Transcript Highlights:

• And sometimes it means that our staff salaries are lower as a result of that.
• And sometimes it means that our staff salaries are lower as a result of that.
• We have published over 15 peer-reviewed studies on Massachusetts charter schools.
• These studies use rigorous lottery-based methods.
• So my role is to study and analyze various education policy.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a lengthy hearing on a large slate of bills focused primarily on charter school policy and vocational technical education. Committee members opened with ground rules for testimony, including a two-minute limit, written testimony acceptance, and a live-streamed format. The committee then heard testimony on bills to expand collective bargaining rights in Horace Mann and Innovation Schools, reform charter school funding and reimbursement, allow enrollment preferences for high-need students in charter lotteries, and require BESE to consider district impacts when approving new or expanded charters. Several witnesses, including union leaders, parents, educators, and legislators, argued that charter growth has strained district budgets and that funding formulas should be reworked to better protect public schools; charter advocates and alumni countered that charter schools serve high-need students well and should not be penalized for their success. A major portion of the hearing focused on vocational technical education bills, including proposals to expand access and capacity, create a large grant program, and increase MSBA reimbursement rates for vocational school construction. Supporters described long waitlists, strong labor-market demand, and the higher cost of building and maintaining vocational schools, while municipal officials emphasized the tax burden on local communities. The committee also heard testimony on charter school reimbursement bills that would extend the state’s reimbursement schedule, with witnesses from districts such as Boston, Worcester, Fall River, and New Bedford describing large net losses to charter tuition and arguing for longer reimbursement periods and structural reform. The committee took no final votes during the hearing. In one instance, the chair said a bill would be held open until a missing senator could testify. Members asked several detailed questions about charter admissions lotteries, special education placements, funding formulas, and the practical effects of proposed charter caps and reimbursement changes. The hearing remained informational, with witnesses and committee members presenting sharply different views on whether the bills would improve equity and opportunity or harm existing public school systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is not definitive data at this time; however, it is being studied.
• I read a study about five years ago that said that individuals of the Catholic faith, especially the
• I don't know if you're familiar with other types of anecdotal studies that prove to be effective.
• money, we used some of our funds to have this study done.
• But we will definitely be investigating that in our study.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, that same Boston public school teacher would need about 11 times their salary to buy a home.
• One recent study found that the average cost to build a low-income unit in California was $708,000.
• Studies have shown up 24% of the cost of a new home could be that zoning requirement.
• I study housing markets. I study cities and other places.
• Because when we're talking about ELI, extremely low income households, we did a study.

Keywords: affordable housing, government investment, barriers, legislative solutions, public testimony

Summary: The committee meeting focused on addressing the significant issue of affordable housing in America. Members expressed concern over the persistent barriers faced in the housing sector, despite substantial government investment aimed at alleviating these issues. It was highlighted that government interference plays a critical role in complicating the housing landscape, and discussions revolved around potential legislative approaches to mitigate these challenges. Several witnesses provided testimony, contributing to a thorough exploration of the topic.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill establishes a commission to study Bill establishes a commission to study the<00:40:01.079><
• I just would like to add my support to the study committee, understanding the effort to get rid of study
• Representative D, you know, study committees and their charges, I have other study committee legislation
• days secondly if you're a salaried days secondly if you're a salaried employee<01:34:27.600>
• We will study this a bit more.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing opened on House Bill 192, which concerns the Joint Committee on Employee Classification process for state employee positions. Representative Peter Schmidt explained that the bill is a procedural step to send already-reviewed classifications to Korn Ferry and then into statute and the budget. Department of Corrections staff and Commissioner Helen Hanks testified that one Deputy Director of Medical Services position had been omitted from the bill by mistake even though it had already gone through the JCEC process, and they asked for an amendment to add it. Hanks clarified that the position is an existing classified job being converted to unclassified status, not a new position. The committee discussed how the amendment would work and the quorum requirements for the JCEC, then closed the hearing on HB 192 after no further testimony. The committee then heard House Bill 435, sponsored by Representative Don McFarland, which would clarify professional engineering licensure law. McFarland said the bill is intended to make clear that work in IT security, electronics, digital systems, computing, and software is not the practice of engineering requiring a professional engineer license, while preserving licensure requirements for fields such as civil, structural, and building-related engineering. He said he had consulted with the American Council of Engineering Companies and that the bill is meant to remove ambiguity and legal risk, not deregulate engineering. Several members with engineering backgrounds spoke in support, describing the distinction between licensed PE work and other technical fields, and one member noted that software development and regulated software work typically do not require a PE license. The committee voted ought to pass on HB 435 by a roll call of 16-0 and placed it on consent. Finally, the committee opened House Bill 210, which would create a commission to study the New Hampshire state flag. Representative Tom Corman argued that the current flag is a generic “state seal on a blue bedsheet” and does not meet common vexillological design principles such as simplicity, meaningful symbolism, limited colors, and distinctiveness. He said the proposed commission would include legislative members plus representatives of the New Hampshire Historical Society and the New England Vexillological Association, and would review the flag’s history and recommend whether to redesign it and how to do so. He also indicated he intended to add language to avoid costs, but the bill discussion was not completed in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• for allocation to the State Public Charter School Authority to provide money to charter schools for salary
• for allocation to the State Public Charter School Authority to provide money to charter schools for salary
• been very involved in the theater costume design program and won an award for being the top social studies
• Out of the same per-pupil funds that pay for salaries or instructional materials, that's the choice that
• have to pay your rent first, and then whatever's left over is for instructional materials and for salaries

