Transcript Highlights:

• Our students deserve better.
• <00:04:45.919> that's looks different for every student that's looks different for every student
• settle for Med mediocrity our students settle for Med mediocrity our students deserve<00:05:10.160
• The regular student?
• physical activity for all our students physical activity for all our students uh<00:19:16.880>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Education met with a quorum and first took up Senate Bill 68, which was presented by Kentucky Department of Education staff as a cleanup measure to reduce duplicative or outdated reporting requirements. The bill, as amended by a committee substitute, would streamline reporting on local wellness policies, school breakfast programs, school budgets, audits, and school nutrition assessments, while preserving existing requirements to adopt wellness and physical activity policies and maintain audit obligations. Members asked whether removing reporting on physical activity and related topics would weaken oversight; KDE responded that districts would still have to adopt the policies and be reviewed under federal nutrition monitoring, but the state reports were often incomplete, hard to compare, and not especially useful. The committee adopted the substitute and passed SB 68 unanimously. The committee then heard Senate Bill 207, the School Innovation Act, sponsored by Senator West. The bill would create an optional program allowing school districts to apply to the Kentucky Board of Education for waivers from certain administrative regulations and establish three-year “schools of innovation,” potentially with third-party partners, to give struggling schools more flexibility and a fresh start. Senator West said the model was inspired by a visit to a school of innovation in South Carolina and by examples from South Carolina and Indiana, and he argued that the bill would let districts try new approaches without mandating participation. He also said existing “district of innovation” language in statute is a relic and that the bill would replace it with a school-based model. Committee members asked about fiscal impact, eligibility, and whether the bill was limited to failing schools. Senator West said the fiscal note was indeterminate because participation is voluntary and could range from none to many districts, but he expected little direct budget change and possible outside philanthropic funding if a district chose to participate. He said the bill does not limit participation to the bottom 5% of schools and would be left to local district discretion. Members also raised whether high-performing or specialized schools could use the model; West said yes, if a district chose. Supportive testimony emphasized that the bill could reduce burdensome oversight and allow schools more flexibility to innovate. The discussion ended with continued questions and no final action recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• with their student ID.
• only allowed students to use the student only allowed students to use the student list<00:07:47.599
• list in conjunction with their student list in conjunction with their student ID<00:07:49.879>
• <01:14:30.679> on<01:14:31.679> uh in so um depending on uh in so um depending on uh
• um what has been the draw for students um what has been the draw for students in<01:29:00.199>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• education's program support students education's program support students across<00:50:09.640>
• education and ensure that every student education and ensure that every student has<00:50:45.960
• the Ada that protect disabled students the Ada that protect disabled students from<00:59:12.440>
• <00:59:26.119> with school students with school students with disabilities<00:59:28.359>
• How many students? 35,000?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Students have every right to protest Israel's actions on campus, just as students once protested the
• My work centers on students, especially graduate students, while also building relationships with faculty
• As an educator, I train students who will work abroad.
• Confucius taught that truth depends...
• Truth depends on calling things by their proper name.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission held a public comment hearing as it continued work toward a November 30 statutory deadline for its final report. The co-chairs reviewed logistics for the hybrid format, two-minute testimony limit, respectful conduct, and the plan to alternate between in-person and virtual speakers. The commission approved the minutes from its previous September 8 meeting by motion and vote, with no nays. Much of the testimony focused on how the commission should define antisemitism, especially whether to adopt the IHRA definition and whether it improperly conflates antisemitism with criticism of Israel or Zionism. Many speakers, including Jewish educators, rabbis, academics, students, and legislators, described personal experiences with antisemitism and urged the commission to address hate while protecting free speech, academic freedom, and the ability to criticize Israeli government policy. Several called for the commission to reject or narrow the IHRA definition and instead consider the Jerusalem Declaration or other frameworks that distinguish antisemitism from anti-Zionism. Others emphasized that antisemitism should be addressed alongside racism, Islamophobia, white nationalism, and other forms of bias, and some urged broader anti-bias training in schools. A smaller number of speakers supported stronger action against antisemitism in schools and public institutions, including concerns about antisemitic materials in education and about organizations or events they viewed as promoting hate. A recurring theme was the conflict in Gaza and its impact on the debate: some speakers condemned Israel’s military actions as genocide, apartheid, or colonialism and said criticism of those actions should not be treated as antisemitic, while others defended Israel, rejected genocide claims, and argued that anti-Israel activism can fuel antisemitism. Several speakers also raised concerns about campus discipline, union materials, and state facility rentals, and one speaker asked that state resources not be used by groups they viewed as inciting hate. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the prior minutes and hearing public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• More students. More students on campus taking courses.
• More students enrolling, more students completing.
• students, in arts degree students, those who are completing, which is about 49,000 students, that too
• How many students do you have? How many full-time students do you have?
• Right now, 40% of my students are first-time college students.

