Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, this would be for fifth grade through 12th. This is where they will be placed.
• <00:26:19.640> through Uh this would be for fifth grade through Uh this would be for fifth
• grade through 12th.<00:26:21.040> This<00:26:21.160> is<00:26:21.240> where<00:
• We're trying to make them be a certain level of Christians, and if they don't fit the one-box Bible
• level of knowledge. level of knowledge.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I attended the Pembroke public school system through grade 8.
• Our water main broke outside the Maple Street School, where I teach sixth grade.
• Dairy Field in Manchester is grade 6 to 12; that's about $26,000.
• <01:48:10.119> there think the district at some level there think the district at some level
• <02:33:47.279> six ad because if you're in a a grade six ad because if you're in a a grade

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Policy Committee opened a hearing on HB 748, which would establish a local education freedom account (EFA) program. The prime sponsor, Rep. Kevin Verville, described the bill as enabling legislation that would let local voters decide whether to create a local EFA program by petition and ballot vote, with a 60% threshold to approve or repeal it. He argued that public education is about funding rather than a specific school building, said the proposal would expand parental choice, and cited Deerfield’s move from a single high school option to multiple tuitioned options as an example of local flexibility. Verville said the local EFA would be funded at twice the state adequacy amount, with the district matching the state portion, while other aid categories such as free and reduced meals, English language learner, and special education aid would not be doubled. He said students using a local EFA would still count in average daily membership, that unspent EFA funds would revert to the district, and that the bill would prohibit double-dipping with other scholarship or EFA programs. He also said special education services would remain under district discretion and that local EFA participants would still take statewide assessments for accountability. Committee members pressed him on several issues, especially special education, transportation, and fairness. Rep. Woodcock and Rep. Murray asked whether districts would still have to provide special education and transportation services if a student used a local EFA; Verville responded that special education would remain in the local district at district discretion, while transportation would generally become the family’s responsibility unless already required in an IEP. Rep. Cornell raised an equity concern about no income eligibility cap, asking whether higher-income families should receive the same public support; Verville replied that New Hampshire does not means-test public education and that the local EFA is a public funding mechanism, not a tuition subsidy that would cover full private-school costs. No vote or committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not used to grade how a teacher teaches their class or anything of that nature.
• When we gather that information, we need to make sure that there's protection at the district level with
• I would like to share with you my story about what happened to me last year in seventh grade.
• For seven months in fifth grade.
• I know our school boards and our schools do great jobs to manage that process, but it's not a level landscape

Transcript Highlights:

• School in the fourth grade.
• With a strong background in FFA since the 8th grade, Victoria has excelled in public speaking contests
• and leadership roles at both the chapter and district levels.
• She is a Hawk from Centennial High School and is in the 11th grade.
• And I just wanted to flag it for you and kind of give it a high-level shout-out.

Transcript Highlights:

