Transcript Highlights:

• those policies clearly.
• I believe that would be in the policy, you know, as far as the institution's policy to enact what, and
• I believe that would be in the policy, you know, as far as the institution's policy to enact what, and
• To know and understand the policy that's in place.
• It's not just a bad policy, it's a bad law.

Summary: The Senate Education K-16 Committee heard several bills before recessing to the floor, with most measures left pending subject to the call of the chair. SB 2986 would allow public schools and universities to permit after-hours facility use by religious groups on the same terms as other nonprofits, and SB 1032 would open the Governor’s University Research Initiative to private and independent universities; both had committee substitutes adopted and were left pending after brief testimony. Supporters of SB 1032 from Rice and Baylor said the change would help Texas recruit top researchers and strengthen the state’s research economy. The committee also heard SB 2058, which would require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to publish annual data on nursing clinical training sites to improve placement coordination, and SB 2683, which would bar public colleges from giving benefits or recognition to student organizations that receive support from foreign entities of concern; both were left pending after testimony. A large portion of the meeting focused on SB 2233, which would require public institutions of higher education to adopt policies prohibiting students or employees on nonimmigrant visas from publicly supporting terrorist activity or organizations, with enforcement through investigations, reporting to Homeland Security, and possible Attorney General action and fines. The author said the bill was intended to reinforce existing federal definitions and campus safety, while senators questioned the bill’s scope, the definition of terrorist activity, and the clause tied to U.S. policy or practice. Public witnesses, including civil rights advocates, law students, and others, argued the bill was vague, overbroad, unconstitutional, and likely to chill protected speech and increase surveillance of international students and Black and brown communities; several Jewish witnesses also said the bill misused Jewish safety concerns and could be used for viewpoint discrimination. SB 2233 was left pending after public testimony. The committee then took up SB 735, which builds on prior Holocaust education legislation by funding optional age-appropriate and bilingual curriculum, museum field trips, teacher preparation partnerships, annual reporting, and regional collaboration with Holocaust museums and education service centers. The author and invited witnesses said the bill responds to survey findings showing uneven Holocaust instruction and a need for better teacher training and accountability. A fifth-grade teacher and the director of the Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio testified in support, emphasizing the need for accurate, age-appropriate instruction and professional development. The committee recessed before finishing the agenda, and SB 735 was set to resume after the floor session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is Wyoming policy makers cannot control federal policy.
• The first is Wyoming policy makers cannot control federal policy.
• The first is Wyoming policy makers cannot control federal policy.
• federal policies that um we had policies federal policies that encourage<01:13:13.440> the<01
• discriminatory tax policy. discriminatory tax policy.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are education policy coalition.
• to be able to bring good policy to be able to bring good policy recommendations<00:58:04.640>
• And while our policy is flawed, our district ultimately adopted a K through 2 bell-to-bell policy and
• to on our our uh so cell phone policies. to on our our uh so cell phone policies.
• <02:02:43.520> This adopt a cell phone policy. This adopt a cell phone policy.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and his descent in energy policy and his descent in energy policy Advocates<00:03:39.519> uh<
• violate state law energy policy violate state law energy policy Advocates<00:20:28.280> argue
• as related to internal policies and administrative-type policies, but there's not a clear statement
• as related to internal policies and administrative-type policies, but there's not a clear statement
• <00:29:30.120> matters files and dealing with policy matters files and dealing with policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not an added policy. There are few public schools that do not have policies.
• curation of and development of policies curation of and development of policies at<01:12:48.080>
• This is not an added policy.
• Education shall develop a model policy Education shall develop a model policy have<01:14:03.360>
• them they do not have a model policy them they do not have a model policy that<01:14:09.360>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We utilize this model for two policy campaigns: No Minor Sale and 24-7.
• ... ...tobacco policy, we still have a lot of work to do in order to make sure these policies are adopted
• They have to implement all the policies.
• Okay, they do have that policy adopted?
• Oh, thank you for the 24-7 school policy at Las Cruces public schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• What's the policy? Like no hatred type of...
• So I didn't know this was a policy. Maybe I'll push you both together into the policy completely.
• I clearly have to learn more about the actual resisting policy.
• It does not require that we make that policy here in this room.
• policy, and it turns out to be a disaster.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Codes met in a different room due to scheduling conflicts and considered a series of bills, mostly criminal procedure, penal law, civil rights, and executive law measures. Several bills had previously passed the Senate unanimously and were quickly moved through committee, including measures sponsored by Senators Harkham, Scootis, Bernardis, Scarsella Spanton, Conrad, Ryan, Jimenez, and others. The committee also considered Senate Print 1004A by Senator Brisport, which would amend the Criminal Procedure Law and Mental Hygiene Law to address prolonged detention of incapacitated individuals; Senator Palumbo supported the bill’s intent but objected to the mechanism, and the bill was reported to finance with Palumbo in the negative and Gallivan without recommendation. Senator Bailey’s Senate Print 4525, focused on language access in criminal procedure, drew supportive comments about ensuring non-English speakers are not denied justice, but it was reported with Senator Kavanagh without recommendation and