Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, we outperformed the national average in literacy lexile scores in four of the six grade levels
• We are above numerous states in every grade level. And additional information will be provided.
• I've taught first grade, third grade, fourth grade, and fifth grade. I've been a literacy coach.
• So there's times a teacher has 40 to, like, first grade, 43 students, 43 first graders in one classroom
• So when I say four percentage points, I actually mean over 1,200 more low-income students on grade level

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and the unique characteristics associated with each specific adequacy standard in relation to the grade
• Students in grades one through five need 36. Net square feet per student.
• Grades six through eight require 33 net square feet, and students in grades nine through twelve need
• value derived from the previous gross square footage calculator was based solely on the student's grade
• main differences stem from the integration of all relevant adequacy standards applicable to those grades

Transcript Highlights:

• case actually arose out of a case where I was representing a student, and the student was in the 12th grade
• For example, by second grade, students are introduced to the complex... and potentially confusing concepts
• By 5th grade, children are expected to understand the difference between cisgender, transgender, and
• Just real quick, I've got a kid in second grade. None of that's happened. None of it.
• In TEKS, sex education starts in fourth grade; it starts in second grade in the NSES standards.

Bills: SB204, SB570, SB735, SB784, SB1207, SB1396, SB1447, SB2392, SB2540, SB747, SB875

Keywords: parental rights, education, school trustees, training, handbook, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district, open-enrollment charter school, student support services, school counselor, principal, administrator

Transcript Highlights:

• started college, I served in multiple student organizations, stayed active in clubs, and kept my grades
• Um, currently homeless liaisons are only able to support students from K through 12th grade.
• to implement DEI-based practices under different guises, particularly in admissions criteria and grading
• Pass fail grading systems, even for core clinical and scientific coursework.
• Pass fail grading can conceal important distinctions in preparation and performance. in critical areas

Bills: HB232

Keywords: disaster recovery, natural disaster, weather disaster, emergency relief, flood relief, hurricane relief, storm damage, wildfire, tornado, hail, windstorm, extreme heat, ice storm, snowstorm, property damage, personal injury, temporary housing, relocation assistance, lost wages, state emergency management

Transcript Highlights:

• because a theory of knowledge subject examination, comprised of a presentation and written essay, is graded
• ; and vision for first-, third-, and sixth-grade.
• At the time of his death he carried higher than a 4.0 grade point average and had recently taken a tour
• Let's take up tab 9, SB 1618, on pre-kindergarten through grade 12 education by Senator Calatayud.
• It also repeals the Council for Early Grade Success after having served its purpose.

Summary: The Pre-K-12 Education Committee took up a series of education, school safety, health, and student access bills. SB 754 on International Baccalaureate bonus funds was amended to clarify the theory of knowledge course and then reported favorably. SB 370 would allow routine non-invasive school health screenings, such as vision, hearing, and dental checks, to proceed with written notice and an opt-out process rather than active parental consent; supporters said it would improve participation and access, while opponents argued it was too broad and weakened parental rights. After debate over scope, funding, and consent, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also advanced SB 1070, which would require ECG screenings for student athletes under a phased rollout beginning in 2026, with religious and medical opt-outs. The bill was renamed the Second Chance Act in honor of Chance Gainer. Supporters described it as a life-saving measure to detect hidden cardiac conditions, while some members raised cost and implementation concerns. SB 508, the Family Empowerment Scholarship bill, would require private schools to disclose in writing what accommodations and services they will provide to students with IEPs, 504 plans, or ELL plans before enrollment; it was supported by parents, advocacy groups, and some school representatives and was reported favorably. School safety measures were also considered. SB 1470 would refine campus locking and supervision rules, create clearer exceptions, expand training and security options for school safety personnel, and allow district-employed law enforcement officers to use canines for threat detection. Witnesses from school safety and Parkland-related advocacy groups supported the bill but urged caution on exemptions and implementation details. SB 1472 would extend a public records exemption to certified school security guards, matching the protection already given to school guardians, and it was reported favorably. Finally, SB 248 would expand participation in FHSAA sports for private school and home education students at public schools when their own schools do not offer the sport, and SB 1618 made broad changes to VPK through grade 12 policy, including reading instruction, financial literacy, school funds restrictions, teacher certification, and advisory council rules; both bills were reported favorably. Several members later recorded votes in support of specific tabs before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• They, y'all grade them, don't you? Yes. OK. And you.
• You actually, your own engineers, you grade them, don't you? We do.
• But we don't grade the private engineers, do we?
• Okay, those engineers aren't graded? Not directly by Exxon. Okay, so my question is, what...
• The reality is, those engineers that are not being graded by TxDOT have a vested interest in delaying

