Video & Transcript Research : 'professionalization'
Page 80 of 443
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/24/2026 - House Democratic Caucus Calendar #12
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill prohibits health care professionals from assisting with minor gender transitioning and contains
- medication tapering and discontinuation under the care of their physician or other health care professional
- Leader, yes, in addition there is a provision that prohibits a health care professional from referring
- was a real reason why they needed to file additional paperwork, so I voted no just because of my professional
- was a real reason why they needed to file additional paperwork, so I voted no just because of my professional
Summary:
The caucus reviewed a long list of Senate bills covering elections, transportation, health care, land use, water, criminal justice, and local government. Several election-related measures were described, including SB 1037 on voting equipment custody and internet/port restrictions, SB 1568 on election system software timekeeping, and SB 1687 moving the primary date to May starting in 2028. Members also discussed bills on photo enforcement fines, roadable aircraft registration, motor vehicle booting, assisted living occupancy limits, and municipal permit and exaction rules. A number of measures were noted as third-read consent items, while others were flagged for further discussion or amendments.
Health and public safety bills drew substantial discussion. The committee heard bills on insurance coverage for breast cancer screening, safe-haven hospital surrender of newborns, dialysis documentation, behavioral health licensing compliance, naturopathic IV drug administration, traumatic event counseling for public safety employees, sex offender registration limitations, and probation rules for dangerous crimes against children. Members raised concerns or requested removal from consent on several items, including SB 1095 and SB 1094 related to gender-affirming care for minors, SB 1346 on AHCCCS claims processing, and SB 1178 on naturopathic drug administration. There was also debate over SB 1520 on immigration data sharing and SB 1635 on warning someone about an imminent arrest, with objections citing civil liberties and First Amendment concerns.
The committee also considered multiple property, water, and development bills. These included measures on effluent water use for landscaping, groundwater fee diversion in Pinal County, increasing the Water Supply Development Revolving Fund loan cap, creating a foreign entity review commission for real property transfers, and restricting transport of Mexican gray wolf pups into Arizona. Members discussed SB 1419 on solar roof inspections and financing disclosures, and SB 1787 on municipal exactions and appeals, with an amendment proposed to limit it to commercial property. Several members explained their votes or asked to pull bills from consent, and some items were noted as having split votes or anticipated floor amendments. The caucus ended with Rhonda’s election-related bills and a note that the group would move immediately into a closed caucus afterward.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 24, 2026 - 11:45 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill was brought forward by the Florida Professional Firefighters, who saw this was an issue, we
- William Bernie Byrne Osco with the Professional Firefighters is waving in support.
- Wayne Bernie with the Florida Professional Firefighters >> Chair McClure: Anyone wanting to speak?
- William Benassi with Florida Professional Firefighters, you are recognized. >> William Benassi: Members
- >Chair McClure: THANKS FOR BEING HERE TODAY. 490 WILLIAM BENASSI 491 WITH FLORIDA FOR PROFESSIONAL
Summary:
The Budget Committee met with a quorum present and heard several bills, with HB 1483 temporarily postponed. The most contentious measure was HB 945, which would create a state counterintelligence/counterterrorism team within FDLE. The sponsor said it was aimed at terrorists, nation-state actors, and other criminal threats, not political speech, and noted an amendment would address First Amendment concerns later. Opponents from the First Amendment Foundation, ACLU Florida, and other groups argued the bill was too vague, lacked guardrails, and could enable surveillance of protected speech or political activity. Members also raised questions about fiscal impact, oversight, warrants, and the bill’s July start date. Despite those concerns, the committee reported HB 945 favorably by roll call vote.
The committee then unanimously passed HB 6507, a claims bill appropriating funds to compensate for damages caused by departmental negligence. HB 813, which clarifies Florida’s firefighter cancer law and death-benefit provisions, also passed after an amendment narrowed the bill and added language allowing a firefighter’s family to receive the death benefit if the firefighter separates from employment and dies within one year. Firefighter representatives supported the bill as a compassionate fix, while one local firefighter representative opposed the amendment, saying it would remove protections and create an arbitrary cutoff. Sponsors responded that DROP would not be affected and that the change was intended to help terminally ill firefighters spend their final days at home without losing survivor benefits.
