Transcript Highlights:

• Our goal is to safeguard the integrity of athletic competitions across Texas and to promote civility
• addressing the increasing incidence of inappropriate behavior by spectators, which can undermine the integrity
• Our goal is to safeguard the integrity of athletic competitions across Texas and to promote civility
• addressing the increasing incidence of inappropriate behavior by spectators, which can undermine the integrity

Summary: The Committee on Education K-16 heard testimony on SB 1635, which would give certain coastal, recapture-paying school districts a credit against recapture payments for mandatory windstorm and hail insurance costs. Senator Hinojosa said the bill is intended to offset unusually high insurance expenses for districts in Tier 1 or Tier 2 coastal zones, and he estimated about a $12 million impact to state revenue. Witnesses from Port Aransas ISD and Gregory-Portland ISD described sharp premium increases, reduced coverage, higher deductibles, and the effect on teacher pay and classroom spending. Senators asked about the number of affected districts, the accuracy of the fiscal estimate, and whether the bill might encourage districts to maintain coverage. Public testimony was closed and SB 1635 was left pending. The committee then took up several other bills and committee substitutes, adopting and reporting favorably SB 2786, SB 2623, SB 646, SB 843, SB 2392, SB 1998, SB 1418, SB 2788, and SB 2076, with most votes unanimous or near-unanimous. SB 2392 was amended to add improper relationship between educator and student to mandatory reporting offenses and to authorize an attorney general civil penalty for failure to report. SB 2623 was revised to clarify duties and exemptions related to the Safe Schools and Neighborhood Task Force and school proximity restrictions. SB 843 would create a TEA database of school district bonds and related projects, and SB 2788 would exempt certain PSAT scorers from the Texas Success Initiative assessment. The committee also heard SB 2929, which would allow referees and other officials at school athletic events to immediately eject disruptive spectators. The Texas Association of Sports Officials testified in support, citing abusive spectator behavior and a shortage of officials. SB 2929 was left pending. Finally, the committee heard a substitute for SB 2927 on 1882 partnerships and a substitute for SB 2619, which would require more transparency and accountability for failing school districts, superintendent hiring, trustee training, and takeover timelines. Testimony on SB 2619 was mixed, with one witness from Texas 2036 supporting parts of the bill’s accountability provisions. The committee adopted the substitute for SB 2619, left it pending, and then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Krug's guidance, Kavayona has become a beacon of cultural education, integrating EK Hawaii into its curriculum
• become a beacon of cultural Kavayona has become a beacon of cultural education,<00:04:26.800> integrating
• <00:04:27.520> EK<00:04:28.199> Havaii<00:04:29.199> into education, integrating
• EK Havaii into education, integrating EK Havaii into its<00:04:29.960> curriculum,<00:04:30.960

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the vision and resources needed to design, build, and test, from the ground up, an innovative and integrated
• Our school leaders play an integral part in this initiative, ensuring that it is Our school leaders play
• an integral part in this initiative, ensuring that it is carried out throughout the schools and that
• med students and the nurses is really amazing, and you're really using the university setting and integrating

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education Postsecondary met to receive an update from Florida developmental research lab schools on articulated health care programs created under the Live Healthy initiative and Senate Bill 76. Chair Calatayud opened the meeting, confirmed a quorum, and heard presentations from P.K. Young/University of Florida, Florida State University Schools, FAMU Developmental Research School, and Florida Atlantic University Laboratory School. Each school described efforts to build K-12-to-postsecondary health care pathways, expand dual enrollment and industry certifications, and share replicable curriculum models with other districts. FSU Schools highlighted its HERO program, including CNA and food manager certifications, dual enrollment growth, reserve seating at colleges, and a paid internship with the Department of Health tied to emergency shelter operations. P.K. Young described its Healthy Lives Blueprint, which combines K-8 wellness experiences, a new high school health and human performance pathway, AP and science course expansion, a planned gymnasium redesign, and partnerships with Santa Fe College and UF. FAMU DRS reported growing dual enrollment, partnerships with FAMU, Tallahassee State, and Lively, and a goal of serving at least 100 students and 40 staff through health career exposure, certifications, and AA/AS pathways. FAU Lab School described a more advanced model that integrates elementary through high school research and health science experiences, including biotechnology, bioengineering, and partnerships with health and research institutions. The school reported 87 peer-reviewed student publications, more than $350,000 in student grants, six patents, and pipelines into FAU’s medical and nursing programs, including a Med Direct pathway and a National Merit Scholar pipeline. Committee members asked about student readiness for nursing programs, dual enrollment, articulation with state colleges, and how the lab school models could be disseminated statewide. The meeting concluded with praise for the programs and a motion by Senator Fine to adjourn, which was adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• about how to design a new program to achieve its statutory objectives while maintaining program integrity
• seen in Minnesota, program integrity seen in Minnesota, program integrity measures<00:37:31.280>
• like program integrity like program integrity how<00:46:19.040> do<00:46:19.440> like<
• Um, and so I integrity and security.
• And so, as we've been looking across state government and how do we ensure program integrity and what

