Transcript Highlights:

• These guidelines need to be reinforced with training and processes.
• These guidelines need to be reinforced with training and processes.
• training, self-sufficiency support services, or life skills training, including tenant education and
• training, self-sufficiency support services, or life skills training, including tenant education and
• </c><00:58:58.039><c> staff</c> therapeutic interventions skilled staff therapeutic interventions skilled

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Foundational skill and current research.
• </c><00:13:58.720><c> that</c> how they can identify the skills that how they can identify the skills
• And builds on prior skills and concepts.
• </c> skill before taking that assessment. skill before taking that assessment.
• Some that they were being trained in.

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from KDE on the revised Kentucky academic standards for reading and writing. KDE explained the statutory six-year review process, the public comment periods, and the main revisions, including updates tied to the science of reading, decodable text, encoding/decoding, and an updated vision statement. KDE said 308 responses were received on the initial public comment, most respondents favored keeping standards as-is, and about 12% of standards were revised. The department also said the document was streamlined by removing repeated graphics and reducing its size by about 24%, and that a later comment period drew more than 400 responses. No new standards were flagged for review. Members asked about alignment between standards, curriculum, assessments, and NAEP, and KDE said instructional resources should be aligned to standards, KSA assessments are aligned to the standards, and screeners/diagnostics help identify student needs. Representative Truett raised the idea of a textbook-to-standards crosswalk, and KDE said publishers and a future repository partner should provide such crosswalks for local districts. Representative Bojanowski asked why foundational reading skills are not directly assessed on the third-grade KSA; KDE responded that the assessment is designed to measure end-of-grade expectations, while screening and diagnostics are used earlier to identify decoding needs. Representative Gel asked about early childhood supports, and KDE said it is working with early learning and special education offices and promoting LETRS professional learning for both teachers and preschool educators. The committee then received the mathematics improvement committee report. KDE said the mathematics committee unanimously approved a new strategic plan for improving math achievement from pre-K through grade 20 and adult education. The plan centers on six priorities: student empowerment, effective mathematics teaching and learning, continuous educator development and growth, a continuum of learning, community and family partnerships, and teacher recruitment and retention. KDE said the plan is intended as a living document with goals, recommended actions, and evidence bases, and that it aligns with the Kentucky Numeracy Counts Act by supporting high-quality instructional resources, professional learning, and family resources. In response to Senator Thomas, KDE explained that the professional learning recommendation means districts should tailor teacher training to classroom needs and instructional materials so math teachers are better equipped to implement standards and support students.

Transcript Highlights:

• So providing counseling services to elementary students could help them develop those essential skills
• Providing early detection and treatment, not to mention proactive training on social skills, will reduce
• </c><00:25:05.159><c> for</c> develop those essential skills for develop those essential skills for socialization
• </c><00:25:17.840><c> as</c> help teach students social skills as help teach students social skills as
• </c> proactive training on in social skills proactive training on in social skills will<00:26:04.640>

Bills: HF984 , HF921 , HF922

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: education funding, nonpublic schools, counseling services, guidance services, transportation for students, HF921, tax increment financing, TIF, excess tax increment, school district aid, levy adjustment, property tax levy, education finance, Minnesota education aid, decertification, local government finance, school funding formula, state aid reduction, referendum equalization aid, debt service equalization

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's education and training, okay, instruction and training, which was part of the original bill
• We're no longer training with this.
• We wouldn't be training students are driving, so it might make sense to remove the word training.
• With this, we wouldn't be training students are driving, so it might make sense to remove the word training
• Just an additional to help as far as in the pedagogy in that training that they've got good training