• grade to the CTE program? grade to the CTE program?
• They can go and learn at the level that they can while she can spend her time on the level of the children
• <01:29:12.639> up from the time he was in third grade up from the time he was in third grade
• level of the children that need that." level of the children that need that."
• That's a services uh at the local level.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 4 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened, confirmed a quorum, received an invocation from Dr. Lenon Duncan, and led the pledge of allegiance. Routine business followed, including unanimous consent to dispense with reading the journal, committee reports, and bill titles. Several guests were introduced, including a governmental affairs representative, a doctor of the day and medical student, a county leadership group, agricultural youth council participants, a former senator’s spouse, and MSMS students. The chamber then took up several appropriations and finance measures. Senate Bill 2189, the transfer bill for state funds and agency budget setup, passed by morning roll call. Senate Bill 2190 increased the Working Cash Stabilization Reserve Fund minimum balance from 10% to 15% of general fund revenue; supporters said it would strengthen the state’s fiscal position, and it passed by morning roll call after no questions. Senate Bill 2480, a capacity project bill providing $265 million from CAPEX to MDOT for highway projects in Madison and Rankin counties and initial work on Highway 90, was amended to make it effective upon passage and then passed by morning roll call. Senate Bill 2832 extended the railroad tax credit repealer to 2029, and Senate Bill 2847 required state and local tax calculations to round to the nearest nickel in response to the federal penny phaseout; both passed by morning roll call. The Senate also approved Senate Bill 2191, which expands the purposes for which municipal use tax funds may be spent to include sidewalk repair and building acquisition/rehabilitation, after questions about municipal and subdivision sidewalks. Senate Bill 2885 created the Mississippi Work and Save Program, a voluntary retirement savings option for small employers and employees, with the sponsor emphasizing that participation is optional and that the program is intended to help workers without access to retirement plans; it passed by morning roll call. Senate Bill 2834, the omnibus tag bill, and Senate Bill 2838, the omnibus qualified resort area bill, were each amended with committee substitutes and passed by morning roll call. Later, the Senate suspended the rules and took up a large block of resolutions and commemorative measures, including sympathy and congratulatory resolutions, arts awards, sports championships, and other recognitions, along with House concurrent resolutions and two House bills designating observances. The transcript ends while the clerk is reading the long list of titles in the block.

Transcript Highlights:

• They found that states had four levels of access to this information.
• I was in the eighth grade when the Voting Rights Act was passed.
• And I was in the eighth grade when the Voting Rights Act was passed.
• But we don't get involved in the eligibility; that's at the municipal board level by a charter.
• I won't say federal level, not from the federal government, but national level of different organizations

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in the seventh grade.
• Is that paid for at the county level or does the state pay for it?
• What I have noticed in our review is I say the level of acuity...
• , third grade.
• That is that rises to the level of a constitutional violation.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or because of things happening at the federal level.
• or because of things happening at the federal level.
• or because of things happening at the federal level.
• I think this is see at the federal level I think this is a<00:15:01.360> really<00:15:01.720>
• or because of things happening at the federal level.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I will provide you with an overview of my office's current work and progress, our audit staffing levels
• provide the committee with an overview of my office's current work and progress, our audit staffing levels
• But when problems rise to such a level, we will, indeed, as a legislature, respond.
• The only grade that we didn't go up in was eighth grade math.
• I think has created a level of transparency that even DWR's Created a level of transparency that even

Summary: The committee heard several audit requests and related testimony. The first major item was an audit of Coachella Valley Unified School District’s contract and fiscal management. The author and supporters described long-standing fiscal mismanagement, large budget shortfalls, layoffs, contracting concerns, and questions about the district’s foundation and use of public funds. District representatives and the Riverside County Office of Education said the district is already under fiscal oversight, has a stabilization plan, and is working to reduce deficits and improve student outcomes. After extensive debate and public comment, the motion to approve the audit was put on call because the committee did not have the required votes from both houses at that moment. The committee then approved an audit of East Bay transit agencies in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Senator Wahab argued the region’s many overlapping transit agencies create fragmentation, duplication, and inefficiency, especially amid a fiscal cliff and possible future tax increases. Transit agencies and labor representatives opposed the audit, saying the agencies already undergo multiple audits, serve distinct local needs, and are implementing regional coordination efforts. After testimony from agency leaders and public commenters, the committee voted to approve the audit. The next item was an audit of California Community Colleges’ unrestricted reserves. Senator Archuleta and supporting faculty representatives said reserves have grown substantially and may be diverting resources from student services, instruction, and workforce programs. They argued there is little oversight when reserves become too high. The Chancellor’s Office and Calbright College were invited to respond, and the audit objectives focused on reserve growth, reasons for high balances, oversight by the Chancellor’s Office, and effects on students and staff. The transcript cuts off during the Chancellor’s Office response, so the final committee action on this item is not shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• She's in 11th grade at... Serving as Ms. Hujon Nashah. Okay. She's in 11th grade at Navajo Prep.
• She's in 11th grade. She stays in the residential homes on the campus.
• Dean's also in the 11th grade. Student resides in Gallup.
• We have Lisa Walker, whose 10th grade is currently the secretary for the sophomore class of 2028.
• She is in the 11th grade at Silver High School.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our athletes train and compete with elite national and international levels, earning national titles,
• Through 2nd grade division, Josephine from Canadian public schools with Representative Tim Turner.
• from Grove Valley Elementary, also of course with Representative Ross White Hater. 6th through 8th grade
• As we say from Ada, do rant with Representative Cody Maynard. 9th through 12th grade.
• Third place, 3rd through 5th grade, Ruth from Sierra Verde Discovery School with Representative Jared