Finally, HB 365, dealing with law enforcement interactions with individuals with autism, passed favorably. Supporters, including family members and autism advocates, said in-person training and positive interactions are crucial to preventing escalations and tragedies during police encounters. They described real-life incidents where lack of training led to harmful outcomes and urged adoption of the bill’s training provisions. Members from both parties voiced support, calling the measure overdue and important for both public safety and the autism community. The chair closed the meeting by noting it was likely the committee’s last budget meeting and adjourned without objection.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- His commitment to public service is rooted in family, professionalism, integrity, and respect, helping
- His commitment to public service is rooted in family, professionalism, integrity, and respect, helping
- From thriving businesses to professional achievements, Albanian Americans continue to shape Arizona's
- our district with a powerful entrepreneurial spirit, launching thriving businesses and achieving professional
- They were among the first professional Black soldiers in our nation's history.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and introductions of the Doctor of the Day and various guests in the gallery. Members also adopted a proclamation recognizing February 17, 2026, as Kosovo’s Independence Day in Arizona, with remarks highlighting the Kosovo American community’s contributions to the state. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider measures on the calendar.
In Committee of the Whole, HB 2307 received committee amendments and a due pass recommendation. HB 2758, relating to groundwater transportation and La Paz County, drew substantial debate and multiple amendments; supporters described it as a water policy measure with added protections, while opponents warned it would weaken basin protections and benefit private water investors. After a division and recorded vote, HB 2758 failed to receive a due pass recommendation. The committee also gave due pass recommendations to HCR 2003, HCR 2047, and HCR 2002 after debate on issues including transgender participation in sports and the historical/biblical naming of Judea and Samaria.
On third reading, the House passed HB 251, HB 262, HB 272, HB 296, and HB 2459, with brief explanations of vote on several measures. HB 262 was described as honoring the Buffalo Soldiers, HB 272 as a public health-related measure tied to provider credentialing, HB 296 as a water infrastructure and finance bill, and HB 2459 as a bipartisan mobile home park tenant protection bill. The House then received the Committee of the Whole report, referred the passed measures to engrossing, and noted that HB 2758 failed to pass. The session concluded with announcements about committee meetings, a Game and Fish Department legislative day, and other personal remarks before adjournment until February 18, 2026.
VT
Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session - 2026-01-30 - 11:30AM
Vermont Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- He brings a diverse set of experiences, both professional and personal, and that is incredible in that
- The judge said, 'I have had an untraditional breadth of professional and personal experiences that would
- breadth<00:14:55.519>
of had an untraditional breadth of had an untraditional breadth of professional - <00:14:56.160>
and <00:14:56.480>personal <00:14:56.959>experiences professional - and personal experiences professional and personal experiences that<00:14:57.839>
would <00:14
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- HB 2615, parenting time supervision professional supervisor. HB 2616, tuition supervisor.
- HB 2694, professional. HB 2694, tax credit. HB 2694, just confidentiality.
- finance firings 2603 veterans mobile service 2607 veterans housing 2615 parenting time supervision professional
- abating since the requirement 26 76 76 juvenile restoration 26 79 fire fart occupation disease 26 96 professional
- We deserve an administration that’s dedicated to operating with professionalism, striving always to do
Summary:
The House convened with prayer by Deacon Ernie Gonzalez, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and recognition of Dr. Pamela Murphy as Doctor of the Day. Members also introduced guests, including local officials, Arizona Game and Fish commissioners, and advocates from the Alzheimer’s Association. A proclamation was read designating January 26, 2026, as Arizona Aviation Day, highlighting the industry’s economic impact and the role of airports, aerospace, and aviation-related jobs in the state.
The clerk then recorded a large number of bills and resolutions for first and second reading, covering water and energy policy, education savings accounts and school choice, elections and campaign finance, veterans issues, public safety, housing, health care, immigration-related matters, and land and natural resources. Representative Gress also read a resolution recognizing National School Choice Week and praising Arizona’s school choice programs, including charter schools and empowerment scholarship accounts.