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Leader Pizzo: Wouldn't a study take 50 days and 20 grand to arrive at the same conclusion?
• Most of a million is provided for the salaries and benefits associated with establishing 70 positions
• He said, as a state and nation, we invested in the education of the students as they pursue studies in
• The young people sitting in The classroom in are probably studying while we are sitting here.
• I think there are studies out there that show children of undocumented immigrants have contributed to

Bills: SJR36, SR8, SR14, SR15, SR17, HCR54

Keywords: accountants, Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, advocacy, legislation, business issues, memorial, law enforcement, sacrifice, tribute, community support, service, community, Holocaust, remembrance, antisemitism, human rights, education, Holocaust Remembrance Day, memorialization, sexual assault

Transcript Highlights:

• The fund that the legislature approved pays 50% of the salary for those two years.
• Calculation of starting salaries would be simplified to change with the times.
• Right now we've limited the salaries to $50,000 in statute.
• Chair: That means we're constantly having to keep track of marketplace salaries and statute.
• Chair: Adjust this every few years to track the salary, so I think it's a good idea.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have around 25,000 students and offer more than 100 fields of study.
• We have around 25,000 students and offer more than 100 fields of study.
• It helps students attain work-study.
• But what truly made the difference for me was the work-study program.
• in the work-study, my time was limited.

Summary: The committee first adopted its 2025-26 rules on a 7-0 roll call, then approved three consent items—AB 88, AB 240, and AB 313—on a due-pass motion to Appropriations. The hearing then moved to AB 648, which would give community college districts the same zoning authority as the UC and CSU systems to build student and staff housing on property they own or lease. The author and supporters argued the bill would help address severe housing insecurity and homelessness among community college students, while opponents and some members raised concerns about local control, zoning exemptions, and the impact on nearby communities. AB 648 passed the committee on a 5-2 vote and was sent to the Local Government Committee. The committee next heard AB 466, which would require California Community Colleges and CSU campuses to provide organ and tissue donor registry information during student orientation, and request UC campuses to do the same. Supporters shared personal stories about transplants and donation, saying college orientation is a good opportunity to increase registrations. Some members worried about information overload during orientation and suggested campuses have flexibility in how they present the material, but the bill advanced on a unanimous 7-0 vote to Appropriations. AB 326 followed, proposing campus-by-campus external audits of the CSU every three years and public release of the audits. The author, faculty supporters, and a student argued that systemwide audits do not provide enough transparency about how money is spent at individual campuses, citing examples of financial mismanagement and fee increases. CSU opposed the bill, saying it already conducts annual consolidated external audits and that campus-level audits would add cost without added benefit. After extensive discussion about transparency, audit scope, and implementation, the bill passed 6-1 to Appropriations. The committee then took up AB 335, which would create a California Black-Serving Institution Grant Program to support Black student success and broader underserved student services; supporters emphasized persistent equity gaps and low completion rates, while an opponent argued the bill needed to be carefully amended to comply with Proposition 209 and equal protection requirements. The transcript ends during that item’s discussion, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, as the UK and UofL and Eastern study this and decide how to get doctors out in the field, if we do
• So, a lot of the doctors are gravitating toward that rural health care because they're on a salary, they
• So, a lot of the doctors are gravitating toward that rural health care because they're on a salary, they
• So, we skew a lot of our studies, and that really pains my heart if we're really trying to fix something
• we [snorts] we skew a lot of our studies we [snorts] we skew a lot of our studies and<00:29:13.800

