Transcript Highlights:

• And so, really it's up to how that local school district is delivering the test.
• test, it may school but want to take the test, it may be a little bit unfamiliar to those students because
• because the school has been gearing up to take the test versus the students who are just coming in to
• So the Bow school teachers are not going to see that test score; they're not going to get the data or
• So, it's an opportunity for that school to take the test, but we just deliver that data to that school

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Freedom Account Oversight Committee met on March 27 and approved the agenda, adding a request for clarification on how the Children’s Scholarship Fund separates applications for the EFA program and the education tax credit program. The committee also approved minutes from December 30, 2025, and March 27, 2026, with a request that the March minutes include a link to the live stream. Members discussed the status of pending Legislative Budget Assistant audit reports on EFA and special education, noting the reports were still not released and would likely come later in the summer after review by the Department of Education and the Children’s Scholarship Fund. A major topic was the EFA program’s administrative fee, which statute allows up to 10% of deposits. Children’s Scholarship Fund representatives said current administrative costs were under 8%, that staffing had been reduced through the ScholarVia platform, and that any unused amount is reconciled and returned to students at year’s end. Members asked for historical administrative-cost data and a written explanation of how the withholding and reconciliation process works. The committee also reviewed the distinction between the EFA and education tax credit funding streams and was told the two programs use separate applications and separate funds, though both use the same platform. The committee spent substantial time on assessment and accountability. Department of Education staff explained that EFA students may satisfy annual assessment requirements through a portfolio, a norm-referenced test, or the statewide assessment; only about 10 EFA students took the statewide assessment, while most used portfolios or standardized tests such as the California Achievement Test and NWEA. Staff described how statewide assessment data are kept separate by student identifier and can be aggregated for EFA reporting, and members asked for breakdowns by grade, test type, and school district. The department also discussed linking assessments through Lexiles and Quantiles and said it could provide a list of commonly used formative assessments in New Hampshire districts. The committee additionally discussed a possible PSAT addition to the state contract and the costs of the statewide assessment program. Another major issue was special education eligibility and services within the EFA program. Members questioned the rule allowing a medical certification of disability from a licensed professional anywhere in the United States as an alternative to an IEP-based determination. Department staff said the current system allows either pathway, that about 1,000 EFA students are identified as special education students, and that the program does not track growth or service alignment on an individual basis. Members expressed concern that the medical-certification route may be too broad and asked for data on the disability categories used. The committee also discussed career and technical education access for EFA students, noting that Senate Bill 491 would provide guidance and that House Bill 1817 would address access and funding issues, but that current law still allows EFA funds to be used to pay CTE costs. The meeting ended with a request for future agenda items and a decision to leave the next meeting date open until fall, pending further information from the LBA audit process.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because I know, and I recall back in high school, that we had tests and it didn't really count toward
• Number one, our schools have made a tremendous effort over the last four years to improve those test
• For schools below the national average, the public schools averaged 39.9 failures per school.
• Right now, a school has to have two years of low test scores below that 10% threshold, and then they
• but if you have to retake the test, and with how much we're paying our school social workers, it does

Summary: The Careers and Workforce Subcommittee heard three bills. HB 919 on nursing education programs would tighten accountability for nursing schools with low NCLEX pass rates by shortening the probation period, requiring remediation plans, mandating free remediation for students who fail, and requiring tuition reimbursement for programs with very low pass rates. The sponsor argued Florida’s nursing pass rates are unacceptably low and that stronger consequences are needed; opponents warned the bill could shut down programs, worsen the nursing shortage, and unfairly target private schools, while supporters said it would protect students and improve outcomes. After debate, the bill was reported favorably by a vote of 18-0. The committee then heard PCS for HB 1261, the “Smart Living Act,” a student-driven proposal from Jefferson High School in Hillsborough County to expand personal financial literacy and practical life-skills instruction in high school. Students and school officials testified that the bill would better prepare graduates for adulthood by covering topics such as budgeting, credit, loans, FAFSA, resumes, interviews, and basic household skills. Members praised the students’ work and the bill’s practical focus, and the PCS was reported favorably 18-0. Finally, the committee considered HB 809, which would exempt school social workers from educator certification requirements for general and subject-area knowledge. Supporters from Lee and Broward counties said the current testing requirement is unrelated to social work, creates financial and recruitment barriers, and has contributed to staffing shortages. Members from both parties supported the measure as a simple way to remove an obstacle to hiring and retaining school social workers. HB 809 was also reported favorably by a vote of 18-0, and the meeting adjourned after all agenda items were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• . test. test.
• If a school wants to add more, fine. But that is what they should be tested on.
• If you test the child every single child at the beginning of the school year and then that teacher teaches
• If a school wants to add more, fine. But that is what they should be tested on.
• If you test the child every single child at the beginning of the school year and then that teacher teaches