A lengthy portion of the meeting consisted of members’ personal privilege remarks responding to violence and immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota and Arizona. Many members condemned ICE tactics, described fear and harm in immigrant communities, and called for constitutional rights, due process, and accountability; several requested or observed a moment of silence. No substantive floor votes on legislation were taken during the transcript beyond the motion to adjourn, which passed, and the House adjourned until 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Jan 20th, 2026
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Because if I have a conversation, I'm not necessarily thinking that any conversation that, as a professional
- This bill targets doctors and professionals who seek to provide the best possible care for transgender
- It also goes against and willfully ignores the medical professionals who stand in support of providing
- them any chance to get the help that they need and will have the intended impact of chilling the professional
- We're asking for our children to be safe, for professionals to be able to do their jobs, and for decisions
Keywords:
child welfare, psychotropic medication, Department of Children and Families, community-based care, liability insurance, forensic services, defendants, mental health, judicial system, defense, legal definitions, minors, healthcare, parental rights, criminal penalties, civil action, sex-reassignment, investigations, economic damages
Summary:
The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs considered four bills. SB 590, by Sen. Bradley, would toll the statute of limitations for failure to report suspected child abuse by mandatory reporters until the offense is known to law enforcement; an amendment clarified retroactive application for offenses not already time-barred by the bill’s effective date. Sen. Bradley said the bill is intended to ensure accountability in institutional abuse cases and not to change the reasonable-suspicion reporting standard. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably.
The committee also heard SB 778, by Sen. Simon, which would update the definition of forensic client so certain individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism whose charges were dismissed for incompetency can be housed with other Chapter 916 residents, reducing duplicative staffing and space needs at the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. Barney Bishop appeared in support, and the bill was reported favorably without amendment.
SB 560, by Sen. Garcia, would streamline procedures for psychotropic medication prescriptions for children in DCF custody, reduce duplicative background checks and reporting, and simplify consent documentation. Amendments removed language allowing licensed clinical social workers and marriage and family therapists to serve as evaluators and narrowed changes to the Road to Independence Program’s postsecondary education services and supports, extending eligibility ages from 18 to 26 while keeping the five-year cap. Senators discussed the fiscal impact and funding blend for the education stipend. The committee adopted the amendments and reported the bill favorably.
The committee then took up SB 1010, by Sen. Yarbrough, which adds criminal and civil enforcement for violations involving sex-reassignment prescriptions or procedures for minors and related parental-rights provisions. An amendment clarified that the civil action authority applies to minors and that damages benefit the affected minor. Public testimony was heavily divided, with supporters saying the bill enforces existing protections and opponents warning it would chill care, counseling, and school-based support for transgender youth. Senators Harrell, Sharief, and Rouson raised concerns about vagueness, standing, and impacts on teachers and health professionals; Sharief voted no, while the bill was still reported favorably.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education Jan 14th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- .$1.5 million in funding for the Civics Professional Development Initiative, and $10 million, which is
- Looking also at pay packages, I think we have to consider what we spend on professional development for
- I think we have to consider what we spend on professional development for our educators and staff, and
- Because you have federal funding that can be used for professional development or for these technological
- So the recommended ratio is one mental health professional, which is a differentiation.
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education received a presentation from the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget and the Department of Education on the Governor’s fiscal year 2026-27 education budget. Shelby Salmons outlined the overall budget framework, and Commissioner Stasi Kamoutsis highlighted major education investments, including $486 million for VPK, $30.6 billion for K-12 education, a $761.1 million increase in FEFP funding, the highest per-student funding level to date, and $201 million more for teacher pay flexibility. The presentation also emphasized school safety, mental health, civics education, and the Guardian Program, along with continued funding for TEACH, HIPPY, Help Me Grow, and civics debate and literacy initiatives.
Members asked about how the mental health allocation would be used, counselor staffing ratios, school closures and whether the department intervenes, oversight of school choice and voucher-funded schools, and the Guardian Program’s pay structure and effectiveness. Senators also raised concerns about the FISH school capacity report, data collection, teacher pay, professional development, AI and tutoring technology, and whether the budget adequately supports mental health services and school safety. The Commissioner said many funding decisions are left to districts, that the department stands ready to assist, and that the Guardian Program has been successful and expanded over time.