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and first took up Senate Joint Resolution 116, sponsored by President Stivers. The resolution directs the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville, and Eastern Kentucky University to work over the next year on a statewide framework to improve health care access, especially in underserved and unserved areas. Members discussed physician shortages, maldistribution of doctors, recruitment and retention, loan forgiveness, scholarships, technology, and the connection between health care access and economic development in rural Kentucky. The resolution was reported favorably on a unanimous roll call vote. The committee then considered Senate Bill 116, relating to physician assistants and a shift from a supervisory to a collaborative practice model. The sponsor and PA witnesses explained that the bill was heavily revised through a committee substitute after discussions with the Kentucky Medical Association, physicians, and hospitals. They said the substitute keeps physician supervision in place while allowing health care teams to function more efficiently, and they emphasized that the bill is intended to improve access to care, particularly in rural areas with few doctors. Some members supported the compromise and the collaboration, while others raised concerns that expanding PA practice could worsen long-term physician shortages or reduce incentives for doctors to practice in rural Kentucky. The bill passed the committee 7-2 with favorable expression.

Transcript Highlights:

• up by by handing out a 20-year study up by by handing out a 20-year study called<01:18:23.120>
• make us stronger but a massive new study make us stronger but a massive new study based<04:20:28.239
• <04:20:50.319> the homogenous settings the study the homogenous settings the study the largest
• has never been refuted or modified with any other studies.
• <04:39:40.718> that said I have looked at those studies that said I have looked at those studies

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing and then an executive session on HB 650, a housekeeping-style bill from the Joint Committee on Dedicated Funds. Testimony explained that the bill would remove references to two already-repealed dedicated funds, split the state parks dedicated fund so Cannon Mountain winter activities would be tracked separately from the rest of the parks system, and place a $1 million cap on the robotics education fund so excess money would revert to the general fund. Supporters said the changes were mainly administrative but would improve accounting and avoid timing issues; committee members asked about a typographical error in the bill text and whether the measure was more than housekeeping. The committee later voted 16-0 to recommend HB 650 ought to pass, and then placed it on the consent calendar. The committee also opened a public hearing on HB 585, which would revise the property tax exemption for religious organizations. Representative John Janigian, the sponsor, said the bill was intended to help small churches and other religious groups that own parsonages or worship buildings but no longer have a resident pastor, allowing them to rent space or use property for church purposes without losing the exemption so long as the money is used for church operations, maintenance, or outreach. He described his Salem church’s parsonage being taxed after it was no longer occupied by a pastor, and said the bill would prevent similar burdens on small congregations. Former Representative Betty Gay testified in support, describing prior assessor actions in Salem that taxed church land and buildings very aggressively, while a Municipal Association representative testified in opposition. Committee members raised questions about how terms such as “regularly recognized and constituted denomination” would be defined, whether the bill could be applied consistently to larger denominations with multiple parishes, and whether legislative research should review past treatment of similar cases.

Transcript Highlights:

• We filled the role, and it now accounts for my salary. Okay, great. And what's going on with dues?
• <00:16:10.800> okay and it now accounts for my salary okay and it now accounts for my salary
• We provide effectively in-kind matches relative to salaries and rent and things of that nature that do
• and rent and things of that salaries and rent and things of that nature<00:22:14.880> that<00
• They're now going out and they're doing their study in New York City to determine what the return on