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Public schools offer norm-referenced tests to seniors in high school. the Iowa test today.
• Public schools offer norm reference tests to seniors in high school.
• Public schools in states with school choice see improvement in test scores at faster rates.
• Norm-referenced tests are not a pass or fail type test for schools to take.
• Yeah, norm-referenced tests are not a pass or fail type test for schools to take.

Bills: SB 2

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of high school seniors tested.
• So these states in 2024 tested between 90 and 100% of high school graduates for the 2024 school year.
• , lowest in the F schools, but actually higher in the C schools than in the B schools.
• I know it's a new test, but I would like to know how many schools, what percentage were each one of these
• I know it's a new test, but I would like to know how many schools, what percentage were each one of these

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The committee received a Bureau of Legislative Research presentation on Arkansas academic standards, accountability, and achievement as part of the adequacy study. Staff reviewed how state curriculum and standards have evolved from the 1997 Public Education Act, the 2003 Quality Education Act, and the 2017 Educational Support and Accountability Act, including required course offerings, graduation requirements, career and technical education pathways, and recent additions such as success-ready pathways, Arkansas history, firearm safety, and fetal growth and development instruction. Members asked for a comparative chart showing how the laws and requirements changed over time, and staff agreed to provide one. The presentation then turned to the federal ESSA plan and Arkansas’s state accountability system. Staff explained the state’s long-term goals for 2030, including 80% proficiency in ELA and math, 52% of English learners on track to English proficiency, and 94%/97% four- and five-year graduation rates. They reviewed 2025 assessment results showing proficiency rates generally in the 30s, with English learners and students with disabilities performing lowest and white students highest. They also discussed school support and improvement categories, equitable access to educators, and report card/public reporting requirements, noting that some ESSA-related measures such as the school index, equity labs, and certain 2024 report card data were not currently available or not being calculated. Members questioned whether those ESSA commitments were being met and asked staff to follow up with DESE, including whether the legislature can revise the ESSA plan. The committee also reviewed the Arkansas Accountability Act and related assessment data. Staff described the Atlas assessment system, alternate assessments for students with significant cognitive disabilities, ELPA 21 for English learners, ACT results, and NAEP comparisons. They reported that no student group met the 80% proficiency goal in 2025, Arkansas’s ACT composite score declined slightly over time, and Arkansas generally trailed national and SREB averages on NAEP. Members asked for additional data, including historical highs and lows, the number of assessments students take by grade, dropout data, and comparisons with other states. The meeting ended with agreement to invite the Department of Education to a future meeting to answer questions about missing data, equity labs, report cards, and ESSA compliance.