Senators Murray and Palumbo in the negative. The committee also advanced Senate Print 5110A by Senator Scarcella Spanton, which would increase protections for HPD inspectors by making assaults on them a low-level felony; members expressed concern about increasing penalties but agreed the bill had merit, and it was reported with Kavanagh without recommendation and Brisport and Sepúlveda in the negative. The most extended discussion centered on Senate Print 3021C by Senator Hinchy, which would require a uniform tattoo policy for state and local law enforcement. Members debated First Amendment concerns, subjectivity in determining what is “offensive,” and whether the bill should set clearer guardrails or simply require agencies to adopt a policy. Supporters said the bill aimed to create statewide consistency and reflect changing norms around tattoos, while critics worried about subjective enforcement and potential constitutional issues. The bill was moved by Senator Myrie and reported, with Senators Sepúlveda and Brisport without recommendation. The meeting then adjourned after the chair thanked members for the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• responded that they had adopted a policy responded that they had adopted a policy of<00:03:13.680
• , board's institutional neutrality policy, board's institutional neutrality policy, which<00:04:44.800
• undergone<00:14:46.880> a All KSU policies have undergone a All KSU policies have undergone
• amended non-discrimination policy was amended non-discrimination policy was amended back<00:15:10.480
• Our revised gift policy language.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Budget Review Subcommittee on Education met to hear updates from Kentucky public universities and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System on compliance with House Bill 4, which restricts DEI-related activities and requires institutional and viewpoint neutrality. The chair emphasized that the hearing should focus on both compliance and the financial effects of the law. Eastern Kentucky University said its board adopted a House Bill 4 compliance resolution and an institutional neutrality policy. KCTCS reported systemwide reviews of programs, websites, scholarships, personnel, and admissions language, along with board actions removing a cultural competency course requirement, adopting institutional neutrality, and certifying compliance. KCTCS said about $2.5 million annually had been reallocated to other needs, and that no personnel were eliminated, though some roles were reassigned and DEI-related offices closed. Kentucky State University said it had already dissolved DEI offices before the bill passed, ended DEI-specific training, revised policies and gift acceptance rules, adopted a viewpoint neutrality policy, and was conducting ongoing reviews of programs, job descriptions, and web content. KSU said it had achieved substantial compliance, expected full operational integration by August 1, and had not terminated staff or closed academic programs because of the law. In response to questions, KSU said it was broadening outreach to all students rather than targeting specific populations and that its prior diversity finding was tied to not meeting a diversity quota. Morehead State University said it had no DEI office before House Bill 4, amended its non-discrimination statement to include political and social viewpoint neutrality and condemnation of religious and ethnic discrimination, and remained focused on serving its largely low-income student body. Murray State University reported reviewing scholarships, expenditures, training, and academic programs to ensure no differential treatment or indoctrination, revising its neutrality policy, and updating non-discrimination posters and training. When asked about a statement that DEI would “look different,” the university said it meant student support services would continue in a different form. Northern Kentucky University said it dissolved its diversity office and chief diversity officer position in 2024, reviewed programs, events, scholarships, and employee affinity groups, adopted a statement on intellectual diversity and viewpoint neutrality, and reviewed about 2,000 courses for compliance. NKU also said its new Center for Belonging would focus on first-generation and commuter students rather than rebrand prior DEI efforts. The University of Kentucky began its presentation by describing earlier changes made in August 2024, including disbanding its office of institutional diversity, removing diversity statements and mandatory training, adopting institutional neutrality, and ending race-based consideration in admissions and scholarships; the transcript cuts off before the rest of UK’s testimony and any committee votes or formal actions beyond receiving the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• state law to be an insurance policy.
• being sold in the state and would be a North Dakota policy.
• You know, which side do you want the policy in?
• So then you would write a North Dakota policy, and that policy is then the one that we would, that the
• Yeah, the agent would know if he wrote you a North Dakota policy or a South Dakota policy.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The conference committee on Senate Bill 2374 discussed proposed amendments to the insurance rebating provisions and a new study on towing and recovery issues. Deputy Insurance Commissioner John Arnold explained that, after working with industry representatives, the compromise was to remove the large commercial rebating exemption language and keep the rest of the bill intact, while also clarifying that federal crop insurance remains subject to the state’s rebating laws. Members asked several questions about how the large commercial risk definition would work, how the rules would apply to nonresident producers and border-area farm policies, and whether the changes would affect long-standing industry practices. The committee also considered Commissioner Godfrey’s request for a study on who pays to remove vehicles from the roadside when the owner has liability-only coverage, especially in cases involving totaled or abandoned vehicles. Arnold said the issue has been raised by Highway Patrol and towing interests and that the study language was intended to examine possible solutions for the next legislative session. Some members expressed concern about shifting costs to the insurance industry, but others supported the study as a way to gain clarity. The committee adopted the amendment package, including the towing study language, by a 6-0 roll call vote. It then passed Senate Bill 2374 as amended by another 6-0 vote. The committee noted that the bill would need floor carriers on both chambers, with Representative Johnson and Senator Klein indicating they would carry it.