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on the Department of Business and Economic Affairs budget, with testimony from Chase Hegman and Kathy Frederickson. Early discussion focused on staffing and vacancies, including a senior planner position tied to FEMA requirements, a program assistant funded by federal ORID dollars, a program specialist being considered for reclassification, two Housing Champions positions to be funded in the next biennium, and temporary welcome center positions. Members also reviewed the commissioner’s office, indirect cost recoveries tied to federal program administration, and the structure and staffing of rest areas and welcome centers, including the Turnpike-funded locations and seasonal staffing patterns. Members then moved through economic development and federal grant-related accounts. Hegman explained that a large share of the agency’s funding is federal, with some programs requiring state match, including the Apex Accelerator, which supports government contracting assistance for businesses. He described Apex as a small team that helps businesses with DOD and other contracting opportunities through webinars, matchmaking, and one-on-one support. The Office of Workforce Opportunity was described as largely federally funded through Commerce-related workforce programs and subrecipients, with some general fund support for agency-wide needs. The Northern Borders Regional Commission dues and capacity grant were also discussed, with officials explaining the state’s required contribution and the federal funds used to administer the program. A major point of discussion was the proposed reduction to the Small Business Development Center, which officials said provides one-on-one technical assistance to new and small businesses and has a strong return on investment. Members questioned the cut, the federal funding sources, and whether there was a waiting list for services; officials said they would provide more detail on matching requirements and funding. The committee also reviewed travel and tourism accounts, including the joint promotional grant program and tourism advertising funds, both of which are proposed to increase. Officials said the tourism marketing formula is based on a percentage of meals and rooms tax revenue and argued that the spending generates significant visitor spending and tax revenue, citing an outside ROI study and examples of advertising in test markets. No votes were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• So with that, I am going to turn this bill into a study.
• So I'll make a motion to defer your bill today since you're going to bring the study resolution.
• Without objection, we will defer that bill as you continue on with the study resolution.
• then there would be the board of aldermen, upon a recommendation of the mayor, would establish the salary

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• focus was assisting the Legislative council Service and developing a space and furniture assessment study
• Uh, one of the other studies that we completed in 2024 was a master plan for the Mexico Fire Training
• We are also in the midst of a major master plan study for the New Mexico Corrections Department, and
• , I, if I read correctly, there is an opportunity for the vendor to provide an increase in their salaries

Transcript Highlights:

• I also like, I guess it's better, the part about creating a work group and studying the enhancements
• I could be supportive of having some study done, but I'm just not sure this is the right way to achieve
• I feel like we are... studying the work, but this is so prescriptive.
• And then what is the scale of, you know, salary for that position that we're creating right here in this
• I normally know that we add FTEs, you know, with salary, with numbers, but I'm not aware of us adding

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• programs by initiating rate studies programs by initiating rate studies along<01:15:51.800> with
• <01:16:00.440> we recommendations from those studies we recommendations from those studies
• Plymouth State University I'm studying Plymouth State University I'm studying political<02:18:29.000
• <02:55:16.600> education coordinator of social studies education coordinator of social studies
• the next generation of social studies the next generation of social studies teachers<02:55:33.520

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Committee opened a public hearing on House Bills 1 and 2, which concern the governor’s proposed FY 2026-2027 budget. The chair explained that the committee must fit the budget to House Ways and Means revenue, which is about $800 million below the governor’s estimate in an almost $16 billion budget. He also noted a projected current-budget overspend, the impact of recently passed legislation, possible fee updates, no new tax proposals at that time, and the importance of federal funding and Medicaid stability. Testimony was limited to three minutes, with the chair asking speakers to avoid duplication. Much of the testimony focused on Medicaid, disability services, and home- and community-based care. Speakers urged the committee to restore or protect funding for transportation, Medicaid, day programs, in-home supports, and behavioral health services. Several individuals and providers described how cuts would affect people with disabilities, medically fragile children, and families who rely on services to remain employed and avoid institutional care. A home care provider argued that a proposed 3% Medicaid cut would increase hospitalizations and costs, while a behavioral health representative asked for sustainable Medicaid rates, uncompensated care support, housing resources, and continued funding for community behavioral health clinics. Another major topic was the Group II retirement provisions in HB 2 for public safety workers. Representatives from police, fire, corrections, probation/parole, and related associations testified in support, saying prior pension changes hurt recruitment and retention, pushed experienced workers to neighboring states, and should be reversed to restore promised benefits. They argued the provisions would help keep public safety careers viable and honor commitments made to first responders. An executive counselor also warned that when the state shifts costs away from itself, local property taxpayers bear the burden, and she opposed cost shifts such as Medicaid premiums and universal vouchers. A separate speaker urged funding public schools rather than universal vouchers, arguing vouchers can leave other students behind as resources are diverted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hummel, you know, the study that we've got here, the last part of the study, talks about the The study
• The salary portion is based on a calculation of estimated salary expenses using the total hours employees
• This study that we're doing is a serious study, and there's a lot of money involved in it, and there's
• So the study is ongoing.
• And so I think in the traffic context, there are studies that show that it matters and those studies

