Transcript Highlights:

• Was it sixth-grade or fourth-grade level?
• I think we came up with sixth-grade level, but that would be accurate.
• I think we came up with sixth-grade level, but that would be accurate.
• As far as the sixth-grade reading level, we attempted that.
• Does this work at all in conjunction with that, or is this a completely separate program?

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 2265, which would provide the Fargo National Cemetery with up to a $3 million line of credit to help fund improvements such as indoor bathrooms, parking, a family gathering area, an office, a hearse garage, and a veterans gallery. Supporters said the cemetery has expanded rapidly since 2019, has already conducted about 1,000 burials, and needs better facilities for families and the Honor Guard; they also said the project would be subject to federal VA approval and, once completed, would be taken over by the VA. Members raised questions about the project’s cost, timing, funding sources, whether the bill should be a grant instead of a line of credit, and whether a chapel should be specifically included. No vote was taken on SB 2265 during the excerpt. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2230, which would have the Secretary of State mail active voters a guide on ballot measures at least 45 days before an election, with objective summaries, fiscal impacts, and arguments for and against each measure. Secretary of State Michael Howe said the office already receives many questions about ballot measures and would post the same information online and at polling places, while emphasizing the need to keep the material objective and consistent with election-law restrictions. Members generally supported the idea as a voter-education tool, and the committee adopted a due pass motion on SB 2230 by a 19-0 vote. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2256, which would provide one-time state support for the NDSU Research and Technology Park in Fargo to expand its role in commercialization, robotics, precision agriculture, and defense-related technology. Park CEO Brenda Weiland explained that the park is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit spun out of NDSU, governed by a board with both university and industry representation, and that the new model is intended to bridge the gap between research and market-ready products without competing directly with private industry. Members asked about ownership, intellectual property, the planned partnership with Carnegie Mellon’s robotics center, and how the park would use the funding; the discussion focused on contracts, licensing, and the park’s intent to build technical capacity and attract companies. The excerpt ends before any vote on SB 2256.

Transcript Highlights:

• one through six and then provide arts courses to higher grades, specifically for high school.
• Pre-Prop 28, only 11% of schools were offering all four disciplines in grades K through 6.
• And that was third grade of 34. The grade level that I was really interested in.
• And that was third grade. Third and fourth grade is my favorite level.
• I was preparing so much for that third grade class.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism and the Assembly Education Committee held a joint informational hearing on implementation of Proposition 28, the 2022 voter-approved arts education funding measure. Chairs emphasized the goal of understanding how the roughly $900 million to nearly $1.1 billion annual funding stream is being used, whether it is supplementing rather than supplanting existing arts programs, and what reporting or guidance improvements may be needed. The Legislative Analyst’s Office reviewed the basic structure of Prop 28: funds are distributed 70% by enrollment and 30% by low-income student counts, 80% must generally be spent on staffing, districts may use up to 1% for administration, and annual local reports and audits are required. Members pressed the LAO on waivers, spending timelines, and whether smaller or rural districts face different challenges; the LAO said some waivers have been issued and that districts have three years to spend each allocation, but statewide data remain limited. WestEd, Create California, and the California County Superintendents described early implementation findings and concerns. Their testimony said schools are using funds for arts materials, staffing, expanded instruction, and field trips, and that many respondents saw positive effects on student access and engagement. At the same time, they reported confusion about allowable uses, supplement-versus-supplant rules, and the 80/20 staffing requirement, along with shortages of credentialed arts teachers and uneven access across districts. Create California argued that Prop 28 has generated optimism but also uncertainty, especially for community arts organizations that have seen reduced contracts as districts bring services in-house. County superintendents and researchers called for clearer statutory guidance, stronger technical assistance, better statewide data, and more support for teacher credentialing pathways. District and county officials then described local implementation. Long Beach Unified said it moved quickly to full implementation, using Prop 28 to expand elementary and secondary arts offerings, hire 56 certificated staff and more than 120 classified coaches, and develop a five-year arts strategic plan tied to equity goals. Butte County and other rural representatives said Prop 28 has enabled restored or expanded programs, including arts teachers, theater, and music offerings, but rural districts still struggle to recruit credentialed staff and to make small allocations workable across large distances. The California Music Educators Association echoed those themes, saying members report both new positions and supplies as well as confusion, fear of audit findings, and inconsistent district guidance. Committee members asked about arts definitions, credentialing, rural pooling of funds, and out-of-state teacher credentials; witnesses said media arts are included, multiple credential pathways exist, and recent legislation has eased some out-of-state credential barriers. The hearing ended with public comment beginning after the panel discussions.