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2195, a driver education-related measure. The ranking member offered an amendment to remove the word “training” and add specific safe-driving topics such as pedestrian and motorcycle safety, based on prior testimony. The amendment and then a committee substitute were adopted. Members clarified that the bill does not require schools to offer driver education; it instead creates a mechanism for schools that choose to provide it. The committee then voted the House Committee Substitute for HB 2195 do pass by a unanimous 18-0 vote. Next, the committee considered House Bill 2502. The substitute mainly changed the term “non-public” to more specific references to private, parochial, and parish schools. The substitute was adopted, and the committee voted the House Committee Substitute for HB 2502 do pass unanimously, 18-0. The committee then revisited House Bill 2776, which had previously been voted out but was brought back after additional concerns from PSRS and others. The sponsor described major revisions, including changes to teacher certification tiers, more flexible service timelines, expanded credit for professional development, and limits to elementary grades. Members debated whether the bill watered down teacher preparation, whether the new certification structure could create unintended rights or salary issues, and whether the elementary-only scope was appropriate. After extensive discussion, the committee adopted the substitute and voted the House Committee Substitute for HB 2776 do pass by a 14-4 vote. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1767, the Missouri Educators and Parental Empowerment and Rights Act. The sponsor said the bill was intended to balance educator and parent rights and encourage collaboration rather than conflict. Supporters from Missouri NEA and the Missouri State Teachers Association said the bill would help address teacher retention by protecting classroom discipline authority, planning time, and other working conditions. School administrators raised concerns about practical implementation, potential legal conflicts, and added burdens on districts. After testimony and discussion, no further action was taken and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• “All of our new grads require some kind of additional training.
• All of our new grads require some kind of additional training.
• I understand the training is important.
• Is it appropriate in terms of the amount of training?
• I'm currently training at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Stockton.

Summary: The joint Assembly and Senate Business and Professions sunset oversight hearing focused first on the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), with committee chairs emphasizing oversight, consumer protection, workforce access, and economic mobility. BRN leaders reported improvements since the last review, including faster licensing timelines, streamlined enforcement, higher consumer satisfaction, growth in pre-licensure enrollment, and expanded data collection. Members questioned the board about nurse practitioner scope and supervision, international and military pathways to licensure, online nursing education and clinical requirements, rural workforce shortages, and the 30-unit LVN-to-RN option. BRN staff explained California’s tiered advanced practice system, the NCLEX and certification requirements, English proficiency rules, clinical hour standards, and the board’s role in approving programs and supporting schools through nursing education consultants. Several members and the board president also discussed the need to retain new graduates, improve diversity in the workforce, and better support nontraditional students and rural placements. Public comment on the BRN sunset review was extensive and largely supportive of the board, while also urging policy changes. Nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, and nursing education groups generally supported the BRN report and especially backed clarification of APRN-to-RN delegation authority under issue 13. Other commenters asked for clearer implementation of AB 890, more flexibility for clinical nurse specialists, streamlined renewals for nurse midwives, and changes to federal loan limits affecting graduate nursing education. Higher education representatives and private nursing schools raised concerns about duplicative BRN documentation, clinical placement bottlenecks, and barriers faced by out-of-state and online programs seeking to serve California students. The California Medical Association and some physician groups opposed easing transition-to-practice requirements for out-of-state nurse practitioners and cautioned against changes to specialty and delegation rules, while the California Nurses Association and others stressed the importance of community college pathways, new graduate support, and workforce retention. The hearing then moved to the Physical Therapy Board of California. Board leadership reported that the board oversees more than 41,000 active licensees, has seen about 15% growth since 2021, and continues to maintain high exam pass rates among California physical therapy and physical therapist assistant programs. The board described its mission as consumer protection through licensing, enforcement, continuing competency oversight, and stakeholder engagement. The vice president’s remote testimony encountered technical problems, so the executive officer continued with a brief overview of the board’s work and its commitment to efficient service and public protection. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We train our Copy and paste training information when responding to questions.
• strategy that extends beyond conventional training approaches. we need a workforce upskilling and re-skilling
• So in pre-training, we train trillions and trillions of words, you know, billions of images.
• So let's say it goes through post-training, then it goes, sorry, pre-training, then post-training.
• So you need to train the models, right?