During public testimony, Pinellas County School Board member Laura Hine said her district spends far more on safety and mental health than it receives in state categorical funding, and urged the committee to consider full-day VPK funding, arguing it has improved third-grade reading outcomes in Pinellas. Senators followed up on district flexibility and local spending choices. The committee took no substantive vote on the budget presentation and adjourned after thanking the department for its recommendations and partnership.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education Jan 14th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education
Transcript Highlights:
- There is also $1.5 million in funding for the civics professional development initiative, and $10 million
- Looking also at pay packages, I think we have to consider what we spend on professional development for
- Because you have federal funding that can be used for professional development or for these technological
- There was a question on the ratio, so the recommended ratio is... ...one mental health professional,
- So the recommended ratio is one mental health professional, which is a differentiation.
Summary:
The Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met to hear the governor’s fiscal year 2026-27 budget recommendations for education from the Office of Policy and Budget and the Department of Education. Shelby Salmons and Commissioner Stasi Kamoutsis outlined the governor’s proposed $117.4 billion state budget, including about $32.5 billion for education, with major emphasis on public schools and early learning. The presentation highlighted a $30.6 billion K-12 budget, a $486 million VPK program, continued funding for VPK Summer Bridge, TEACH, HIPPY, and Help Me Grow, as well as increases for teacher pay, base student allocation, mental health, school safety, civics education, and school hardening initiatives. The commissioner also cited a 92.2% statewide graduation rate and Florida’s national rankings in education and education freedom.
Senators used the question period to raise concerns about counselor staffing, mental health services, school closures, school choice oversight, the Guardian Program, data reporting, and school capacity. Senator Jones asked about counselor ratios, school closures in historically Black communities, and whether school choice schools are properly monitored for safety and instructional quality. Senator Osgood argued that mental health funding should support more clinical services on campuses, not just academic counselors, and Senator Bradley asked whether the centralized data repository includes scholarship students. Senator Gates praised the civics and debate funding and asked for more detail on the Guardian Program’s performance; the commissioner said 53 of 67 districts participate and described it as a successful safety option with sheriffs approving training. Senators Simon and Osgood also pressed for better use of the FISH report and more accurate space data to understand school capacity and right-sizing.
During public testimony, Pinellas County School Board member Laura Hine said her district is an A-rated district with no D or F schools, but spends far more on safety and mental health than it receives in state categorical funding. She said Florida’s mental health staffing ratio is about one counselor per 2,203 students, compared with a recommended one per 1,106, and urged the committee to consider funding full-day VPK statewide, estimating it would cost about $375 million. Committee members followed up on her comments about local flexibility and whether districts can shift funds to meet needs. The meeting ended after members thanked DOE and executive branch staff for the presentation, and the committee adjourned without taking any substantive vote on legislation.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Nov 6th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- The skilled professionals, such as nurses... Do we have a handout? No?
- Then there are also the direct support professionals, who are largely caregivers that provide direct
- The bill also addressed the wages necessary for direct support professionals based on 150% of the minimum
- a 100% response rate from the 91 provider agencies providing services utilizing direct support professionals
- This range for the 11,602 reported direct support professionals created an overall average hourly wage
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Health and Human Services Oct 2nd, 2025
House Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Geographical health professional shortage areas within those counties, so that we can make sure that
- By adding this designation of a high needs geographical health professional shortage, We would be able
- If we were to just say that the criteria was all health professional shortage areas, the whole state
- Chair, Minority Whip, it is specific to high needs geographic health professional shortage areas, which
- We're adding that high needs health professional geographic shortage area to be an additional catchment
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Education Study Sep 4th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Professionals in real workplace settings or simulated environments at an educational institution.
- Let's say if you are investing in a teacher's professional development, you get classroom engagement.