Transcript Highlights:

• To me, Madam Speaker, what separates education from other topics is that it deals with that thing that
• To me, Madam Speaker, what separates education from other topics is that it deals with that thing that
• To me, Madam Speaker, what separates education from other topics is that it deals with that thing that
• To me, Madam Speaker, what separates education from other topics is that it deals with that thing that
• </c><00:26:26.159><c> teacher</c> program coordinator first grade teacher program coordinator first grade

Transcript Highlights:

• I was a teacher, mostly elementary school, mostly first grade, for 33 years. Loved it.
• I was a teacher, mostly elementary school, mostly first grade, for 33 years. Loved it.
• for 33 years loved it kind first grade for 33 years loved it kind of<00:04:00.200><c> got</c><00:04:
• I think this is the only subject area where there's still separate policy and finance, but especially
• There's kindergarten through grade 12 programming as well as transitions programming.

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• You were saying that different grades and paying things like that, or did you say that that $119,000
• How do we separate that so that we're actually addressing those for whom special ed was intended?
• And so my mom went to teachers in the first grade and said, can Linda come to your class?
• My specialty is in an autism unit through grades, through kindergarten through first.
• You know, we're at 25 students in second and third grade right now.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> separate issue from the original bill. separate issue from the original bill.
• are graded as SPFs.
• </c> graded as SPFs. graded as SPFs.
• They have a separate stamping grade for that. So it doesn't bring their average down.
• They have a separate stamping<05:25:56.878><c> grade</c><05:25:57.200><c> for</c><05:25:57.360><c> that

Committee: House Resources, Recreation and Development

Summary: The committee first took up HB 163FN, dealing with requiring current, verifiable evidence of a species’ presence before land-use restrictions are imposed for habitat protection. Members discussed an amendment that had been worked on with agencies and stakeholder groups. Fish and Game testified that, while the amendment improved the bill, the agency still opposed it because of concerns about citizen science, how the proposal would apply to public versus private property, and how the transition to DES would work. Representative Darby argued the amendment was ambiguous, lacked a full hearing, and did not clearly address record verification or private-property access issues. The amendment passed 8-7, and the committee then voted OTPA 8-7, with a minority report noted. The committee then moved to HB 1752FN, which would create a chain of custody for timber and carbon credits. Representative Davis presented an amendment saying it would help law enforcement investigate timber theft and add transparency to New Hampshire’s carbon registry by identifying buyers of carbon credits. Supporters said the change would impose little burden and align with practices in other states. Opponents, including Representative Darby, Representative Vale, and the state forester from DNCR, said the carbon market is complex, the amendment was not fully vetted, and a hearing with all stakeholders was needed; they also raised fiscal-note concerns. The amendment passed 8-7, and the committee then voted OTPA 8-7, again with a minority report. Finally, the committee opened a hearing on HB 1019, which would add an active water treatment professional to the state water well board. Representative Peter Petrino and Representative Wendy Thomas said the board should include expertise on contamination risks and treatment technologies, citing concerns about arsenic, radon, and PFAS in private wells. The chairman of the Water Well Board testified in opposition to the bill as drafted, saying the board supports the general idea of licensing water filtration work but does not currently have authority or rules to oversee that field and believes the proposal would put “the cart before the horse.” Members questioned whether the board’s current mandate even covers filtration systems, and the discussion ended with those concerns unresolved.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe in separation. I believe in equity, equality, and inclusion. I believe in red flag laws.
• I believe in separation of church and state.
• And I don't believe, let me be clear, in the separation of church and state, because it is not a law.
• And the separation in the conversation was meant to keep the state out of the church, not the church
• level for students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