Transcript Highlights:

• of high school seniors tested.
• These states in 2024 tested between 90% and 100% of high school graduates for the 2024 school year, so
• So these states in 2024 tested between 90 and 100% of high school graduates for the 24 school year.
• I know it's a new test, but I would like to know how many schools, what percentage were each one of these
• I know it's a new test, but I would like to know how many schools, what percentage were each one of these

Summary: The committee received a lengthy Bureau of Legislative Research presentation on Arkansas academic standards, accountability systems, and adequacy requirements. Staff reviewed how state curriculum and standards have evolved from the 1997 Public Education Act through the 2003 Quality Education Act and the 2017 Educational Support and Accountability Act, including required coursework, standards for accreditation, career and technical education, graduation requirements, and recent additions such as computer science, personal finance, firearm safety, and fetal growth and development instruction. Members asked for a chart comparing the major laws and repeals over time, and staff agreed to provide one. The presentation then turned to federal ESSA requirements and Arkansas’s state accountability system. Staff explained Arkansas’s long-term goals for proficiency, English learner progress, and graduation rates, and reported 2025 ATLAS proficiency results, which remained below the 80% goal across student groups. They also reviewed English learner progress, graduation rates, school support and improvement, and equitable access to educators. Data showed gaps by subgroup and by school poverty/minority concentration, with Title I and high-poverty schools more likely to have emergency/provisional teachers and less experienced staff. Members questioned the lack of recent data for some ESSA measures, including equity labs and school index calculations, and asked staff to follow up with the Department of Education. The committee also discussed NAEP results, ACT scores, and teacher quality measures under the state accountability act. Arkansas’s NAEP performance remained below national averages in fourth- and eighth-grade reading and math, and ACT composite scores and benchmark attainment were also reviewed. Members asked for additional information on historical highs and lows, the number of assessments students take by grade, dropout data, and comparisons with other states. No formal votes were taken; the main action was agreement to request additional information from DESE and to schedule department follow-up at a future meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• School Library Books.
• We reviewed 15 school districts and two charter schools.
• school Wi-Fi.
• Through the local school board. So it was aligned with the school board.
• This is really like I've been to many school board meetings where school board elected school board members

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Maybe I won't test it right now. I'll test it a little later.
• We get him in med school. All right, Rep. Chassion, for questions. Just to piggyback off of Rep.
• There are children in this state who have to get up every day, go to school, have to try to perform,
• At the task force, a provider testified about making a report of sexual abuse of a child in a school.
• School lets out at 3:30. And so that's when we receive a lot of reports.

Bills: HR267, HCR105, HCR107, HCR110, HCR113, HCR114, SB4, SB52, SB57, SB145, SB152, SB194, SB237, SB333, SB433, SB483, SCR37

Keywords: diabetes, amputation, amputations, diabetic foot ulcer, peripheral artery disease, PAD, wound care, podiatry, vascular disease, endocrinology, limb salvage, health policy, public health, healthcare costs, insurance coverage, Louisiana Department of Health, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Louisiana Center for Health Innovation, patient education, screening

Transcript Highlights:

• Right test check 12ic test check 12.
• Schools have gotten Some federal money back to the switched to geothermal systems.

Bills: SB1732, SB1217, SB1443, SB1455, SB1457, SB1459, SB1465, SB1944, SB1946, SB1218, SB1942, SB1352, SB2132, SB1920, SB1285, SB1304, SB1305, SB1326, SB1590, SB1767

Keywords: professional licensing, licensing fees, home inspection, home inspector, Construction Industries Board, CIB, contractor license, journeyman license, apprentice registration, alarm endorsement, code inspector, electrical license, plumbing license, mechanical license, permit fees, renewal fee, reciprocity, poultry house contractor, poultry house wiring, environmentally controlled poultry house

Transcript Highlights:

• include a pediatric mobile van, which is unusual for a rural hospital and visits multiple elementary schools
• All right, now, with any exemption, OK, with the exception of school, because we’re going to pick up
• all the school costs, OK, then when you’re looking at a city, there is a shift if you raise a homestead

Bills: SB1331, SB1375, SB1443, SB1578, SB2251, SB2519, SB2553, SB2655, SB2764, SB2907, SB3030, SB3033, SB3035, SB3036, SB3037, SB3043, SB3047, SB3050, SB3051, SB3056, SB3057, SB3063, HB9, HB467, HB331, HB1244, HB1399, HB2559, HB2730, HB3307, HJR1, HJR99, SB3048, SB3052, SB3053, SJR78, HB1327, HB2723