Summary: The Higher Education Appropriations Committee met for its first session of the year, took roll, welcomed new member Senator Bracey Davis, and had members briefly describe their backgrounds and interest in higher education. Chair Harrell framed the committee’s focus on maintaining Florida’s top national ranking in higher education and workforce development, with an emphasis on funding decisions tied to student success, workforce needs, and the state college system. Senior Chancellor Kevin O’Farrell presented the Department of Education’s workforce and Florida College System budget requests and data. He described requested increases for adult education, Florida College System program funding, workforce development, and several grant programs, including workforce capitalization, apprenticeship/teacher apprenticeship, Open Door, and CAPE industry certifications. He highlighted record enrollment and completion growth across Florida’s colleges and technical centers, major gains in career dual enrollment, and expansion in programs such as nursing, AI, cybersecurity, welding, HVAC, and manufacturing. Members asked about labor-market demand, the impact of artificial intelligence on future job training, teacher apprenticeship details, mission creep and duplication in CTE programs, student placement and wages after graduation, and articulation between technical college clock hours and college credit. South Florida State College President Fred Hawkins testified about challenges facing a rural college, including low local college-going rates, long travel distances, limited faculty recruitment due to salaries, and the need for more operational funding to expand capacity. He cited strong job placement and licensure outcomes in nursing, dental hygiene, EMT/paramedic, and radiography, and said the college is exploring AI tools to improve student services and reduce staffing pressure. Pinellas Technical College Executive Director Mark Hunter described strong dual enrollment, high job placement, employer partnerships, and a reported 400% return on investment, while also warning that many programs have waiting lists because of staffing and equipment constraints. He explained how technical college coursework is aligned with state college credit through content-based articulation agreements. The committee then opened the floor for public comment, but no additional business was taken up, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Student success means recruiting more students than other programs.
• But 93 students have come back.
• But 93 students have come back.
• So it's not just recent students. These students go back a ways.
• System pathways and the lived experiences for a variety of students and student types.

Summary: The Higher Education Institutions Committee met at NDSU and heard an extensive presentation from President David Cook/President Stewart and NDSU leadership on the university’s priorities, including enrollment, student success, research growth, and use of New Horizons funding. Leaders emphasized NDSU’s land-grant mission, its role in workforce development, and its goal of becoming more distinctive through strategic planning, recruitment and retention, commercialization, and partnerships. They highlighted that NDSU awarded 2,370 degrees in 2025, produces a large share of the state’s engineering, nursing, and agriculture graduates, and reported strong outcomes for graduates staying and working in North Dakota. They also noted enrollment headwinds, competition from other institutions, and the need to manage tuition waivers more carefully through a scholarship optimization effort. Provost Sherry Vale outlined academic stewardship efforts, including review or consolidation of low-producing programs, strategic hiring tied to institutional priorities, faculty workload policy changes, and expanded online and regional offerings. She said the university is using New Horizons dollars to strengthen advising, student support, and programs in engineering, agriculture, and health. NDSU leaders also described new or expanded academic offerings such as robotics and automation, artificial intelligence, material science and engineering, nuclear engineering certificates, accelerated nursing, nurse practitioner certificates, a Master of Health Administration, and a clinical research master’s program with Sanford Health. They stressed that these investments are intended to improve student completion, meet workforce needs, and increase return on public investment. The committee also heard testimony from students and recent graduates who described the value of NDSU’s education, mentorship, internships, research opportunities, and support services. Alyssa Hodges spoke about pharmacy education, public health work, and campus support as a parent and student; Ethan Blessy described engineering coursework, internships with Marvin, and career preparation; and Aiden Freolic discussed neuroscience research, federally funded projects, and plans for graduate study. Their testimony was followed by presentations on partnerships with Gateway to Science for K-12 STEM outreach and with Sanford Research on biomedical research, clinical trials, obesity research, and a joint biostatistics hire. NDSU also highlighted systemwide shared services, Governor’s School programming, and research growth, including a reported 8% increase in research expenditures from $199 million to $215 million. No bill votes were taken; the meeting was informational and featured presentations, testimony, and discussion of future planning and partnerships.