Summary: The Judiciary Interim Committee met to begin its study of charitable gaming and the ownership of alcoholic beverage establishments by licensed charitable gaming organizations, a study directed by Senate Bill 2334. Legislative Council gave an overview of the constitutional and statutory framework for charitable gaming, site authorizations, rent limits, proceeds, and recent legislative changes. The Attorney General’s Gaming Division then clarified the financial flow of gaming, explaining that in fiscal year 2025 North Dakota had about $2.5 billion in gross gaming proceeds, with roughly 88-90% paid back in prizes and about $256 million available to organizations after taxes; most of that activity came from electronic pull tabs. Members asked for more detail on winnings, replays, rent, and the breakdown of manufacturer/distributor revenues, and the AG’s office agreed to provide supplemental information. The committee also heard from the League of Cities and the Association of Counties about local site authorization. Cities said they have a limited role in approving gaming sites, can adopt policies after public hearing, may charge up to $100, and can set certain conditions, including local nexus requirements, but cannot require donations or force a specific charity or site. The League said it had worked with stakeholders on a model policy to provide more consistency, though members raised concerns that local requirements could become too restrictive for charities serving broader areas. Counties said the issue is mostly a city matter, with little county involvement beyond minimal site fees and general site approval. The North Dakota Gaming Alliance testified in support of the study and provided IRS-related material suggesting charities may use asset diversification, while emphasizing it had not taken a position on whether charities should own bars. Members questioned whether bar ownership is being used for site stability or to channel charitable gaming dollars, and whether city policies might disadvantage charities with broader missions. The committee also discussed the relationship between gaming organizations, manufacturers, and distributors, including restrictions on incentives and interference, and asked for more information on those entities and their ownership. Later in the meeting, the Racing Commission gave its regular update on live racing, pari-mutuel wagering, ADW providers, purse and promotion funds, a new TRPB contract, and concerns about cease-and-desist actions from other states. Finally, the State Hospital superintendent briefly reported on the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s support services, including the SORT team, training, and security assistance for the hospital campus.

Transcript Highlights:

• Study.
• Hummel, you know, the study that we've got here, the last part of the study, talks about the...
• The study that we've got here, the last part of the study, talks about the interaction between gaming
• This study that we're doing is a serious study, and there's a lot of money involved in it, and there's
• So the study is ongoing.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Individual referred to the Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs HB 1043 by Bojani relating to a study
• AB 1054 by Derazio relating to the study of the Attorney General of the feasibility of linking debit
• HB 1136 by GAMA is relating to the study conducted by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles regarding
• HBLM 45 by Morales-Shaw relating to a study regarding the use of lufyyrol and polyphyloyrol chemicals
• HB 1171 by Raymond related to the study on the state land and use of facilitate health and wellness for

Transcript Highlights:

• us with this year, of course, while introducing an amending into a Section 1 bill directing JCHC to study
• And I kind of have to question when COVID hit, particularly nurses' salaries really increased.
• the big pieces of the strategy from late summer to help fill those vacancies was offering higher salaries
• respond to some of those pressures in the field to make sure that we're, whether it's increasing salaries
• ongoing conversation, whether it's making the job attractive, I think it... ...whether it's increasing salaries

Keywords: House Room C, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• was made to offer $10,000 stipends for special education teachers based on the average teacher's salary
• responses were telling administrative support, that was that was the most cited factor, followed by salary
• administrative support for the bureaucracy side of special ed was probably way more important to me than salary
• way it works is we actually pay for those EAs while they are still in the school, so we pay their salaries
• Um, and, and I know the, uh, the scholarship that she has put into the studies she's doing in her, her