Summary: The subcommittee met to hear a panel discussion on artificial intelligence and automation in Florida government. Panelists from Worldwide Technology, OpenAI, the James Madison Institute, and the Florida Digital Service described AI as a tool to improve efficiency, constituent services, fraud detection, translation, HR workflows, public safety, and regulatory review, while emphasizing that AI should supplement rather than replace workers. They also stressed the importance of data readiness, workforce training, governance, and having existing technology systems and policies in place before broader deployment. Members asked about public records concerns, vendor vetting, model integrity, and how to balance innovation with privacy and security. Chief Schoonover said agencies are already using or exploring AI in areas such as Medicaid analysis, environmental data, emergency management, tax forms, and child support, and noted that the Digital Service publishes prohibited vendor and application lists. OpenAI discussed its red teaming, safety evaluations, privacy controls, and government products such as ChatGPT Gov, and said it does not train on personal data or target users with ads. The committee also discussed concrete examples of efficiency gains, including reduced call times, faster translation turnaround, and streamlined HR classification work, as well as concerns about job disruption and constituent access. In closing, members raised data center infrastructure and energy needs, with panelists noting that AI depends on substantial compute, power, cooling, and utility capacity. The chair concluded by encouraging continued dialogue and noting that future AI legislation should be targeted to specific problems rather than overly broad.

Transcript Highlights:

• no training schedules, no consistent training available, and a groomer who was, during that period,
• </c> Guardsmen to pay back their training. Guardsmen to pay back their training.
• >> Uh, for training. >> And what was that training? >> There was no training.
• I don't know how that's fair. >> Uh, for training. >> And what was that training?
• >> There was no training. [laughter] There was no training.

Bills: HF3889 , HF2567 , HF3878

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• If we teach our students how to be in that higher echelon of people with the skill set to use AI, they'll
• And I'd also like to discuss the intervention, so in the form of the ethics training.
• It's the Center for Teaching Excellence, but we have a lot of AI teaching trainings for professors and
• In another school, where we did bullying and anti-bullying training, we had the superintendent report
• We want our kids to focus on what they can do, what their skills bring to them.

Committee: All ALC-HIGHER EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The meeting opened with a report on annual solvency certification for institutions of higher education, which required no action and was to be distributed later. The main presentation focused on artificial intelligence in K-12 and higher education, delivered by students from Arkansas State University, the University of Central Arkansas, and Valley View High School. They argued that AI is becoming central to education and the workforce, especially as Arkansas adds major data center investments, and said students should be taught to use AI responsibly so they can compete for jobs, improve internships, and keep talent in-state. They also emphasized concerns about academic integrity, cybercrime, and the need for ethics training and district-level guidance. The presenters shared survey findings from educators in several Arkansas districts, saying most teachers support teaching responsible AI use, believe students without access to AI will be disadvantaged, and want training and district-level management. They described existing AI uses at Arkansas colleges, including AI tutors, AI-generated practice exams, homework feedback tools, and classroom applications in business, climate science, and urban forestry. They also proposed an AI library built on the state’s Access Act infrastructure so K-12 and college students could access shared AI tools and resources across Arkansas. Committee members asked about student attitudes, classroom concerns, and whether AI could help standardize course materials and objectives across institutions. The presenters said reactions among students are mixed, with arts students especially worried about copyright and originality, but that many recognize AI’s real-world value. A UCA representative added that faculty training, ethics discussions, and academic dishonesty guidance are already underway there. The chair thanked the students, noted their work on related research projects, and then moved to a second presentation from Pine Bluff community leaders. The Pine Bluff group described community-based school support efforts, including the Pastors on Patrol program, mentoring, anti-bullying and nonviolence training, drug and vaping education, leadership clubs, and a youth diversion effort for students at risk of detention. They said their work is aimed at improving school climate, encouraging citizenship and scholarship, and reducing negative behavior. Members praised the group’s efforts and asked about expanding the programs to other districts; the presenters said their model and curriculum can be shared and adapted. The meeting ended after the chair thanked both groups and adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• single intern that we produce and put them to work at a higher wage because they come with a higher skill
• single intern that we produce and put them to work at a higher wage because they come with a higher skill
• is preparing these students to be successful in the workforce, but the bottom line is this: real skills
• In innovation in career, workforce career training, in college degrees, and continuing to expand, and
• But I think growth is not just important workforce training.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to consider a slate of trustee confirmations for several Florida state colleges and universities. Chair Harrell outlined the process, including swearing in nominees, allowing brief presentations and questions, taking public comment after each nominee, and voting on the full slate at the end unless a member was pulled for separate consideration. One nominee, Edward Fleming, was not heard and was deferred to a future meeting. The committee also dealt with several technical issues for remote participants before proceeding through the agenda. Nominees and reappointees emphasized their personal ties to their institutions and focused their remarks on workforce development, affordability, and partnerships with local employers. Several highlighted nursing and allied health programs, with committee members repeatedly asking about NCLEX pass rates; reported figures included Polk State at 100%, Lake-Sumter at 97.5%, Northwest Florida State at 100%, Daytona State at 95%, Pasco-Hernando at 97% for associate degree and 100% for practical nursing, Pensacola State at 90% practical nursing and 85% RN, and Hillsborough College at 87.5%. Other priorities mentioned included construction technology, agriculture and ag technology, surveying/geodetic programs, maritime and diesel mechanics, aircraft maintenance, dual enrollment, AI, cybersecurity, and support for military and veteran transitions. After hearing from all nominees, the committee asked whether any names should be voted on separately; none were requested. Senator Bradley moved a block vote to recommend confirmation, the motion was approved by roll call, and all nominees heard that day were recommended for confirmation except Tab 10, Edward Fleming, who was postponed to a later meeting. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• CRNA is trained to.
• and training.
• This not only hampers my... ...limiting my ability to fully utilize my skills and training.
• of residency training.
• Work is not training.