Transcript Highlights:

• depending on geography and student depending on geography and student background. background. background
• opportunities to students the student opportunities to students that<00:35:34.080> may<00:35:
• and less PSEO opportunities for students and less PSEO institutions available to students.
• institutions available to students. institutions available to students.
• and that's best for the for the student. and that's best for the for the student.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to protect student identity.
• We we have a number of initiatives related to college career advising, student success, getting students
• What we have to do is we have to have better student services to make sure the students we have get the
• I believe that... student services at the schools for every student that we have becomes critical.
• . students everything that they lost.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It depends on your income. It depends on your circumstance.
• So again, it depends on what your needs are and where you access the programs.
• If we get more ridership, we would get more students involved.
• Eighty students painted this mural over the course of two weeks.
• I want you to encourage your students to join that junior board.

Transcript Highlights:

• Following his time as a student athlete, Mr.
• Following his time as a student athlete, Mr.
• Following his time as a student athlete, Mr.
• What this depend on to survive.
• Speaker, depend on every single day. Mr.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, students, please welcome students from Charles Hay World School in Englewood.
• <00:32:24.840> All<00:32:25.040> students students? Right. All students students?
• being students from the area, students who are career changers, students who might also be more progressive
• Uh the student state.
• . students. students.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal from March 9, 2026, and made several announcements about committee meetings and visiting student groups. Members also moved out of order to consider Senate Joint Resolution 11, which designates a portion of U.S. Highway 34 in memory of Sergeant John Jack Thurman. Supportive remarks highlighted Thurman’s Marine Corps service at Iwo Jima and his later work in Colorado. The resolution passed unanimously, 61-0, with four excused. The chamber then took up third-reading bills. House Bill 1213, continuing the Biomass Utilization Grant Program, and House Bill 1185, continuing the Cold Case Task Force and updating its sunset review, both passed 61-0. Senate Bill 7, allowing terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana in health facilities, drew supportive remarks about patient choice and district support and passed 49-12 with four excused. House Bill 1137, concerning requirements for campaign consultants, prompted extended debate. Supporters argued it would address conflicts of interest and protect candidates from unethical consulting practices, while opponents said the issue should be handled by contract rather than law and warned against further regulation. The bill failed on third reading, 26-35, with four excused. The House then moved to Senate Bill 1 on housing policy; the transcript cuts off during debate, with concerns raised about housing shortages, vacancies, and the risk of a housing bubble.

Transcript Highlights:

• the critical metrics of student the critical metrics of student performance<00:25:57.840> the
• an advocate for families and students an advocate for families and students who<00:54:01.680>
• youngest and most vulnerable students youngest and most vulnerable students many<00:54:39.040>
• It didn't teach students how to read. Let me repeat that: it didn't teach students how to read.
• > need<01:41:44.080> to students require that students need to students require that students