Bills: HR1051, HR1048, SB2074, SJR39, SJR47, SB1983, SB444, SB1503, SB1561, SB592, SB1501, SB1946, SB1567, SB1833, SB2026, SB904, SB2178, SB1651, SB1558, SB1565, SB1553, SB1257, SB65, SB1749, SB1242, SB1642, SB640, SB667, SB1436, SB1484, SB1562, SB1794, SB1644, SB1533, SB933, SB1555

Keywords: livestock, judging, Oklahoma State University, championship, agriculture, military children, recognition, community support, military families, April 15, pharmacy benefits managers, reimbursement, healthcare, prescription drugs, cost regulation, property valuation, tax limit, homestead, income threshold, elderly

Transcript Highlights:

• and to be Chair Klevorn, we appreciate the opportunity to spend a few minutes providing a very high-level
• The social studies standards have Minnesota studies at the sixth-grade level, and this textbook and the
• curriculum that goes with it pulls in economics, history, civics, and is taught at the sixth-grade level
• <00:07:20.039> and<00:07:20.160> the grade level and this textbook and the grade level
• at the sixth grade level um we support at the sixth grade level um we support teachers<00:07:30.800

Bills: HF1234, HF1956, HF1025, HF1172, HF791

Keywords: payment transparency, public contracts, contractor rights, government accountability, construction payments, municipal finance, liquor store, audit requirements, state auditor, local government, historic flag, state flag, display standards, ceremonial, Minnesota Statutes, Ursa Minor, state symbol, Minnesota state laws, constellation, official state designation

Transcript Highlights:

• uh playing field as on the same level uh playing field as traditional<00:12:38.000> harvesting.
• levels of property taxes being assessed on that timber.
• <00:16:03.519> of that had a higher um higher levels of that had a higher um higher levels
• of legal support to provide some level of legal support to those<00:28:25.679> agreements.
• <00:40:17.520> that lot of veneer, really high grading that lot of veneer, really high grading

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting opened with roll call and approval of the prior minutes, including a requested correction to Thomas Han’s statement about a Granite State Division of the Society of American Foresters subcommittee studying the timber yield tax and current use forest land tax assessment formula. The correction was adopted, and the minutes were then approved as amended. The main agenda item was a hearing of landowners on forest taxation and carbon credits. Several scheduled speakers canceled, so the committee received a letter from Ross Karen, a Coos County landowner and forester, who opposed carbon credit sales because of “leakage” and argued that diverse local markets and productive forests are better than carbon sales. Aean Kelly of White Mountain Lumber and the Randolph Town Forest also testified, saying many Coos County landowners and forest managers have declined carbon credit offers because they do not fit New Hampshire’s working-forest tradition. He argued that carbon agreements should be treated on a level playing field with traditional harvesting and that, if they are to be encouraged, they should face a fiscal adjustment comparable to the timber tax. Kelly also gave a detailed history of the timber tax, explaining that it was created in 1948 to replace uneven local property taxation on standing timber, discourage clearcutting, and stabilize the tax base while preserving working forests. He said the tax was intended to be collected when timber is harvested, not to stop logging, and that a later commission found the 10% rate roughly matched the revenue towns lost. In response to questions, he said pre-1948 assessments varied widely by town and tax collector, and that carbon projects today are already being valued by sophisticated models, so he believes carbon should be included in the assessment system. He also said short-term carbon agreements may simply monetize existing forest value, while 100-year agreements raise enforceability concerns. No votes or other formal actions were taken beyond approving the amended minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• the city or the political subdivision is not involved with the inspection at the actual inspecting level
• It just has to be a, a third-party review that then the county gets to, gets to grade their paper so
• county or MUD, whoever, the, and, and, and that regulatory entity gets the ability to, uh, my term, grade
• We like the idea of third-party reviewers as long as we get to review their homework and grade their