- We provided professional development to schools and implemented credit recovery through service learning
- We worked really closely with Pro Parents Reaching Out in giving professional development about that
- Offer professional development in assessment for the teachers that are teaching these courses.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And here we are, debating whether or not their local elected officials have the right to hire professionals
- our own decisions and vote according to what we believe is correct, informed or uninformed, by professionals
- And I find it very valuable to hear from the professionals. ...presentations of perspectives from both
- consistency of welcoming into our offices the perspective from the private sector that funds expensive professional
- lobbyists and makes donations to our campaigns, while saying that cities don't get that same professional
Keywords:
hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes, election law enforcement, criminal prosecution, Election Code, Government Code Chapter 402, local prosecutors, county attorney, district attorney, grand jury, probable cause reports, state election offenses, voter fraud, election integrity
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, the term licensed specialist in school psychology refers in statute to professionals trained
- My name is Amanda Fifi, and I chair the Government and Professional Relations Committee for the Texas
- Again, the change will not remove or undermine the authority of other health professionals practicing
- The effectiveness: Since its establishment, the professionalism of the appraisal districts has increased
- Appraisal districts outsource complex property appraisals to four or five professional appraisal firms
Keywords:
district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, fraudulent solicitation, disaster relief, nonprofit organizations, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud prevention, charitable donations
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Education K-16 heard a series of higher education and K-12 bills, initially without a quorum and with several measures left pending subject to the call of the chair. Early bills included HB 1868, which would direct a study on lowering the dual-credit funding threshold for public junior colleges from 15 to 9 semester credit hours; HB 2598, which would replace statutory references to “licensed specialist in school psychology” with “school psychologist”; HB 3629, which would bar registered sex offenders from serving on independent school district boards of trustees; and HB 4361, which would require the Higher Education Coordinating Board to adopt rules for timely emergency notifications at public institutions of higher education. Each received brief sponsor explanations, no opposition testimony, and was left pending.
The committee also heard HB 4848, requiring public higher education systems to ensure at least one institution offers affordable competency-based bachelor’s degree programs in high-demand fields, and HB 1211, which would remove the age 25 deadline for former foster youth to use public college tuition waivers. HB 1211 drew extensive supportive testimony from Texas CASA, a former foster youth who benefited from the waiver, and a current student headed to medical school, all arguing the change would better match the realities faced by youth aging out of care. Members discussed the bill’s fiscal uncertainty and the argument that the waiver is an investment in workforce participation; the bill was left pending.
Later, the committee heard HB 20, creating an Applied Sciences Pathway Program to let high school students earn certificates in targeted industries such as welding, plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing, and oil and gas while in school. Industry and workforce groups strongly supported the bill as a way to address labor shortages, while Texas 2036 raised concerns about allowing applied versions of core academic courses to substitute for traditional instruction. HB 4687, which would extend governmental immunity protections to certain campus/district charter schools and adult charter high schools, also received support from a charter-school attorney who said it would align statutes with existing case law and not expand charter rights. HB 4236, as substituted, would create a study group to examine the property value study’s effect on school finance and alternative valuation methods; it was adopted as a committee substitute and left pending. The committee also heard HB 824 on civics instruction in high school government courses and HB 2243, which would create a commission on teacher job satisfaction and retention; the latter prompted debate over removing “ethnic diversity” language from the commission’s makeup. After adopting the substitute for HB 2243 by roll call, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Most will probably require professionals, such as a CPA or a tax attorney, to assemble and articulate
- These are the groups that already have the resources for and access to experienced tax professionals
- I don't believe my viewpoint is unique among tax professionals, CPAs, and lawyers.
- So I guess I just would want our testifiers, who are professionals that get paid to do this, to ensure
- , when that happens, Happens, the high earners are entertainers, or football players, or other professionals
Keywords:
individual income tax, retirement contributions, tax corrections, annuity contracts, tax year attribution, tax credit, economic development, community investment, data disclosure, Minnesota regulations, tax increment financing, municipal authority, job creation, transferred increment, public hearing, nonresident employees, income tax exemption, Minnesota taxation, employment duties, tax withholding
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- protecting all pre-born children from abortion, we have seen some confusion crop up among medical professionals
- It's extremely important that medical professionals have quality education when dealing with pregnancy
- Not only will this bring peace of mind to healthcare professionals in this situation.
- This bill will support women by ensuring medical professionals are properly informed about the law. .
- ..but it also ensures that the medical professionals are trained in communicating with the patient on
Keywords:
SB 801, birth certificate, birth record, certified copy, homeless, homelessness, unhoused, vital records, state registrar, local registrar, county clerk, fee waiver, identity documents, ID access, housing insecurity, shelter, transitional housing, Health and Safety Code, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Because we only have professionalized two of those branches. They are not truly co-equal.