Keywords: civil service, firefighters, police officers, municipalities, local government, repeal, voter petition, health care, provider participation, continuation programs, population-based regulation, health care provider participation, Medicaid, hospital funding, voluntary compliance, mandatory payments, public health, healthcare program, county participation, nonpublic hospitals

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government heard several bills, most of them left pending after brief public testimony. House Bill 331, by Rep. Patterson and sponsored by Sen. Hinojosa, would create a presumption that firefighters, police officers, and EMTs who suffer a heart attack or stroke within eight hours after a strenuous shift were injured in the line of duty for workers’ compensation purposes; testimony from a firefighters’ association supported the bill, and it was left pending. Senate Bill 2655, by Sen. Flores, would authorize Burnet County to establish a local provider participation fund to help support local hospital services; a hospital administrator testified in support, and the committee substitute was left pending. Senate Bill 1443, by Sen. Hughes, would extend the Northeast Healthcare Provider Participation District in three counties, and House Bill 3307, by Rep. Noble, would allow property tax arbitrators to complete required continuing education online; both were left pending without opposition. Senate Bill 3048, by Sen. Birdwell, would create the Bluebonnet Hills Municipal Management District in Midlothian and was also left pending. The committee then took up House Bill 9 and HJR 1, sponsored by Sen. Bettencourt, which would raise the business personal property tax exemption from $2,500 to $125,000 and place the constitutional amendment on the November 4, 2025 ballot. Business groups, realtors, and taxpayers’ advocates testified in strong support, saying the change would provide meaningful relief to small businesses and help balance earlier homeowner tax relief. The City of Fort Worth testified in opposition, warning of a revenue shift to homeowners and budget impacts, but the committee adopted the committee substitutes and reported both measures to the full Senate on 6-0 votes. The committee also heard House Bill 1399 and HJR 99, by Sen. Nichols, to exempt animal feed from property tax when it is already sales-tax exempt; no one testified against them, and both were left pending. Senate Bill 2553, by Sen. West, would let owners of historic archaeological sites protest land and structure appraisals separately, and it was left pending after supportive testimony. Senate Bill 2907 and SJR 78, also by Sen. West, would exempt certain perishable inventory, including food and some prescription drugs, from property tax if approved by voters; pharmacists, business groups, a researcher, and a coalition of retailers and food/medicine advocates supported the bill, and it was left pending. Finally, Senate Bill 1331, by Sen. Hancock and explained by Sen. Middleton, would lower the population threshold for certain municipal civil-service-related petition restrictions from 950,000 to 70,000; law enforcement representatives and a San Marcos police association supported it, and it was left pending. The committee then recessed until 15 to 30 minutes after adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• forced dozens of families to scramble against the great risk of displacement in the middle of the school
• We were forced to move in the middle of the school year.
• My children are switching schools and trying to figure out the next step.
• and allow lawsuits to thrive, creating long-term budgetary uncertainty for cities, counties, and school
• acres mixed use, dedicated space for natural preservation, community amenities, a future elementary school

Bills: SB1331, SB1375, SB1443, SB1578, SB2251, SB2519, SB2553, SB2655, SB2764, SB2907, SB3030, SB3033, SB3035, SB3036, SB3037, SB3043, SB3047, SB3050, SB3051, SB3056, SB3057, SB3063, HB9, HB467, HB331, HB 1244, HB1399, HB2559, HB2730, HB3307, HJR1, HJR99, SB3048, SB3052, SB3053, SJR78, HB1327, HB2723

Keywords: civil service, firefighters, police officers, municipalities, local government, repeal, voter petition, health care, provider participation, continuation programs, population-based regulation, health care provider participation, Medicaid, hospital funding, voluntary compliance, mandatory payments, public health, healthcare program, county participation, nonpublic hospitals