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The dark blue is adult students.
• We were able to increase student count by 10,000 students in career tech.
• Have shop classes for every student.
• students.
• paying 1.5 times per student.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For the community colleges, this bill will open up the ability for student housing.
• For those independent projects, I guess it would depend upon where it would fall.
• So on the student housing and student life projects and athletic facilities that can be on a project
• Student fees or other applicable non-state revenue.
• Chair, if you're a university student, could you raise your hand? University students, okay.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• performing students internationally. performing students internationally.
• This disadvantages students who are English learners, students with communication challenges, and students
• that for all students in the state? that for all students in the state?
• what the students teaching the students what the students are<00:32:20.000> eventually<00:32:
• Students do take a test.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on House Bill 1571, which would direct the Department of Education to review and revise statewide academic standards and curriculum and make an appropriation. Representative Kristen Noble, the sponsor, said the bill is intended to update outdated standards, especially in math, and to have the department create a list of high-quality curriculum and materials aligned to the revised standards. She noted she would likely amend the bill to change a requirement that districts “shall” select from the list to “may,” and said a misplaced crossed-out section would need to be restored and moved by amendment. She also said assessments would need to be updated to match any new standards. Testimony from Marie Banfield strongly supported the bill and the move away from a mandate, arguing that current standards are outdated and that Common Core and related standards have not improved student outcomes. She criticized the math standards for emphasizing multiple strategies and written explanations over computation, and said stronger standards would better support students, including those with learning or communication challenges. She also argued that New Hampshire should follow examples such as Massachusetts, which she said used rigorous standards successfully. Nate Green of the Department of Education did not take a position on the bill but explained that the bill would affect statewide academic standards, state assessments, and potentially federal compliance. He distinguished academic standards from minimum standards in statute, said any standards revision would require work with content experts, State Board approval, and then a corresponding assessment update that could take about two years. He estimated assessment development costs could range from about $200,000 to $500,000 for minor revisions and $1 million to $2 million for a wholesale new set of standards. He also said the bill would apply to public and charter public schools, not private or homeschool students, and that the department does not currently provide a statewide list of curriculum materials because curriculum decisions have historically been local.

Transcript Highlights:

• then claimed the student as a dependent, then claimed the student as a dependent, then their<02:00
• um he would provide for the students. um he would provide for the students.
• the students needs academically. the students needs academically.
• And we're talking about one student in this school and maybe two students in that school and no students
• students in that school and no students students in that school and no students in<03:45:44.720>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It'll be our students. It's right.
• students that are graduating, having our employers in the region create opportunities for these students
• students that are graduating, having our employers in the region create opportunities for these students
• And we do have some programs that hopefully will pass that will enable students, or encourage students
• populations, different segments of our community, depending on the educational goals of the students

Summary: The committee on Higher Education Appropriations heard and favorably reported two bills: SB 1570, which revives the former Project Leo program to help locate missing persons with special needs through voluntary tracking devices and coordination with sheriff’s offices, and CS/SB 1376, which creates a grant program to support genetic counseling education in response to a statewide shortage of genetic counselors. Both bills drew supportive comments, with the genetic counseling bill also receiving public support from a university representative. The committee then took up a large slate of confirmations. It first approved a block of reappointments to various university and college boards of trustees, including institutions such as UWF, Broward College, Chipola College, FIU, Pasco-Hernando, Polk State, St. Petersburg College, Valencia, FAMU, FAU, UCF, FSU, New College, UNF, USF, and Broward College. It then heard from numerous new appointees and some requested reappointments, many of whom emphasized workforce training, nursing, military and veteran support, dual enrollment, and local economic development as priorities for their institutions. Several nominees highlighted their personal ties to the schools and communities they would serve, including appointees to Pensacola State, Polk State, St. Petersburg College, UNF, UWF, FIU, the College of the Florida Keys, Valencia College, and Chipola College. Committee members repeatedly asked about nursing NCLEX pass rates, workforce alignment, and institutional growth. One reappointment, Thomas Zachary Smith to the UWF board, was pulled from the block for separate questioning about his past public comments and his role in Project 2025; he said he would serve in his personal capacity and treat all students equally. The committee also separately heard from a Florida Poly reappointment, I. Shapiro, who was questioned about prior remarks regarding race and Supreme Court nominations, and from a New College reappointment, Mark Bowerlaine, who described campus improvements and enrollment growth. The meeting ended amid ongoing confirmation processing and separate votes on the remaining nominees.