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee heard a lengthy agenda of health care and public health bills. The first major item was HB 649, which would remove the paper supervision protocol for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) and allow autonomous practice. The sponsor and supporters argued it would improve access, especially in rural areas, address workforce shortages, and reduce costs, while opponents from the medical community raised patient safety concerns and argued it would weaken physician oversight. After extensive testimony and debate, the committee reported the bill favorably by a vote of 18-7. The committee then unanimously advanced several other measures. HB 259, creating a special observance for fentanyl awareness and education, passed 23-0. HB 791, which codifies infant safety devices as an option for surrendering newborns and amends safe-haven law, passed as amended 25-0. HB 355, allowing schools to use FDA-approved emergency opioid antagonists rather than only naloxone, passed 26-0. HB 1119, requiring hospitals with emergency departments to adopt pediatric readiness policies, training, coordination, and assessment requirements, also passed 26-0 after two amendments. HB 431, changing the date for level-two background screening of athletic coaches to July 1, 2026, passed 26-0. Later, the committee approved CS for HB 907, the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases or “Sunshine Genetics Act,” which would establish an opt-in newborn genome sequencing program at FSU and a statewide consortium for rare disease research; supporters emphasized earlier diagnosis and cost savings, and the bill passed 25-0. CS for HB 519, aligning state law with federal law on controlled substances for paramedics, passed 25-0. Finally, CS for HB 723, requiring the Department of Health to provide early-detection materials for type 1 diabetes to families of young schoolchildren, passed as amended 26-0. The meeting adjourned after all bills were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• All of our new grads require some kind of additional training.
• All of our new grads require some kind of additional training.
• I understand the training is important.
• Is it appropriate in terms of the amount of training?
• Is it appropriate in terms of the amount of training?