- This would professionalize our legislature, making us a truly co-equal branch and allowing the legislature
- It will be a significant step towards that professionalization that will be to the benefit of all New
- Is it because we're not a professional legislature? I don't know. Maybe, maybe not.
- But modernizing and professionalizing our legislature is a three-part endeavor.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Education Postsecondary Jan 14th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- STATE SO IN ALL FLORIDA 67 COUNTIES WE HAD ALMOST 1000 EVENTS LAST YEAR ALONE AND WE'VE OFFERED PROFESSIONAL
- SINCE 2022 ONE OF THE PIECES THE NEW WORLD STATUTE BEGAN TO INCLUDE WAS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR
- WE'VE DONE WORK HISTORICALLY IN MATHEMATICS BUT TODAY WE HAVE ONLY BEGUN TO OFFER PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
- WE HAVE A PIECE OF WHAT THAT SYSTEM CAN OFFER IN THE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING WE HAVE LAUNCHED THROUGH THE
- SOME WAYS IN WHICH WE HAVE BEGUN TO IMPLEMENT THAT, WITHIN OUR EDUCATOR PROFESSIONAL LEARNING PLATFORMS
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Good evening, Faith Borgis on behalf of California agents and health insurance professionals and the
- But it came to my attention how much some of these professionals are often receiving in compensation
- My name is Faith Borges, and I’m here on behalf of California agents and health insurance professionals
- My name is Faith Borges, and I'm here on behalf of California agents and health insurance professionals
- I would also say that we, in the bill, only require brokers and professionals to disclose compensation
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Education
Transcript Highlights:
- Parker holds professional development programs, allowing teachers from across the state and globe to
- This board is the only board I'm aware of that does not allow professionals whom it regulates to serve
- It's totally reasonable, and it's insulting to the professionals and to the elected officials who know
- So, and I think that I will say, I’m going to let them talk more about that, but as a professional and
- As educational professionals, the chance to have the... Act relative to school library standards.
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.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Judiciary, Division A - Room 216, 29 January, 2026; 3:00 PM
Judiciary, Division A
Transcript Highlights:
- sports team or professional sports organization. >> So under that definition, the current law, a parent
- <01:00:23.119>
sports <01:00:23.440>team on behalf of a professional sports team on - behalf of a professional sports team or<01:00:23.920>
professional <01:00:24.480>sports <01:00:26.160>So or professional sports organization. - So or professional sports organization.
Summary:
The committee met to discuss several bills, beginning with a block motion on Senate Bills 2138, 2697, 2707, 2717, and 2726. Those measures were described as code-section updates involving redrawn Supreme Court districts, youth court reforms, Administrative Office of Courts matters, replacement of the MyKids youth court computer system, and Mississippi opioid settlement commission procedures. The committee agreed to take them up together, and the motion to report them title sufficient and due pass carried without opposition.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 2890, dealing with the judicial operations fund. Members were told the fund no longer has sufficient revenue to cover court operations and requested judicial raises, and the proposed committee substitute would repeal the fund while conforming related code references. The substitute was adopted and the bill was reported title sufficient and due pass. Senate Bill 2730, granting immunity to nonprofits and churches that open during declared emergencies, was amended with a reverse repealer and then passed as amended.
Next, Senate Bill 2135 was explained as a change to jury summons procedures so clerks could use the SEMS active/inactive voter designation and summon only active voters, without removing anyone from the voter rolls. The bill drew no opposition and passed, though a reverse repealer was later requested on similar procedural grounds in other bills. Senate Bill 2360 would create a public registry of entities that, though appearing private, are covered by the Mississippi Tort Claims Act; members discussed whether such entities should also be required to identify themselves on websites and written materials, and an amendment to that effect was adopted. A reverse repealer was then added, and the bill passed as amended.
Finally, Senate Bill 2362 was presented as a proposal to create a private cause of action under the Unfair Trade Practices Act, allowing claimants to sue directly while still notifying the Attorney General. The sponsor said the bill would not add extra damages and noted similar laws in other states. The committee discussion was cut off in the transcript before a final vote on that bill is shown.