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• mentioned<01:09:36.159> this<01:09:36.560> kind<01:09:36.719> of<01:09:36.799> egg
• <01:09:37.120> technology mentioned this kind of egg technology mentioned this kind of egg

Bills: HF4862, HF4598

Keywords: apprenticeship, education, teacher training, grant program, labor and industry, workers' compensation, Minnesota workers' compensation, Workers' Compensation Advisory Council, reinsurance association, Workers' Compensation Reinsurance Association, WCRA, occupational disease, presumption, first responders, firefighter cancer, PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder, police officer, paramedic, emergency medical technician

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota that have been enrolled in the Minnesota that have been enrolled in the Minnesota egg
• egg water quality certification program. egg water quality certification program.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• permites uh with the uh municipal permites uh with the uh municipal permites,<01:12:34.239> egg
• 35.440> and<01:12:35.600> and<01:12:36.239> um<01:12:36.880> uh permites, egg
• stakeholders and and um uh permites, egg stakeholders and and um uh agricultural<01:12:38.000> producers

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• these vacancies concerning that we have these vacancies and<00:57:41.200> the<00:57:41.520> egg
• <00:57:44.079> We're and the egg lands are still idle.
• We're and the egg lands are still idle.

Bills: SB2606, SB3253, SB237, SB3252, SB1178, SB2322, SB2019, SB3043, SB3014, SB2972, SB1190, SB2488

Keywords: wildlife sanctuary, environmental conservation, Hawaii, nonprofit corporation, freshwater preservation, community stewardship, biodiversity, ecological heritage, conservation, endangered species, wildlife preservation, native birds, sanctuary, nonprofit, DLNR, agricultural district, land use, chapter 195D, chapter 205, chapter 42F

Summary: The committees heard testimony on several measures related to wildlife, conservation, shoreline adaptation, and climate governance. On SB 2606, which would establish the Freshwater State Recreational Area Wildlife Sanctuary Corporation, the Department of Land and Natural Resources said it had concerns about employee eligibility and was not yet prepared to comment further on the bill’s ramifications. After testimony ended, a senator asked DLNR to follow up with more detail, and the department said it would relay the questions to leadership and respond later. No vote was taken on the measure during the excerpt. On SB 3253, which would create the Hawaii Conservation Sanctuary as a nonprofit entity to work with DLNR, the department said it supported the bill. In discussion, DLNR said Hawaii has not done anything like this before, described a similar model in New Zealand, and estimated that developing such a sanctuary could cost millions of dollars. Members also discussed whether the concept would fit with existing efforts such as Hakalau, and DLNR said the bill could apply to private or state lands depending on the site. No action was taken. The most extensive discussion was on SB 237, which would expand state and county authority to develop adaptation pathways for relocating infrastructure away from sea level rise and coastal flooding areas. DLNR supported the bill, saying it prioritizes public trust resources over economic development or private property. The Kahana Bay Steering Committee and the Shoreline Preservation Coalition opposed the measure, arguing it was too focused on managed retreat and should include a broader range of shoreline responses, such as erosion mitigation, groins, sand nourishment, and other interim protections. The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development said it appreciated the bill’s intent but wanted broader language that would allow more tools in the toolbox. Members debated whether retreat is inevitable, whether different shorelines require different approaches, and whether the bill should be more flexible. No vote was taken. The final measure discussed was SB 3252, which would amend the powers and duties of the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, create a coordinator position, and appropriate funds. The commission’s coordinator testified in support, while OPSD opposed the bill, saying it would remove the two cabinet-level co-chair positions, raise accountability concerns, and duplicate some of OPSD’s functions. In questioning, members debated whether the current commission structure has been effective, who would appoint or confirm the coordinator, and whether the bill would improve transparency and implementation. OPSD said it supported more statewide interdepartmental funding for climate planning and staffing, but had concerns about the proposed governance changes. No vote or final action was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• with 70 different employers employers employers including<01:03:33.640> uh<01:03:34.000> egg
• <01:03:34.760> cities<01:03:35.680> manufacturing including uh egg cities manufacturing
• including uh egg cities manufacturing Hospitality<01:03:37.599> nonprofits<01:03:38.799> retail

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Branch, on Zoom. support next we have oh uh Department of support next we have oh uh Department of egg
• measures<00:11:24.519> measurement<00:11:24.880> and<00:11:25.040> standards egg
• measures measurement and standards egg measures measurement and standards branch<00:11:28.200> on