Summary: The joint Assembly and Senate Business and Professions sunset oversight hearing focused first on the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), with opening remarks emphasizing legislative oversight, consumer protection, workforce access, and the need to evaluate whether licensing boards are efficient and effective. BRN leaders reported progress since the last review, including faster licensing timelines, streamlined enforcement, improved consumer satisfaction, expanded nursing program enrollment, and new statewide data collection on faculty. Committee members then questioned the board about nurse practitioner scope and supervision, international licensure, English proficiency, online nursing education and clinical placements, military and veteran pathways, workforce shortages, diversity in nursing, the LVN-to-RN 30-unit option, and the role of the board’s RN executive officer. The board explained California’s tiered APRN system, the NCLEX and national certification requirements, the 500-hour direct patient care clinical requirement, and its use of nursing education consultants and board-approved programs to oversee schools and placements. Members also discussed retention problems, especially for new graduates, and the board said shortages are often driven by burnout, lack of support, and employers’ reduced use of new-grad training programs. Public comment largely centered on proposed BRN sunset issues affecting advanced practice nursing, education oversight, and workforce development. Nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, and nurse anesthesiology groups generally supported the BRN sunset report but asked for clearer implementation of AB 890, support for APRN-to-RN delegation authority, streamlined renewals for nurse midwives, and protection of the current population-focus model. The California Medical Association raised concerns about out-of-state nurse practitioners practicing independently without California transition-to-practice requirements, specialty delegation, ratios, and data collection. Higher education representatives from UC, CSU, private nonprofit colleges, and nursing associations urged the board to reduce duplicative documentation, modernize clinical placement rules, improve parity between in-state and out-of-state programs, and address bottlenecks in securing clinical sites. An online nursing school argued that California should create a pathway for distance-learning programs so students can complete clinicals in-state rather than traveling out of state. Several speakers also highlighted the need to expand access for rural and underserved communities, support diverse and nontraditional students, and preserve affordable pathways into nursing.

Transcript Highlights:

• My main concern is the loss of skill that comes with the overuse of AI.
• This bill does not currently provide dedicated funding for faculty training or create clear statewide
• And the other is the opportunity to have some workforce training.
• Again, high-quality, affordable workforce training.
• I am a scientist by training, a chemist specifically, and an entrepreneur by my career.

Bills: S1694

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Keywords: technology education, digital literacy, artificial intelligence, computer science, high school graduation

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm very confident that his background, his skills, his experience will provide very steady leadership
• I'm very confident that his background, his skills, his experience will provide very steady leadership
• Asbestos is a really hazardous product that people—skilled workers—are addressing.
• Asbestos is a really hazardous product that people are addressing with skilled workers, but right now
• , the department's ability to update training rules is very limited.

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, colors, pledge, and a prayer by Sikh youth leader Gertit Singh Cocher, followed by recognition of guests from the Sikh Coalition and Kalsa Germath Center. The chamber approved the journal and then adopted Senate Resolution 8678 honoring the Chimicum High School Marching Band for being selected as Washington’s representative in the 2026 National Independence Day Parade in Washington, D.C.; senators praised the band’s dedication and rural-school achievement, and the band was recognized in the gallery. The Senate then confirmed two gubernatorial appointments by 49-0 votes: Ryan Moran as Director of the Health Care Authority and Dennis Worsham as Secretary of the Department of Health. Supporters highlighted Moran’s Medicaid and health system background and Worsham’s long public health career, including local health leadership and work on HIV/AIDS and community health. The chamber also advanced and passed Senate Bill 6011, expanding court bailiff authority to conduct threat assessments for the Court of Appeals, and Senate Bill 5831, creating safe harbors related to mortgage modification recording requirements. Several bills were debated and passed after amendment votes. Senate Bill 6188, concerning Labor and Industries’ asbestos training and certification rules, saw an amendment to align with federal standards rejected and then passed 38-19. Substitute Senate Bill 5917, dealing with access to abortion medications through the Department of Corrections pharmacy, had multiple proposed amendments rejected before passing 32-17 after extensive debate over access, labeling, distribution limits, and emergency status. The Senate also adopted an amendment to Senate Bill 6024 on developmental disability services confidentiality, then passed the bill 48-0-1 excused; passed Substitute Senate Bill 6091 on residential property marketing and fair housing by 49-0; and passed Substitute Senate Bill 5840 adjusting campaign finance expenditure reporting deadlines by 46-3. The body then recessed for caucus and lunch.