Transcript Highlights:

• And anyway, so the giant fossil came to my attention about 8 years ago from a eighth grade class, and
• And anyway, so the giant fossil came to my attention about 8 years ago from a eighth grade class, and
• I'm in the 10th grade.
• I'm in the 10th<00:47:50.480> grade.
• Three years ago, I 10th grade.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They start going back to their Texas history classes from eighth grade and their Schoolhouse Rock videos
• He said he does not know how long this winding road will go, but eventually he will make it to the level
• Presidents conduct an annual review of upper-level administrative positions and report to the board,
• So my recommendation... ...to K, kindergarten, third grade reading scores.
• seeks to answer the state's charge of awarding more post-secondary credentials, specifically lower-level

Summary: The committee heard and discussed several higher education and public school bills. Senator Burwell presented SB 1242 to remove an outdated Coordinating Board approval requirement for Texas State Technical College land and facility acquisitions, and SJR 59 to create a constitutionally dedicated endowment for TSTC capital needs; both drew strong support from industry and workforce groups and were left pending. SB 757, by Senator Middleton, would create a debt-to-earnings accountability system for public college programs, with supporters saying it would protect students from low-value degrees and opponents warning it could unfairly penalize programs with long-term value, especially graduate, medical, and public service fields; it was also left pending. SB 1241, by Senator Millington, would expand acceptable college entrance exams beyond the SAT and ACT, including the Classic Learning Test, and was left pending after testimony from CLT, homeschool, and student groups in support. SB 1085, by Senator Blanco, would let Sul Ross State University offer lower-division courses at its satellite campuses in the Middle Rio Grande region; it too was left pending. The committee then took up a series of public school and higher education measures, voting several out favorably. SB 605, as substituted, limits commissioner approval of charter school expansion amendments for schools under conservatorship or a management team and was reported favorably 9-0. SB 1871 and SB 1873, both by Senator Perry, were revised to narrow teacher immunity, clarify removal and suspension procedures, require periodic review of in-school suspension placements, and align discipline rules; both substitutes were adopted and reported favorably. SB 1872, SB 1874, SB 762, SB 1962, SB 1750, SB 2252, SB 2253, SB 2365, SB 1924, and SB 37 were also considered, with most reported favorably on party-line or near-unanimous votes. SB 1750 would replace a flat charter school facilities funding cap with an attendance-based formula; SB 2252 and SB 2253 address kindergarten readiness, early literacy/numeracy, and educator preparation; SB 2365 concerns student phone use during instructional time; SB 1924 restores local citation authority for certain school offenses and adds reporting, notice, and completion requirements; and SB 37 would expand state oversight of higher education curriculum, governance, faculty senates, and compliance with state law. Other measures heard included SB 769, which would require a Coordinating Board report on barriers faced by students with disabilities in higher education; supporters emphasized the need for better data and accessibility, while witnesses suggested broader reporting on race, disability types, and K-12-to-college transitions. SB 2231 would designate a Free College Application Week in October and was left pending. SB 1878 would modernize the Josie School statute and provide formula funding and aid eligibility for Polytechnic College. SB 1409 would authorize universities to offer self-funded student health benefit plans, with Rice University and Texas 2036 supporting the measure as a way to lower costs and expand coverage. SB 2431 would require universities to give foreign language credit for study abroad programs, SB 2314 would require schools to inform students about opting in or out of record sharing for direct admissions through My Texas Future, and SB 2138 would extend the state’s anti-ESG contracting restrictions to public higher education endowments and governing boards; these later bills were introduced and left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• support at that local level as possible. support at that local level as possible.
• level.
• <00:14:16.240> level.
• <00:14:17.199> I to get them reading at grade level.
• I to get them reading at grade level.