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on several transportation and consumer-related bills. HB 496, relating to mamaki tea labeling, drew support from the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Weights and Measures, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau, which said the bill would help protect a culturally important crop and the Hawaii brand. Members questioned Agriculture about staffing and whether the bill was being used to reopen a package-labeling inspection branch; the department said it currently has no Oahu inspectors for that function but has a place for an additional inspector. No opposition was registered on the measure. HB 978, relating to electric utilities, and HB 1316, relating to DLNR/park reservations, were also heard. HB 1316 received support from State Parks, and members discussed where reservation fees would go and whether the statewide reservation system for three parks would cover its costs; the committee indicated a change would be made so fees go to the special fund. HB 914, relating to water carriers, drew support or comments from the PUC, Department of Agriculture, Department of Transportation, Young Brothers, and the Hawaii Harbor Users Group. The main discussion focused on the proposed automatic rate-adjustment mechanism tied to the GDP price index, with members asking for alternative index ideas and questioning whether the PUC already had authority to adopt such a mechanism. Young Brothers said the measure would provide clarity and help recover inflationary costs, while the chair raised concerns about repeated rate increases and asked for further testimony on possible alternative indices. HB 1161, relating to transportation and road usage charges, received support from the Insurance Division, DOT, and the State Energy Office, with comments from the Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Hawaii Food Industry Association. Members asked whether counties need state authorization to adopt mileage-based charges and why the bill included funding for implementation; DOT said it is helping counties build the data collection and billing system and that Honolulu is handling much of the collection work. A question was also raised about whether plug-in hybrids would be covered, and DOT said vehicles under the federal electric-vehicle definition would be included. HB 1301, relating to transportation network companies, drew opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice, Lyft, and Uber, all arguing that classifying TNCs as common carriers and changing liability rules would raise costs, reduce access, and disrupt the current statewide framework. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• this is a puzzle I was reaching<01:02:34.160> for<01:02:34.359> the<01:02:34.480> egg
• know<01:02:35.920> um<01:02:36.799> the<01:02:37.000> last reaching for the egg
• I know um the last reaching for the egg I know um the last paragraph<01:02:37.680> of<01:02:37.799

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• through 20 21 I Mr chair um from 2017 through 20 21 I chaired<01:43:24.080> the<01:43:24.239> egg
• <01:43:24.639> housing<01:43:25.040> rural chaired the egg housing rural chaired the
• egg housing rural development<01:43:25.840> policy<01:43:26.239> committee<01:43:27.080

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The last time our fees were raised was back in 1999, back when the price of a dozen eggs was 96 cents
• The last time our fees were raised was back in 1999, back when the price of a dozen eggs was 96 cents
• The last time our fees were raised was back in 1999, back when the price of a dozen eggs was 96 cents