Transcript Highlights:

• Understand how we can bring partners together to accelerate that innovation, train the next generation
• Eighty percent of those job listings require non-quantum skills.
• So this is our quantum learning lab and technician training program.
• What are those people doing, and what are the skills that they need to do that?
• And we realized that they're very hands-on skills, but you don't need these advanced degrees to do it

Committee: House Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill prevents schools from implementing DEI requirements in training, hiring practices, or granting
• Empowerment Network, which works to ignite the power and goals of young girls by teaching them the skills
• collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity, as well as confidence and coping skills
• It uses running and physical activity to teach life skills that help girls build confidence and manage
• ...highly trained volunteer coaches, 90% of whom are teachers.

Bills: SB12 , SB226 , SB413 , SB1049 , SB1191 , SB2398 , SB571 , SB2920 , SB 12

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: parental rights, education, social transitioning, diversity, equity, inclusion, school policy, student clubs, residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, school boards, transparency, public meetings, attendance, recording, released time, religious instruction

Transcript Highlights:

• We cut subscriptions for training resources for trustees, friends, and foundations.
• Without federal funding, patrons will lose life-changing access to the resources and skills-building
• education that is done at our life. ...and different kinds of skill-based education that is done in
• Some of that funding was for the training of our employees on new technologies.
• Those include teacher training and education... ...of over $135,000.

Committee: House House Committee on Federal Funding, Policy and Accountability

Summary: The hearing focused on the impact of recent federal policy and budget actions on Massachusetts libraries, humanities organizations, arts institutions, and tourism. Testimony from library leaders described the loss or jeopardy of Institute of Museum and Library Services funding, including statewide databases, local grants, staff positions, E-rate/hotspot support, and digital equity programs. Witnesses said the cuts have already forced reductions in services, canceled grants and workshops, and in some cases left schools, students, job seekers, and low-income patrons without access to key resources. Members of the committee asked for lists of affected communities and databases, and several witnesses said they would provide additional written detail. Arts and humanities witnesses said federal terminations from the NEA, NEH, and IMLS have hit organizations across the Commonwealth, including Mass Cultural Council, Mass Humanities, Mass MoCA, and local museums and historical societies. They described canceled or rescinded grants, layoffs, reduced programming, and a chilling effect on future applications and on artistic and scholarly work, especially where federal awards had already been matched with local or private funds. Several speakers also raised concerns about executive-branch DEI conditions attached to funding and about book challenges and book banning, saying these trends threaten intellectual freedom and public access to culture and history. Committee members emphasized the economic importance of the sector and the need to publicize the impacts. Tourism officials from Meet Boston and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism testified that federal cuts and broader geopolitical and tariff issues are hurting international visitation, especially from Canada and Western Europe, and could affect major upcoming events such as the 2026 World Cup and Sail Boston. They said reduced funding for Brand USA and Discover New England will weaken long-term marketing efforts and international partnerships, with downstream effects on hotel tax revenue, jobs, and workforce recruitment. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with members mainly asking questions and requesting follow-up written testimony and data.

Transcript Highlights:

• The moment Sergio burst onto the scene as a teenager, he captivated us with his exceptional skills and
• He has represented a new generation of golfers who embody both skill and sportsmanship.
• has worked in nearly every division of the department, from patrol to investigations, records to training
• HB 3761 by Toni Rose relates to the requirement for training on the importance of mental and physical
• HB 3799 by Orr relates to the establishment of the apprenticeship training program sponsorship fund,

Transcript Highlights:

• Psychiatric care, medical care, psychosocial treatment, skill building, et cetera, with our population
• Psychiatric care, medical care, psychosocial treatment, skill building, et cetera, with our population
• And the focus and effort there is to have efforts around skill and training and proper use of interventions
• Training has been strengthened and changed.
• I'm wondering, just like for the leadership team, trainings, culture trainings, trauma sensitivity trainings