Bills: HF2430, HF2433

Keywords: education finance, teacher training, Read Act, state aid, school funding, education funding, children with disabilities, transition aid, special education, school district consolidation, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So 6th, 7th, and 8th grades are allowed to have this program, which will give the kids the ability to
• of going into the JROTC and gain leadership training, citizenship training, and lots of different levels
• commissioner having the opportunity to define curriculum for certification to gain both in 11th and 12th grade

Bills: HB 1079, HB3651, HB4980

Keywords: Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, Leadership Officer Training Corps, public school, career education, military readiness, public school accountability, funding allotments, healthcare, insurance, cost control, patient access, regulation, affordability, public health, JROTC, automobile maintenance, high school education, elective course, student skills, practical knowledge

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we used dynamite to level two mountaintops.
• Uh, we used dynamite to level two mountaintops.
• That has to be done at the earlier grades.
• . exploration at the middle school level.
• And then uh combining earlier grades.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education and Workforce Development met for an information-gathering session and opened by clarifying that the subcommittee would not be voting on budget requests. Because there was no quorum at first, the committee did not take up approval amendments. The first presentation focused on a budget request to incentivize national certification for school social workers and school psychologists. Rep. Vanessa Gracal, along with Amy Oats and Leslie Gilpin, argued for a $500,000 annual appropriation to provide $2,000 salary supplements to nationally certified school social workers and school psychologists working primarily in their certification areas. They said the stipend would help recruit and retain professionals amid shortages, noted that current Kentucky certification numbers are low, and explained the rigorous certification and renewal requirements. In response to questions, they said there is currently no appropriation for this purpose in HB 500 and none they were aware of in HB 6 in 2024. The next topic was school facility funding needs, led by Rep. Bob McCool, Johnson County Superintendent Tom Cochran, Commissioner of Education Robert Fletcher, and other district representatives. They described the “gap funding” issue for school construction projects that had already started before COVID-era inflation sharply increased costs. Johnson County and Harrison County were highlighted as examples of districts that had already committed local funds, passed nickel taxes, and begun construction but now need additional state support to finish projects. Speakers emphasized that many projects were audited and approved, that the state has already funded about half of the gap, and that roughly $130 million more is being sought in HB 500 to complete the remaining work. They stressed that unfinished projects would leave districts with half-built schools and that completing them would bring long-term savings and better facilities for students. The committee then turned to testimony from KASA representatives on the impacts of HB 500 as introduced. The witnesses discussed the importance of school psychology and school social work certification, the benefits of advanced training for student services, and the need to recognize and support highly qualified staff. A member asked whether HB 500 or HB 6 included an appropriation for the certification stipend, and the witnesses answered no. The meeting also included a motion to approve the minutes from the prior meeting once a quorum was present, and the minutes were approved by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is implemented by grade level.
• It is implemented by grade level.
• It is implemented by grade level.
• with the school leaders at the local level?
• with the school leaders at the local level?

Bills: SB23, SB73, SB210, SB234, SB243, SB244, SM16

Keywords: student use, wireless devices, public schools, policy implementation, education technology funding, driver education, driver's ed, driving school, motorcycle safety, traffic safety, vulnerable road users, pedestrian safety, bicycle safety, cyclist, bike lane, micromobility, scooter, moped, motorcycle training, DWI prevention