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee approved the March 3 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on state grant-management requirements. Deputy Legislative Auditor Katherine Tyson outlined the main controls agencies must follow, including pre-award risk assessments for grants of $50,000 or more, reimbursement as the preferred payment method, limits and documentation requirements for advance payments, and monitoring obligations for active grants. She emphasized that these controls are intended to reduce improper payments and fraud, but also require staff time and strong internal systems. In response to questions, she said advance payments are used in some grants but reimbursement is more common, and noted that agencies can add controls such as retaining a portion of funds, surprise visits, or audits. She also said surety bonds are required in some state programs, but not generally for grants, and that this could be a policy discussion for the executive branch. The committee then received a Department of Natural Resources presentation on the new Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund community grant program created in 2023 law. DNR officials said the program is intended to expand access to ENRTF funding, especially for communities affected by pollution and environmental degradation, and to support projects such as environmental education, resource restoration, trail work, and aquatic invasive species management. They said the department will use the same grants team that handles Outdoor Heritage Fund and LCCMR grants, which already manages a large volume of grants, and that the advisory council application is open through April 10. DNR described its implementation plan as similar to the Conservation Partners Legacy program, with both standard and expedited grant rounds, technical assistance, and use of technical experts. Differences include no match requirement, allowance for fiscal agents to help smaller organizations, and more flexibility for administrative expenses to reduce barriers to participation. Officials said the program will follow state grant rules, including pre-award financial reviews and monitoring, and will use the 5 percent administrative allowance to support both oversight and grantee assistance. They also said the report’s suggestion of advance payments for grants under $50,000 was raised for discussion, but they did not dispute the auditor’s emphasis that reimbursement is the preferred approach.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd also like to thank you for including provisions related to charter school and authorizer integrity
• I'd also like to thank you for including provisions related to charter school and authorizer integrity
• me, I'd also like to thank you for including provisions related to charter school and authorizer integrity
• me, I'd also like to thank you for including provisions related to charter school and authorizer integrity
• This continued partnership is critical to upholding program integrity and preventing fraud.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We realize that the case managers will be an integral part of this transition, and so we want to make
• We realize that the case managers will be an integral part of this transition, and so we want to make
• We realize that the case managers will be an integral part of this transition, and so we want to make
• We realize that the case managers will be an integral part of this transition, and so we want to make
• consistent with the Ada integration consistent with the Ada integration mandate<01:21:16.199>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You may or may not know the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity voted
• Just a few weeks ago, the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity voted unanimously
• Just a few weeks ago, the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality Integrity voted unanimously

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You may or may not know the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity voted
• Just a few weeks ago, the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity voted unanimously
• Just a few weeks ago, the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality Integrity voted unanimously

Summary: The House met in regular session, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior journal, and recognized several guests and personal privileges, including introductions of students and family members. The chamber also took up a motion to request the Senate return SB 1160 for reconsideration, and then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider measures on the calendar. In Committee of the Whole, members considered SB 1118, SB 1178, and SB 1419. SB 1118 received an appropriations committee amendment and a floor amendment related to balancing housing affordability with historic preservation, and was recommended do pass as amended. SB 1178, dealing with naturopathic medicine accreditation and scope issues, drew debate: supporters said it would protect patient access and provider supply by updating accreditation-related definitions, while opponents argued it expanded scope too far and sidestepped federal accreditation concerns; the bill was ultimately recommended do pass as amended. SB 1419, concerning solar energy devices and disclosure protections for residential, multifamily, commercial, and industrial units, was also amended and recommended do pass as amended. SB 1497 was retained on the calendar. The House then entered an additional Committee of the Whole for SB 1242 and SB 1270. SB 1242, which allows audio and audio-visual technology for mental health evaluations or treatment hearings, was amended to modify the definition of a mental health treatment agency and recommended do pass as amended. SB 1270 also received a floor amendment and was recommended do pass as amended. The House adopted the Committee of the Whole and additional Committee of the Whole reports, properly engrossing SB 1118, SB 1178, SB 1419, SB 1242, and SB 1270, while retaining SB 1497. On third reading, the House passed SB 1162, SB 1274, SB 1426, SB 1552, and SB 1814. SB 1814, which establishes a substance use disorder treatment standards and oversight study committee, drew remarks in support of a study committee to address fraud, waste, abuse, and treatment reform. The House also announced upcoming committee and caucus meetings and adjourned until 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• can be a very touchy, dicey issue for you to put in certain processes to keep that process with integrity
• But I think you will bring integrity to the office. ...and competence to the office and leadership to
• She has integrity 4. She's honest Very good. Thank you for that list.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Even with improved submission criteria, we lack a system that can integrate this intelligence with real-time
• There will also be a mandatory integrated.
• That'll be mandatory integrated into cybersecurity for state employees.