Transcript Highlights:

• THE DEPARTMENT AND SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPPORT MILITARY STUDENTS WITH THE TIMELY TRANSFER OF STUDENT RECORDS
• FOR EXAMPLE STUDENTS OF ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY STUDENT PARENTS TRANSFERRED OR PENDING TRANSFER TO A FLORIDA
• I HAD A HANDFUL OF STUDENTS THAT IT SAW A PORTION OF STUDENTS COMING IN AND OUT AND THEY WERE MILITARY
• WHEN A NEW CHILD COMES IN THIS ANCHOR FOR LIFE, STUDENT FOR STUDENT, THEY WELCOME THE CHILD, THEY GET
• I DID NOT REALIZE WHAT A BIG DEAL IT WAS UNTIL THE STUDENT FROM THEIR STUDENTS FROM HILLSBORO CAME TO

Transcript Highlights:

• So the first line impacts 220 students, and then the second line impacts 220 students.
• the second line impacts 220 students. the second line impacts 220 students.
• So are those the same students? Mr. So are those the same students? Mr.
• that<01:01:30.560> we're Depending on the data that we're Depending on the data that we're
• <01:12:22.880> on um by again, it really depends on um by again, it really depends on complexity

Bills: HF1234, HF3528, HF3672, HF3679, HF3680, HF1944

Keywords: payment transparency, public contracts, contractor rights, government accountability, construction payments, barbering, licensing, examinations, barber schools, public safety, certifications, Barber Examiners Board, data transparency, Legislative Budget Office, state agencies, fiscal notes, public data, standard time, federal law, time zone

Transcript Highlights:

• We are not in the business of creating dependence.
• We are not in the business of creating dependence.
• But our goal is not to build dependence.
• or solely for blind students.
• Three is completely dependent.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Human Services Committee met in interim session and first approved the previous meeting minutes before receiving a series of presentations on homelessness and housing stability. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency updated members on the new Interagency Council on Homelessness, describing its executive-order mandate to review resources, gather input from stakeholders, identify gaps, and develop recommendations. She said the council’s first work is building a statewide program matrix of existing homeless services and funding sources, with attention to youth, tribal communities, and other vulnerable populations. Members raised concerns about youth homelessness, homeless veterans, and how the council will stay focused on a practical framework rather than getting lost in details. The committee also discussed possible connections to the rural health transformation grant and agreed to continue the topic later in the spring. Beth Olson of Presentation Partners in Housing described the organization’s housing-first model in Cass County and Clay County, including homeless prevention/diversion, housing navigation, and Cooper House, a 42-unit permanent supportive housing building in Fargo. She said the organization focuses on people with long-term and chronic homelessness, many with mental health, addiction, health, domestic violence, and Indigenous identity-related barriers, and reported strong outcomes: 85 of 86 people housed in 2025, 91% still housed after one year, and major reductions in emergency room use, ambulance rides, jail stays, detox days, and shelter use. She also explained that state funding has grown from a small share of the budget to about $1.1 million in state-connected funding for fiscal 2026, largely through contracts tied to supportive services. Members asked about vouchers, rent contributions at Cooper House, length of stay, and whether similar projects could be expanded elsewhere. Andrea Olson of the Community Action Partnership of North Dakota outlined statewide homeless and housing-related services delivered through six community action agencies in all 53 counties. She explained the Community Services Block Grant structure, said housing was identified as the top need in the most recent statewide needs assessment, and described programs including Supportive Services for Veteran Families, North Dakota Homeless Grant services, and Home ARP supportive services. She emphasized that the end of North Dakota Rent Help has increased pressure on the system, that the current $2 million annual homeless grant is far smaller than prior rent-help assistance, and that community action is using case management and financial assistance to move households toward self-sufficiency. Members asked about funding formulas, rural service delivery, and coordination with Presentation Partners to avoid duplication. YouthWorks then began a presentation on youth homelessness, describing services for ages 12 to 24, the special needs of youth and former foster youth, and the organization’s use of federal and state funds to support transitional housing, emergency shelter, maternity housing, and diversion services.