Summary: The Committee on Local Government heard a series of local bills and public testimony focused on hospital districts, municipal management districts, local provider participation funds, manufactured housing, transit financing, development moratoriums, and property tax procedures. Early items included House Bill 467, which would help dissolve the defunct Maybank Kemp Hospital District and establish an Andrew Gibbs Memorial Nursing Endowment, and Senate Bill 3063, creating the Bio Bell Municipal Management District in Liberty County; both drew no public opposition and were left pending subject to call. The committee also heard House Bill 1327, extending the Harris County local provider participation fund through 2027, and Senate Bill 1375, extending Collin County’s LPPF authority, both presented as mechanisms to draw federal Medicaid matching funds for hospitals. A major portion of the meeting centered on Senate Bill 2764, which would require earlier notice to buyers of manufactured homes about how to convert a home from personal property to real property. Senator Cook described the bill as a consumer-information measure tied to displacement concerns at a mobile home park in her district, and a resident testified in support, saying the notice would help families make informed decisions. The committee also discussed Senate Bill 2519, a bill by Senator Bettencourt aimed at preventing local governments from shifting maintenance-and-operations tax revenue into debt-like uses and from changing the purpose of tax rate elections after voters approve them. Supporters argued it would protect taxpayers and preserve the separation between M&O and debt service, while opponents tied the bill to Austin’s Project Connect transit financing and warned it would disrupt an approved project and invite litigation. The committee heard and left pending several other bills, including House Bill 1244 on agricultural land ownership changes without reapplying for an ag exemption, House Bill 2559 on development moratoriums, and Senate Bill 2063 on unequal appraisal protests. Testimony on House Bill 2559 came from developers and builders who said moratoriums in Conroe had delayed projects and harmed buyers, while supporters of the bill said it would impose clearer limits and notice requirements. On Senate Bill 2063, the sponsor explained a committee substitute narrowing how market value evidence may be used in unequal appraisal appeals. The committee also considered multiple local district bills, including new MUDs and management districts in Montgomery, Denton, Fannin, Travis, Hays, and Williamson counties. At the end of the meeting, the committee took up pending business and voted out several measures, including House Bill 1244, House Bill 2559, House Bill 467, House Bill 1327, House Bill 1399, House Bill 2723, House Bill 2730, House Bill 3307, House Joint Resolution 99, and multiple district bills such as Senate Bills 3037, 3043, 3047, 3048, 3050, 3052, 3053, 3056, 3057, 3063, and others. Most were reported favorably, often with committee substitutes, and many were recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. Several bills, including the transit-related SB 2519 and the manufactured housing bill SB 2764, remained pending subject to call after testimony closed.

Bills: HR210, HR142, HCR150, HR132, HCR140, HR133, HCR141, HR182, HCR192, HR96, HCR104, HR57, HCR63, HR56, HCR62, HR39, HCR43, HR48, HCR52, HR119, HCR127, HR111, HCR119, HR88, HCR96, HR120, HCR128, HR117, HCR125, HR51, HCR55, HR54, HCR58, HR149, HCR159, HR64, HCR70, HR42, HCR46, HR84, HCR92, HR92, HCR100, HCR172, HR172, HCR182, HR75, HCR83, HR116, HCR124, HR36, HCR38, HR73, HCR79, HR125, HCR133, HR136, HCR144, HCR60, HCR20, HR32, HCR32, HR115, HCR123, HR108, HCR116, HR7, HCR8, HR47, HCR51, HR178, HCR188, HCR48, HCR49, HR15, HCR13, HR107, HCR115, HR168, HCR178, HR62, HCR68, HR83, HCR91, HR147, HCR155, HR164, HCR174, HR169, HCR179, HR175, HCR185, HR106, HCR114, HR183, HCR193, HR85, HCR93, HR137, HCR145

Keywords: Earl Kawaʻa, Earl Kawaa, H.R. 210, House Resolution, Hawaii Legislature, Hawaiian language, language revitalization, mānaleo, native Hawaiian speaker, Hawaiian culture, cultural preservation, Hoʻoponopono, Kamehameha Schools, Molokaʻi, Oʻahu, community mentorship, traditional practices, āina-based education, kaiapuni, Peace Corps