Transcript Highlights:

• treatment model and keep more integrated treatment model and keep more of<00:53:40.160> our<00
• Despite these losses, we continue to serve communities in Hilo, Oahu, and Maui with integrity and care
• in Hilo, Oahu, and Maui with integrity in Hilo, Oahu, and Maui with integrity and<01:05:47.039><
• Malo piha for your integration.
• integrations for Hawaii's immigrants<02:05:30.400> and<02:05:30.560> refugees.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: This joint informational briefing on Act 310 grants and aid focused on organizations describing how federal funding cuts, Medicaid/SNAP changes, and related policy shifts are affecting their services and budgets. Committee members explained there would be no Q&A, testimony would be limited to one minute, and in-person participants would be heard before Zoom callers. Members repeatedly asked testifiers to identify the amount of federal funding lost or at risk. Testimony came from a wide range of nonprofits and community providers, including Aloha Care, Hawaii Bicycling League, Hawaii Literacy, Hawaii Youth Symphony, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawaii, the Tsunami Museum, The Kohala Center, West Hawaii Community Health Center, West Hawaii Region Hospital Foundation, Sounding Joy Music Therapy, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii, Dynamic Community Solutions, Feeding Hawaii Together, Girl Scouts of Hawaii, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Hawaii Youth Services Network, Hawaiian Lending and Investments, Homana, Honolulu Theatre for the Youth, Kids Hurt Too Hawaii, and Kokua Kalihi Valley. Most described reduced or threatened federal support and requested state funding to maintain services such as health care access, food security, disaster preparedness, literacy and digital inclusion, youth mentoring, arts education, housing, and climate or agricultural resilience. Several speakers emphasized direct impacts on vulnerable populations, including kūpuna, low-income families, immigrants, homeless youth, and people with disabilities. Requests ranged from relatively small planning or program grants to multi-million-dollar stabilization asks, with some organizations citing specific losses such as reduced Medicaid or USDA funding, canceled EPA or FEMA support, or expiring federal grants. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• integrity of the procurement process. integrity of the procurement process.
• The Commonwealth procurement statutes and policies prioritize the integrity and transparency of every
• :44.960> of Commonwealth procurement principles of Commonwealth procurement principles of integrity
• , integrity, transparency, competition, and<01:13:47.040> stewardship<01:13:47.920> while
• and transparency of every integrity and transparency of every procurement<01:14:32.800> while

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• we need to protect the integrity we need to protect the integrity and<00:36:50.120> security<
• Members, we have an opportunity to protect the integrity of the body. This is forward-looking.
• Members, we have an opportunity to protect the integrity of the body. This is forward-looking.
• Members, we have an opportunity to protect the integrity of the body. This is forward-looking.
• This is about upholding the integrity of our building. It's about good governance.

Bills: HF3643, HF4470, HF4462, HF4366, HF4172, HF3629, HF4356, HF3093

Keywords: Melissa Hortman, Mark Hortman, memorial park, state park, working group, Minnesota Historical Society, Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, Saint Paul, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Administration, Legislative Coordinating Commission, general fund appropriation, park planning, interpretive services, public engagement, state memorial, land use, natural resources, commemorative legislation, HF4470

Transcript Highlights:

• It will also intentionally integrate the essential health skills standards such as analyzing influences
• It will also intentionally integrate the essential health skills standards such as analyzing influences
• It will also intentionally integrate the essential health skills standards such as analyzing influences
• That means no identified lead discipline, as well as integrates ethnic studies strand to support those
• those areas you good job at integrating those areas you just<01:25:36.560> mentioned<01:25:37.440