Committee: House Education & Employment Committee

Summary: The committee first took up CS for CS for HB 1471, which would bar Florida courts from enforcing foreign or religious law that conflicts with the U.S. or Florida Constitution, create a process for designating domestic terrorist organizations, and prohibit public funds from supporting such organizations. The sponsor said the bill protects constitutional supremacy, due process, and taxpayer dollars, while opponents argued it was vague, targeted religion, and could be used to suppress dissent and protected speech. Members debated whether a conviction was required, who would make designations, and what consequences would follow; an amendment changing student expulsion language from “may” to “shall” was adopted. After extensive public testimony both for and against, the bill passed 16-4 and was reported favorably with amendment. The committee then heard CS for CS for HB 1071, an education bill covering parental opt-outs for certain health instruction, required instruction on embryology, fetal development, and HIV/AIDS, math plan requirements, student-led organizations, epinephrine access, instructional material review, safe-school officer options, and chronic absenteeism reporting. The sponsor framed it as a parental rights, academics, accountability, and safety measure, while opponents said parts of the bill would restrict sex education, chill student organizations, and undermine DEI-related activities and LGBTQ student groups. Several amendments were offered by the ranking member to remove or soften the provisions restricting funding for DEI and social/political activism, but those amendments failed. The committee adopted a Trabulsy amendment requiring districts to publicize virtual instruction options, and another amendment clarifying reading-coach language and safe-school officer options, as well as an amendment giving publishers an appeals process if removed for noncompliant materials. A final Trabulsy amendment requiring annual reporting of chronic absenteeism by grade level was also adopted. Public testimony on the bill remained sharply divided, with supporters emphasizing embryology, parental rights, and school safety, and opponents warning about censorship, reduced reproductive health education, and harm to student expression. The transcript ends during continued public testimony on HB 1071, before final committee action on the bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• levees, including the state and federal water supply projects and all the highways and the river railroads
• Today, these projects are often planned separately, leading to a disjointed effect and missed opportunities
• Today, these projects are often planned separately, leading to a disjointed effect and missed opportunities

Committee: House Water, Parks, and Wildlife

Transcript Highlights:

• Transporters of railroad workers, and I'm sure you all know car sharing called Turo—they're an app that
• And I agree with you that common carriers maybe should be addressed on a separate individual basis, because
• fine is established by a For all violations in the calendar year, unless a fine is established by a separate

Committee: House Insurance

Summary: The committee first took up HB 774, which would extend required hearing-aid coverage for certain individuals up to age 26. Representative Boyer said the bill helps young adults maintain access to hearing aids during school and early work years. The Louisiana Academy of Audiology supported the measure, and the committee adopted technical amendments and reported the bill favorably as amended. The committee then heard extensive testimony on HB 702, which would require transportation network companies to provide uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Representative Landry and supporters argued that current law and court rulings have left injured drivers and passengers without meaningful coverage in some cases, especially for riders who do not own cars and therefore lack personal UM coverage. Insurance agents and legal witnesses said they cannot currently find a product to cover the driver in certain ride-share phases, while Uber representatives opposed the bill, warning it would raise fares and noting that drivers already have optional occupational accident coverage and that passengers’ own UM coverage would generally apply. After debate over costs, coverage gaps, and whether the issue should instead be studied further, the committee voted to voluntarily defer the bill. The committee next considered HB 477, as substituted, which would require coverage for prosthetic and custom orthotic devices and associated services. Representative Ebert and witnesses described the bill as a modernization of existing coverage rules so people with limb loss can obtain more than one medically necessary device, including activity-specific prosthetics. Testimony from amputees and a physical therapist emphasized the impact on mobility, work, sports, and quality of life. The committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably by substitute. The committee also reported HB 76, which updates oral anti-cancer medication parity rules, by adopting amendments that clarify applicability and exempt certain limited-benefit and ERISA self-funded plans. HB 903, which increases the commissioner of insurance’s fine authority, was amended to set higher aggregate caps and then reported favorably. Finally, HB 291, which would prohibit health plans from penalizing hospitals when a member of the care team is out of network, drew support from the sponsor and the Louisiana Hospital Association as a preventative measure against insurer pressure tactics; Louisiana Blue opposed it, citing cost concerns and questioning the need for the bill. The transcript ends during that bill’s hearing, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• pattern, the way it was laid out, was planned by Theodore Judah, the engineer for the transcontinental railroad
• pattern, the way it was laid out, was planned by Theodore Judah, the engineer for the transcontinental railroad

