Selma, noting standout performances by Braden Gordon, Mason Ellis, and Jarrett Friendley. Coach Jeremy Aant and school head John Williams thanked the Senate and emphasized the team’s selflessness, teamwork, academic standards, service, and leadership development. The Senate applauded the team, added all senators to the resolution, and arranged for a picture and challenge coins for the players.
After the recognition, the Senate came to order, established a quorum, excused absent senators, and adopted the previous day’s journal. Committee reports followed. The Committee on State Government Affairs reported House Bill 541 favorably with one amendment; the bill would create the Safeguard Alabama Voter Engagement Act, requiring party registration for primary voting, restricting crossover voting, retaining voter history as a public record, revising voter registration forms, and requiring parties to publish candidate qualifications. The bill was ordered to a second reading and placed on the calendar.
The Committee on Local Legislation reported House Bills 630, 631, and 632 favorably, all relating to Etowah County, including changes to tax exemptions and personnel board membership. These bills were also sent to second reading and the calendar. The Senate then took up Senate Joint Resolution 117, commending Dylan Nut for winning the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic, and added all members as co-sponsors. During discussion, one senator used the opportunity to speak at length about a separate concern involving alleged unlicensed real estate solicitation and the need for legislation to protect citizens from property-related scams; he also discussed the calendar process and other bills. The floor later included extended informal remarks about fishing and a separate discussion of a proposal to designate Miss America as an official state ambassador, with support expressed for a possible stipend amendment.