Transcript Highlights:

• IT IS AN EMERGING TECHNOLOGY POLICY.
• I WANT TO TALK ABOUT POLICY. POLICY IS SOMETHING THAT IS EQUALLY AS IMPORTANT.
• ONE OF THE POLICIES WE HAVE DONE IS AI. FSU.
• WE HAVE BEEN VERY INTENTIONAL ABOUT NOT MAKING OUR ACADEMIC POLICY OR DISHONEST POLICY ABOUT AI.
• SO POLICY IS IN PLACE. WE DID MATCH OUR AI POLICY TO OUR STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT.

Transcript Highlights:

• submit underwriting guidelines, policy submit underwriting guidelines, policy forms,<00:05:07.520
• um just unaffordable policies? um just unaffordable policies?
• insurance policy. insurance policy.
• first policy was written in early 1992. first policy was written in early 1992.
• policy system, that will lower the cost. policy system, that will lower the cost.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• move that House File 2354, the second engrossment, be re-referred to the Human Services Finance and Policy
• I will move that House File 1672 be re-referred back to the Commerce, Finance, and Policy Committee.
• Now, I would actually note here that I do think that's a policy choice.
• The motion here is that House File 2743 be re-referred to the Education Policy Committee.
• We are carrying this as part of our comprehensive education policy bill.

Bills: HF2354, HF1672, HF2389, HF2870, HF2743, HF1918, HF2551, HF1671

Keywords: medical assistance, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, medical cannabis, medical marijuana, cannabis, cannabinoids, hemp, marijuana registry, patient registry, visiting patient, Tribal cannabis, Tribal medical cannabis program, Tribal sovereignty, Office of Cannabis Management, designated caregiver, home cultivation, adult-use cannabis

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul and are unable to vote on tariff policy. We're unable to set monetary policy.
• Paul and are unable to vote on tariff policy. We're unable to set monetary policy.
• Paul and are unable to vote on tariff policy. We're unable to set monetary policy.
• Paul and are unable to vote on tariff policy. We're unable to set monetary policy.
• and when we make these policy decisions. and when we make these policy decisions.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• some minimum policies.
• some minimum policies.
• some minimum policies.
• some minimum policies.
• some minimum policies.