Summary: The committee heard eight bills, mostly on local government, housing, and public agency contracting. AB 1658 would make permanent higher change-order authority for Santa Clara and Los Angeles counties on large construction projects; supporters said it would reduce delays and save money on major projects, and the bill passed 6-0. AB 2263 would authorize the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority to develop employee-preference affordable housing; supporters said it would help with workforce retention and long commutes, and it also passed 6-0. AB 2134 would require city councils to allow parental leave without forcing members to seek public approval or risk losing their seats; supporters described the bill as necessary to protect new parents in local office, and it passed 6-0. AB 2188 would raise Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District’s contracting authority to $250,000, with supporters citing administrative savings and faster project delivery; after committee amendments, it passed 6-0. AB 2033 would let general law cities use job order contracting for repair and maintenance work, with safeguards against employee displacement; supporters called it an efficiency tool, while AFSCME opposed it over workforce impacts, and it passed 8-0 after amendments. AB 1768 would authorize Los Angeles County and Contra Costa County to ask voters to approve a temporary transactions and use tax to help offset major federal health care cuts and preserve clinics and public health services. Supporters from community clinics, Planned Parenthood, labor groups, counties, and health organizations said the measure would let voters decide how to respond to funding losses; opponents, including CalTax and some cities, raised affordability and tax-burden concerns. Members also discussed equity concerns within Los Angeles County and the importance of local control. The bill was moved out on a 5-2 vote and left on call. AB 2415 would allow the city of Folsom to shift housing obligations away from its historic district and toward other transit-oriented sites; supporters said it would preserve the historic district while still meeting housing goals, and it passed 10-0. AB 2741, heard at the end of the meeting, would give cities a grace period to fix housing elements that were certified by HCD but later found noncompliant by a court, especially where cities relied on overlay zones. Supporters from the League of California Cities, Redondo Beach, and real estate groups said cities acted in good faith and should not be immediately subjected to builder’s remedy; opponents from California YIMBY and legal aid groups argued the bill would weaken housing accountability and reward noncompliance. The transcript ends during testimony on AB 2741, before a final vote is recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sections 14 and 15 relate to the short line railroad modernization infrastructure credit, and that contains
• relate to the Uh sections 14 and 15 relate to the short<00:07:04.960><c> line</c><00:07:05.440><c> railroad

Bills: HF9

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• My comment is this nation was founded on a separation of church and state.
• challenge anyone on this committee to show me where it says in our founding documents there's a separation
• We have to be able to, in those early grades, it's not, look, we want you to use AI.
• Remember, critical thinking skills are based off of seventh grade math skills.
• Thank you. skills are based off of seventh grade math skills.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• This was the last, I think this was a third or fourth grade testing period.
• Introduce yourself and maybe what grade level you're in or what school.
• My name is Jaden Stetson, and I'm in 9th grade. I go to a school where I don't know my clan.
• I'm in 9th grade, and I'm going to Maya Mura. I'm going to be a junior at Wingate High School.
• I go to 9th grade and I'm in Miami. My name is Alani Yahtzee.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the entire eighth grade.
• It's the entire<00:07:06.240><c> eighth</c><00:07:06.639><c> grade.
• Um this is going to entire eighth grade.
• </c><03:55:59.359><c> grade</c><03:55:59.439><c> grade</c><03:55:59.680><c> and</c><03:56:00.000><c>
• </c> the grade grade grade and size provided. the grade grade grade and size provided.

Committee: House Resources, Recreation and Development

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:35:40.119><c> website</c><00:35:40.880><c> same</c> through a separate website same through a
• separate website same information<00:35:41.640><c> just</c><00:35:41.800><c> gets</c><00:35:42.000><
• Immediate separation is sometimes necessary to restore school safety and allow for healing.
• </c><01:07:42.520><c> 9</c> approximately 1645 students in grades 9 approximately 1645 students in grades
• We’re not grading schools.