Bills: HR210, HR142, HCR150, HR132, HCR140, HR133, HCR141, HR182, HCR192, HR96, HCR104, HR57, HCR63, HR56, HCR62, HR39, HCR43, HR48, HCR52, HR119, HCR127, HR111, HCR119, HR88, HCR96, HR120, HCR128, HR117, HCR125, HR51, HCR55, HR54, HCR58, HR149, HCR159, HR64, HCR70, HR42, HCR46, HR84, HCR92, HR92, HCR100, HCR172, HR172, HCR182, HR75, HCR83, HR116, HCR124, HR36, HCR38, HR73, HCR79, HR125, HCR133, HR136, HCR144, HCR60, HCR20, HR32, HCR32, HR115, HCR123, HR108, HCR116, HR7, HCR8, HR47, HCR51, HR178, HCR188, HCR48, HCR49, HR15, HCR13, HR107, HCR115, HR168, HCR178, HR62, HCR68, HR83, HCR91, HR147, HCR155, HR164, HCR174, HR169, HCR179, HR175, HCR185, HR106, HCR114, HR183, HCR193, HR85, HCR93, HR137, HCR145

Keywords: Earl Kawaʻa, Earl Kawaa, H.R. 210, House Resolution, Hawaii Legislature, Hawaiian language, language revitalization, mānaleo, native Hawaiian speaker, Hawaiian culture, cultural preservation, Hoʻoponopono, Kamehameha Schools, Molokaʻi, Oʻahu, community mentorship, traditional practices, āina-based education, kaiapuni, Peace Corps

Bills: HR210, HR142, HCR150, HR132, HCR140, HR133, HCR141, HR182, HCR192, HR96, HCR104, HR57, HCR63, HR56, HCR62, HR39, HCR43, HR48, HCR52, HR119, HCR127, HR111, HCR119, HR88, HCR96, HR120, HCR128, HR117, HCR125, HR51, HCR55, HR54, HCR58, HR149, HCR159, HR64, HCR70, HR42, HCR46, HR84, HCR92, HR92, HCR100, HCR172, HR172, HCR182, HR75, HCR83, HR116, HCR124, HR36, HCR38, HR73, HCR79, HR125, HCR133, HR136, HCR144, HCR60, HCR20, HR32, HCR32, HR115, HCR123, HR108, HCR116, HR7, HCR8, HR47, HCR51, HR178, HCR188, HCR48, HCR49, HR15, HCR13, HR107, HCR115, HR168, HCR178, HR62, HCR68, HR83, HCR91, HR147, HCR155, HR164, HCR174, HR169, HCR179, HR175, HCR185, HR106, HCR114, HR183, HCR193, HR85, HCR93, HR137, HCR145

Keywords: Earl Kawaʻa, Earl Kawaa, H.R. 210, House Resolution, Hawaii Legislature, Hawaiian language, language revitalization, mānaleo, native Hawaiian speaker, Hawaiian culture, cultural preservation, Hoʻoponopono, Kamehameha Schools, Molokaʻi, Oʻahu, community mentorship, traditional practices, āina-based education, kaiapuni, Peace Corps

Transcript Highlights:

• was changed, and that there is now a different program used by schools for physical fitness testing
• The fitness test is not even a requirement for public or non-public schools at the federal level.
• Non-public schools are not receiving state funding, and they should not be required to take this test
• "Then on page two, line one and two, the presidential physical fitness test in public schools.
• in public... ...participation in the presidential physical fitness test in public schools.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2401, which would require physicians to complete continuing education on nutrition and metabolic health as part of the state’s rural health transformation effort. HHS supported the bill, saying it would help physicians better address chronic disease and preserve federal grant points tied to the state’s application. A member of the public also testified in favor, arguing that better nutrition education could improve diabetes outcomes and reduce costs. The committee then adopted an amendment to add the Board of Occupational Therapy Practice to the background-check statute so the occupational therapy compact could proceed, and it passed the bill as amended on a roll call vote. The committee next heard House Bill 1621, which would require the Presidential Fitness Physical Fitness Test in elementary, middle, and high school physical education courses. HHS said the bill was part of the rural health transformation application and could help preserve federal funding, but members raised many questions about the test’s criteria, adaptive options for students with disabilities, equipment needs, and whether the bill should apply to non-public schools. Senator Clemens offered an amendment to limit the requirement to public schools, but it failed. Senator Hogan then offered an amendment to clarify exemptions and allow DPI to align implementation with federal guidance; that amendment passed. A further amendment adding language allowing DPI to establish criteria for and exceptions to the test also passed. The committee then approved the bill as amended on a roll call vote. The committee also considered House Bill 1622, which joins North Dakota to the physician assistant licensure compact. HHS said the compact would improve access to care, especially in rural areas, support military families, and help preserve rural health transformation funding. Members noted the compact had been discussed in a prior session and that many earlier concerns had been resolved. After brief discussion about the compact process and its consistency with other interstate compacts, the committee voted to do pass the bill. Finally, the committee began Senate Bill 2402, which expands pharmacists’ prescriptive authority and therapeutic substitution powers. HHS and the Board of Pharmacy supported the bill as a way to improve access to care and maintain rural health transformation funding. Senator Roers introduced a detailed amendment negotiated with the Board of Medicine and Board of Pharmacy to narrow and clarify the bill, including notification requirements, limits on certain drug categories, and patient-protection language for therapeutic substitution. The Board of Pharmacy then testified in support of the broader bill and explained the CLIA-waived testing provisions and the repeal of the older, narrower pharmacist-testing language. The hearing and amendment discussion were still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill reduces regulations on school board operations, aligning school district school board meeting
• The bill reduces regulations on school board operations, aligning school district school, I'm sorry,
• tests.
• But when it comes to testing, she gets testing anxiety.
• But when it comes to testing, she gets testing anxiety.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met with a quorum present and observed a moment of silence for Senator Geraldine Thompson. The committee first took up CS/SB 102, a bill by Senator Gates directing the Department of Education to develop a workforce credential program for students with autism spectrum disorder or students on a modified curriculum, in coordination with the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities and OSHA. Supporters said the bill would help autistic students gain job skills and workplace safety credentials, while an opponent argued the bill should clearly make participation voluntary, expand to other exceptional student groups, include funding, and add stronger accountability. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered SB 166, the Administrative Efficiency in Public Schools bill by Senator Simon. The bill would reduce or remove several state mandates and give districts more flexibility on testing, teacher evaluations, contracts and certification, school board operations, instructional materials timelines, audits, facilities planning, emergency make-up days, federal fund use, and public VPK oversight. Senators asked about the impact on student proficiency, teacher evaluations, and the transfer of public VPK oversight to districts; Simon said the tests would remain but count as 30 percent of the grade, districts would retain flexibility in evaluation measures, and only public VPK would shift to districts. Public testimony was largely supportive, with some speakers praising reduced testing and local control, while one senator cautioned that Florida still has a math proficiency problem. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard CS/SB 296 by Senator Bradley, which would repeal the 2023 statewide mandate requiring later middle and high school start times and return the decision to local districts, while still requiring districts to inform the community about the health, safety, and academic impacts of sleep deprivation and consider later start times. Supporters argued the mandate created transportation, staffing, and scheduling problems and that local control was more practical, while opponents emphasized sleep science and the benefits of later start times for teens. Several senators discussed the tension between research and district resources, and the bill sponsor said the measure preserves the conversation about sleep while allowing local scheduling decisions. CS/SB 296 was reported favorably, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• school board member, and also DOE on the subject of testing and assessments and so on.
• small schools. small schools.
• Um, we tend to test 93 to grade tests.
• For science, we only test in grade five, and it's representative of elementary school science.
• And then we test again in 8th grade, which is their middle school accumulation.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved corrected minutes from October 6 after members noted and fixed several transcription and spelling errors, including a clarification that a comment about SAU numbers came from former Senator Jim Rubin. The vote to approve the corrected minutes was moved, seconded, and adopted with one abstention. The main presentation came from Chuck Bates of the New Hampshire Association of School Business Officials (ASBO), who described the organization, its certification program, and the role of school business administrators. He explained that ASBO members handle accounting and financial management, facilities, food service, HR, information systems, transportation, and risk management. He also outlined the certification program, which includes 21 courses, most online, plus four in-person workshops unique to New Hampshire, and noted that many members are not certified because the state licensure requirement was removed. Bates then addressed the committee’s interest in SAU consolidation and county-wide restructuring. He said business administrators often manage multiple budgets, attend school board meetings, and serve as a visible point of contact for the community. He argued that consolidation would create operational and financial challenges, including staff and facility relocation, differing accounting systems, lack of a standardized chart of accounts, and uncertain return on investment. He said the biggest obstacle would be local control, especially in small towns that do not want outside decisions affecting school closures, class sizes, or student transportation. Committee members questioned him about the distinction between administrative and academic control, the size of district offices in larger cities, and what might reduce administrative costs; Bates responded that many administrative costs stem from legislation and that consolidation would be difficult to implement without local support.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's take up Senate Bill 296 on middle school and high school start times.
• Let's take up Senate Bill 296 on middle school and high school start times.
• Let's take up Senate Bill 296 on middle school and high school start times by Senator Bradley.
• A lot of our schools and our districts have gone to just teaching toward the test because the test becomes
• , but just not this test.