Bills: HF962, HF3541, HF2936, HF3762, HF2879

Keywords: Capitol security, public safety, emergency management, state buildings, law enforcement, corrections, legislative approval, rule-making, financial impact, jail regulations, expungement, firearm eligibility, criminal records, organized retail crime, retail theft, supply chain theft, theft enterprise, organized theft, cargo theft, shoplifting

Transcript Highlights:

• And there was even a question of an old policy versus a new policy.
• And there was even a question of an old policy versus a new policy.
• policy policy measures<01:03:25.079> last<01:03:25.319> week<01:03:25.520> we<01
• c><01:13:01.000> they've<01:13:01.199> got policy and in that policy they've got policy
• <01:40:14.480> for policies um and not only policies for policies um and not only policies

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:20:58.600> IES as a resource on them these policy IES as a resource on them these policy
• site and as a final example policy site and as a final example policy required<00:23:14.840>
• some adhawk training on these policies some adhawk training on these policies it<00:26:08.679>
• of oversight that's outlined in policies of oversight that's outlined in policies to<00:45:07.599
• <01:15:48.199> and management to um enforce policy and management to um enforce policy and

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee held its first meeting on February 10, 2025, with member and staff introductions and opening remarks from Chair Kristin Robbins about the committee’s bipartisan mission to address state fraud and improve oversight of executive branch spending. Robbins said the committee would focus on both legislation and informational oversight hearings, likely in coordination with standing policy committees, and emphasized concerns about reported fraud in state government and the need to prevent waste before it occurs. Members from both parties generally expressed support for the committee’s work and interest in learning more about the issues. The sole agenda item was a presentation from the Legislative Auditor on the 2023 report, “Oversight of State-Funded Grants to Nonprofit Organizations.” Legislative Auditor Judy Randall and Deputy Legislative Auditor Jodi Munson Rodriguez explained that the report reviewed how comprehensive Minnesota’s grants management policies are and how well agencies follow them. They said the policies cover the grant lifecycle but often lack detail, and the office found widespread noncompliance in recent years. The presentation included examples such as limited standards for progress reports, flexible monitoring requirements, and no required timeline for closeout reviews. The auditors also noted that state agencies spent an average of about $514 million annually on nonprofit grants from fiscal years 2018 through 2022, with about 2,400 nonprofit organizations receiving grants. The auditors said several factors contribute to compliance problems, including inconsistent funding for grants management, limited training, and uneven use of electronic grants systems. They also noted that statutes gave little authority to enforce compliance. Since the report was released, the Department of Administration has taken some steps, including changes to pre-award financial review policies and a timeline for closeout reviews, but the auditors said other recommendations remain only partially implemented. No votes were taken and no bills were acted on at this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is regarding the state's telework policy.
• We do think this would be a policy decision.
• a statewide telework policy and then every individual department has to have its own policy of how they
• We see you and also want to say that you know the telework policy the statewide telework policy was designed
• Yet those same policies are impacting his own workforce.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• re-referred to the Education Policy re-referred to the Education Policy Committee.
• Thank you. education policy um comprehensive bill. education policy um comprehensive bill.
• the governor's education policy bill. the governor's education policy bill.
• Families, Finance, and Policy Committee. Families, Finance, and Policy Committee.
• Finance, and Policy Finance, and Policy Committee.

Bills: HF2354, HF1672, HF2389, HF2870, HF2743, HF1918, HF2551, HF1671

Keywords: medical assistance, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, medical cannabis, medical marijuana, cannabis, cannabinoids, hemp, marijuana registry, patient registry, visiting patient, Tribal cannabis, Tribal medical cannabis program, Tribal sovereignty, Office of Cannabis Management, designated caregiver, home cultivation, adult-use cannabis

Transcript Highlights:

• administration's immigration policy administration's immigration policy priorities<00:36:36.000>
• And I'm wondering if you think that the policy priorities of Minneapolis and the policy priorities of
• And I'm wondering if you think that the policy priorities of Minneapolis and the policy priorities of
• And I'm wondering if you think that the policy priorities of Minneapolis and the policy priorities of
• federal policy. federal policy.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are policy decisions that we make.
• stakeholders, policy features, and various considerations.
• Under both of these policies, district participation may be voluntary or mandatory.
• A mandatory policy mandates districts to adopt a policy allowing for the transfer of a student within
• Six states have both voluntary intradistrict and interdistrict policies.