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Six school days for pupils in first and second grade.
• For grades one and two, that would... ...for grades one and two, that would lower to a 45-day mark.
• For grades one and two, that would, until that 91st day mark for grades one and two that would lower
• We know that that's when kids really have to learn to read by the end of the first grade.
• I won't tell you how many decades ago, and I taught reading in second grade and fourth grade.

Summary: The hearing was a joint budget discussion focused first on California preschool and child care, then on universal transitional kindergarten (TK), with later movement toward a reading-difficulties screener item. Members emphasized the need for a coordinated early childhood system that better serves families’ real schedules and needs, rather than forcing families to fit existing program structures. The preschool panel reviewed access, quality, workforce, facilities, and information systems, with repeated concern about whether current funding and program design are sufficient for infants, toddlers, three-year-olds, and full-day/full-year care. Witnesses from the Learning Policy Institute, CDSS, CDE, and community providers described major growth in preschool and child care enrollment, especially for two- and three-year-olds, but also noted persistent gaps, waitlists, workforce shortages, low reimbursement rates, and the need for more stable funding. Several witnesses urged expansion or permanence of two-year-old eligibility in CSPP, more support for mixed-delivery systems, facility conversion and renovation grants, better statewide enrollment and referral systems, and continued funding for one-time grants such as UPK coordinators and planning/implementation supports. Provider and parent testimony stressed that rate reform, enrollment-based reimbursement, and continued hold-harmless protections are needed to keep programs open and accessible. The TK panel reviewed the Governor’s budget proposal for full implementation of universal TK, including Proposition 98 funding for expansion and lower adult-to-child ratios, plus a multilingual learner screening implementation budget change proposal. LPI and CDE reported that TK enrollment has grown rapidly but uptake is now a little over half of eligible four-year-olds, with families citing lack of awareness, preference for other care, and logistical barriers such as location and hours. CDE and providers said the UPK planning and implementation grant, mixed-delivery planning grants, and UPK coordinators have been critical, but these one-time funds are set to sunset. Members pressed for more information on eligible population projections, full-day/full-year demand, teacher credential data, and how administrative credential programs are preparing leaders for early childhood settings. The committee held the issues open and requested follow-up data from the departments.

Transcript Highlights:

• School Commission must exercise their authority to operate independently and make provisions for separate
• planning needs and ensure an effective and efficient transition to operational independence with separate
• And maybe you could share separately. But compared to, does every state...
• There's not actually a separation between evaluation timelines and eligibility meetings.
• Nobody ever really understood why I got bad grades or asked why I didn't show up for school.

Bills: HB1662 , HB1683 , HB2534 , HB2557 , HB2594

Committee: House Education

Keywords: education agencies, administrative independence, superintendent, education reform, agency authority, education, school boards, district adjustments, administrative boundaries, educational governance, military families, child stability, transitional schooling, support services, special education, parental rights, educational access, evaluation reports, disability services, unhoused

Transcript Highlights:

• The Family Empowerment Empowerment Scholarship as a separate state funded categorical within the fefp
• The bill also clarifies a conflict between 2 statutes regarding how school grades are calculated for
• Chair the amendment incorporates feedback from staff to clarify how school grades are calculated by Deo
• Specifically the bill funds, the Family Empowerment Scholarship program as a separate category cause.
• I love the vice chair's separated from me. We're in the U.S. I love this committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that is very first-grade coded for not accepted.
• There are four fourth-grade students from St. Wenceslaus and from Dodge, Nebraska.
• That's a separate section. This is under the emergency response.
• So that is a separate section that is not in this section.
• In this country, we helped people around the globe who were once separated...

Bills: LR509 , LR510 , LR511

Transcript Highlights:

• You got to visit with the kids from kindergarten through sixth grade.
• the kids from kindergarten<00:04:03.960><c> through</c><00:04:04.320><c> sixth</c><00:04:04.680><c> grade
• </c> kindergarten through sixth grade. kindergarten through sixth grade.
• So they can be dual, but fire usually have their separate ones just because in case a key would go missing
• So this would probably, my understanding, be separate for law enforcement, that they can put in the rear