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• President, Senate Bill 154 is a bill that will enact measures to further strengthen the election integrity
• This bill ensures that the people that are eligible to vote can vote and it improves the integrity of
• improves the integrity of our elections. improves the integrity of our elections.
• <01:07:43.039> and<01:07:43.359> also verify the election integrity and also verify
• the election integrity and also not<01:07:43.920> disenfranchise<01:07:44.720> voters.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a roll call establishing a quorum of 35 members, and approval of the previous day’s journal. The chamber also received messages from the House that it had passed House Bills 43, 139, 297, 414, and 485 and requested concurrence. Second reading reports placed several bills in the Rules Committee, including measures on property disposition, children, school district sick leave, unemployment insurance, and status offenses, and a new resolution was introduced honoring the 10th anniversary of the 2016 session and its bullying-prevention legislation. The main floor action was on Senate Bill 39, relating to fishing in privately owned lakes and ponds. Senators debated multiple floor amendments, with several withdrawn and floor amendment 6 adopted. Supporters said the bill clarified private property rights and allowed stocking of F1 Florida bass without changing existing license requirements, while opponents and some supporters emphasized protecting the public trust, conservation funding, and the North American wildlife management model. After extended debate, the Senate passed SB 39 as amended by a vote of 29-8. The Senate then took up Senate Bill 154, relating to elections. The sponsor said it would strengthen election integrity by removing non-photo identification options, specifically Social Security cards and EBT SNAP cards, from the list of acceptable voter verification methods. Opponents argued the bill would make voting harder without evidence of fraud, citing that many Kentuckians used those IDs in the last election and that transportation and access barriers already exist. The transcript cuts off during debate on SB 154 before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• opportunity to make the New Hampshire medical marijuana program a national leader in how we have integrity
• And there's so many ways that we can build upon what we have already tried to start with integrity.
• in the program and how we have integrity in the program and how<00:30:58.159> we<00:30:58.399
• <00:31:07.200> Um<00:31:08.159> but tried to start with integrity.
• Um but tried to start with integrity.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As a number of people who might be here from the department know, I was in the program integrity fraud
• integrity for a long time uh in the integrity for a long time uh in the fraud<00:41:29.599> unit
• of the program and also, you integrity of the program and also, you know,<00:53:19.200> be<00
• , and I think that program integrity ensures that we have a fiscally sound program that is available
• , and I think that program integrity ensures that we have a fiscally sound program that is available

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our careers, education, and community-integrated practicum sites are endorsed by Century College.
• Our careers, education, and community-integrated practicum sites are endorsed by Century College.
• Institute on Community Integration, what Institute on Community Integration, what we<00:30:53.840>
• We all know that cultural seems very simple, but it's an integral part.
• <00:36:52.480> For simple but it's a integral part. For simple but it's a integral part.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This enables us to create an integrated early alert process system.
• We need to think about how to integrate ourselves within the various high school systems that you're
• These sorts of integrated approaches cannot be siloed because they don't create the synergy for student
• And so I think maybe for the first time we integrated a whole...
• What are ways we can integrate with that?

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We aim to build better schools by integrating the community in a web of learning and support for our
• These community schools are so key because they address the myriad barriers to learning, integrating
• In fact, it integrates with the other subject matter that is taught in our public schools.
• The adoption of these standards is integral to the education of students across the Commonwealth.
• They integrate into the inquiry learning process. They’re based on solid research.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education heard testimony on several bills centered on school accountability, receivership, graduation requirements, charter school access, community schools, school libraries, and student voting rights. Much of the discussion focused on the Thrive Act, S. 374, which would end state receivership and change the state’s accountability approach. Supporters, including educators, parents, advocacy groups, and students, argued that receivership has not improved outcomes in districts such as Lawrence, Holyoke, Southbridge, Boston, and the Dever, and that local communities should have more control, with greater emphasis on community schools, wraparound services, and broader measures of school quality. They also supported related bills on community schools and school library standards, and several witnesses backed a bill to expand student representative voting rights on school committees. Opponents of S. 374, especially charter school leaders, parents, students, and some education advocates, focused on Section 4 of the bill, which would change the charter school net school spending cap in the lowest-performing districts. They argued that the provision would reduce access to charter seats in communities where families are seeking more options, and that schools such as Roxbury Prep, Excel Academy, Brook, Veritas Prep, and Libertas Academy have produced strong results for students, including students of color, low-income students, and students with special needs. Several witnesses said the section would force schools to shrink or close and would remove opportunities for families in districts with long waitlists. Committee members questioned witnesses on both the effectiveness of receivership and the charter school cap language. Chair Lewis and Chair Gordon emphasized the need for a better accountability system and noted concerns about whether current measures, including MCAS-based designations, accurately reflect school quality. Some witnesses said they had discussed the possibility of removing Section 4 from the Thrive Act and suggested it might be addressed in separate charter reform legislation. No votes were taken during the hearing; testimony was received and the committee later closed testimony on S. 374 and several related bills before moving on to the student voting rights bill, S. 367.