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met on January 28, 2025, to review Governor’s budget proposals for several health-related licensing boards. The chair said no formal action would be taken and noted that final budget language was not yet available. The committee began with an overview from Bridget Anderson of the health-related licensing boards, who explained that the boards are fee-funded, operate as independent executive agencies, and handle licensing, complaints, rulemaking, and disciplinary matters. She also noted that the Board of Dentistry’s budget includes the Administrative Services Unit and criminal background check program, which can make the budget graphs appear larger than the dentistry board’s own operations. The Board of Dentistry requested funding for a new administrative staff position, estimating about $100,000 in salary, insurance, and fringe costs, to replace support lost when an administrative position was reclassified. Anderson said the board handled more than 300 complaints last year, with cases becoming more complex, especially involving surgical and implant procedures and imaging. Members asked about dental Medicaid access, but Anderson said that issue would be better directed to DHS’s Medicaid oral health division. The Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy requested a full-time position due to rapid growth in the number of regulated professionals, from about 4,000 in 2014 to nearly 10,000 now, and also sought authority to set a fee for out-of-state applicants under the Counseling Compact, with a cap of up to $100 though the board expects to charge much less. The Board of Podiatric Medicine asked to raise its fee ceiling, saying fees had not been increased since 1999 and that the board now faces a structural deficit of about $40,000 per year and declining reserves. Several senators expressed concern about “not-to-exceed” fee authority, calling it too open-ended and suggesting the legislature should scrutinize specific fee needs rather than approve broad ceilings. Similar concerns were raised during the Board of Chiropractic Examiners presentation, where the board sought $100,000 in additional spending authority and a fee increase after 32 years without an adjustment; members questioned the proposed ceiling approach and asked for more historical information before deciding. The Board of Dietetics and Nutrition Practice also discussed fee-setting authority, with the executive director explaining that the board had previously lowered fees without clear authority and later faced audit questions; she requested funding for a vacant administrative position, saying applications and revenues have increased sharply and no fee increase would be needed. The final presentation began with the Board of Pharmacy, which said it serves more than 26,000 licensees and oversees the Prescription Monitoring Program and opioid product registration. The board requested an extension of previously appropriated general fund dollars through fiscal year 2027 to continue paying legal costs tied to the insulin safety net lawsuit, emphasizing that this was not a new funding request but an extension of existing authority. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• pasture management that might be more of pasture management that might be more of an<00:54:25.200> egg
• <00:54:25.520> thing<00:54:25.880> than<00:54:26.200> than an egg thing than
• than an egg thing than than related<00:54:27.920> to<00:54:28.920> sen<00:54:29.599>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AND SOMETIMES A KID WHO CANNOT READ ON GRADE LEVEL OR DO MATH ON GRADE LEVEL WILL NOT AND SOMETIMES A
• KID WHO CANNOT READ ON GRADE LEVEL OR DO MATH ON GRADE LEVEL WILL NOT WANT TO RAISE THEIR HAND AND DO
• PROGRAMS WE FOCUS ON WHAT I WOULD SAY ARE THREE BASELINE CREDENTIALS ARE FOR ALL KIDS NO MATTER WHAT GRADE
• MONTHS FROM KIDS WHO HAVE REENTERED THE LOCAL SCHOOL AND HEARD BACK FROM WHERE THEY ARE MATCHING UP GRADE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• they get closer to the eighth grade. they get closer to the eighth grade.
• literacy law into the eighth grade. literacy law into the eighth grade.
• some grades have more than one. some grades have more than one.
• grade level. I thought it was fantastic. grade level. I thought it was fantastic.
• grade reading gate, the sky will fall. grade reading gate, the sky will fall.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 15 January, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a quorum present, and approval to dispense with the reading of the journal. Members introduced guests from Humphreys County and South Haven, then moved to the calendar and took up House Bill 2, a broad education-related measure. The bill was called up, the rules were suspended, and a committee substitute was adopted. An initial amendment correcting drafting errors in the charter school section and subsection numbering was then adopted without objection. Members then gave extended explanations of HB 2, describing it as a comprehensive school choice and education reform package. Supporters said the bill would create Magnolia student accounts/education savings accounts funded from existing per-pupil dollars, prioritize lower-income families, require testing and financial audits, expand special needs ESAs, and allow public-to-public transfers without a sending district veto. The bill also would expand charter schools into districts with D or F schools, create an accountability dashboard for public and private school reporting, expand the Tim Tebow Act for homeschool extracurricular participation, extend literacy and math requirements through eighth grade, adjust teacher and assistant teacher pay and retirement-related provisions, create a specialized school option program, and require a federal testing waiver. Supporters framed the measure as empowering parents while preserving public schools. During questions, members raised concerns about charter schools, the cost of the program, accountability, and whether the bill would help or harm public education. One member asked whether failing charter schools were addressed; the response was that the bill was aimed at reconstituting the system rather than directly fixing those schools. Another questioned why a child accepted for transfer could still be denied by a receiving district; the bill sponsor said districts would set and publish acceptance policies and could deny students for lack of room. The discussion remained focused on the bill’s scope and policy rationale, and the transcript does not show a final vote on passage of HB 2 in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• He's now in eighth grade, and he's a boy.
• He's now in eighth grade, and he's a boy.
• He's now in eighth grade, and he's a boy.
• He's now in eighth grade, and he's a boy.
• He's now in eighth grade, and he's a boy.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This tag is a personal thing to me because there was a fourth grade class that came up with this idea
• there<00:11:13.279> was<00:11:13.440> a<00:11:13.839> fourth<00:11:14.160> grade
• <00:11:14.560> class<00:11:15.519> that<00:11:15.920> came there was a fourth grade
• class that came there was a fourth grade class that came up<00:11:16.240> with<00:11:16.480><
• And I wish that you would honor my husband, uh, and that fourth grade class and their teacher as well

Bills: SB211, SB305, SB300, SB211, SB305, SB300

Keywords: school safety, local law enforcement, superintendent, complaints, school bus regulations, education funding, RAISE Act, student outcomes, public schools, local education agencies, accountability, weighted allocations, special education, English language learners, gifted students, tax exemption, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, business incentives, economic impact