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 296, as amended by strike-all, on middle and high school start times. Senator Bradley explained that the amendment would repeal the statewide mandate for later start times and return scheduling decisions to local school boards, while still requiring districts to inform the community about the health, safety, and academic effects of sleep deprivation and to consider later start times when setting transportation schedules. Testimony and debate were largely in support, with several school district and education group representatives waiving in support, and members citing transportation, staffing, family logistics, and cost concerns under the existing mandate. The strike-all was adopted, and SB 296 was reported favorably by roll call vote, with Senators Berman, Osgood, and Chair Calatayud voting yes and Senator Gaetz voting no; other members were absent or not recorded in the excerpt. The committee then heard Senate Bill 356, which would designate January 27 as Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida. Senator Berman said the date matches the UN’s Holocaust Remembrance Day and would require the governor to annually proclaim it, while allowing public observance and instruction about the Holocaust’s harms and its impact on the Jewish community and humanity. There was no substantive opposition in the excerpt, and the bill was reported favorably by roll call vote with yes votes from Senators Berman, Gaetz, and Chair Calatayud. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 166 on administrative efficiency in public schools. Senator Simon described a broad deregulation package affecting student assessments, grade promotion, teacher evaluations, contracts and certification, school board operations, instructional materials timelines, internal audits, facilities planning, cost-per-student-station limits, emergency make-up days, federal fund timing, and VPK oversight. Testimony was mixed: school district and education organization representatives generally supported the flexibility, while some groups opposed or urged changes to the grade 4 promotion and graduation-related provisions, arguing they could weaken academic standards. After debate focused especially on third-grade promotion and testing requirements, the bill was reported favorably by roll call vote. At the end of the meeting, members recorded their votes on SB 296 and SB 356, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:15.280> school<00:04:15.519> students allow high school high school students
• Dawson also indicated that the current high school equivalency test, the GED, is totally online, and
• The second part of HB 826 would increase access and reliability of high school equivalency testing.
• So there are two commercially available paper tests for high school equivalency.
• paper tests for high school equivalency. paper tests for high school equivalency.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're sitting here talking about, you know, students getting test fatigue or whether or not school test
• proctors, district test coordinators, or school principals are making good decisions about what subject
• You had brought up more tests in high school.
• came into your school two weeks before testing, how fair would it be for us to use their achievement
• score to evaluate your school, your school program?