Summary: The joint Senate and House Behavioral Health committee met for informational presentations on the Oregon State Hospital and civil commitment, followed by a planned tour of the hospital. Oregon Health Authority and Oregon State Hospital leaders reported that Sean Murphy will become the next permanent superintendent on July 13, with Sarah Castle to follow as permanent chief nursing officer on July 20. They described recent leadership turnover, a major organizational restructure, and efforts to build a culture of safety, transparency, and accountability. Officials said the hospital regained Joint Commission accreditation and CMS compliance, and they highlighted daily safety huddles, incident review processes, stronger escalation procedures, and improved management of seclusion and restraint. Committee members pressed hospital leaders on past prolonged seclusion practices, falls, staffing, and the need for better public reporting; OHA said it is building a public dashboard of key safety and workforce metrics. The committee then heard a civil commitment overview from the Oregon Judicial Department. The presenter explained that civil commitment is a separate legal process from criminal cases, usually beginning with a hospital hold, investigation, court review, appointed counsel, and a hearing within five days. She summarized changes made in House Bill 2005, including revised standards for danger to self, danger to others, and basic-needs commitments, plus a second 14-day diversion option. She cautioned that the new law has only been in effect since January and that it is too early to draw firm conclusions from the data, though there has been a recent uptick in commitments and a decrease in diversions. Testimony from NAMI Oregon and a forensic psychiatrist emphasized that Oregon still relies too heavily on jails and state hospitals because community services, housing, and outpatient supports are insufficient. They argued that the state needs more less-restrictive alternatives, including better use of assisted outpatient treatment or outpatient civil commitment, and more supported housing so people do not cycle between homelessness, incarceration, and hospitalization. A family member described a relative remaining psychotic in jail for more than 120 days before ending up back at the state hospital, urging faster intervention and better collaboration among courts, counties, hospitals, and state agencies. Committee members and witnesses also discussed workforce shortages, the expansion of secure residential treatment beds, and the need for broader system reforms beyond the hospital itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• But two-thirds of these individuals don't have any formal training or any specific training on what to
• ...training for employees, contractors, volunteers, and schools, and YSOs.
• This training already exists through the Enough Abuse campaign.
• That's why we already have this training in place.
• Many of us have participated in implicit bias trainings, and in those trainings, we learn how our brains

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Summary: The committee opened a public hearing on 41 bills related to school climate and safety, with chairs Jason Lewis and Ken Gordon outlining procedures and noting more than 125 witnesses. The first major topic was the “Study Act” on cell phones in schools and related social media restrictions (House 666/Senate 335). Secretary of Education Pat Tutwiler and Attorney General Andrea Campbell testified in strong support, arguing that bell-to-bell phone-free policies would improve student focus, reduce anxiety and distraction, and support mental health. Several legislators also supported the approach, though Representative Jeff Turco and Senator John Keenan emphasized narrower bills focused only on school-day phone restrictions rather than broader social media regulation. Senator John Velis likewise backed a comprehensive school-hours restriction, citing student distraction and mental health concerns. Representative Tarsky described successful implementation of a Yondr pouch system in a school where he served as principal, saying it improved engagement and reduced bullying and discipline issues. The committee then heard testimony on a bill to prohibit Native American mascots in public schools (Senate 312/House 575). Senator Joe Comerford, Brittany Wally, and Rhonda Anderson all urged passage, saying Native mascots are dehumanizing, harmful to Native youth, and inconsistent with civil rights and educational values. They described support from tribal nations and noted that many Massachusetts schools have already changed mascots, but some still resist. The hearing also included testimony on school start times (House 647/Senate 360), where middle school students Caroline Duffy and Emery Jarvis described exhaustion and survey data showing widespread sleep deprivation. Former educator Telia Jacobs, former principal Rep. Tarsky, and others argued that later start times would improve health, learning, and student well-being, while acknowledging transportation and scheduling challenges. Zoriana Petrosian, who helped write one of the bills as a student, said the state already has enough research to act now. Additional bills drew testimony on related school issues. Dr. Raul Fernandez supported a bill promoting racially integrated schools (Senate 324), citing a recent advisory council report showing large disparities in segregated schools and urging DESE to develop a statewide integration strategy. On safe firearm storage education (House 548/Senate 397), multiple witnesses from Grassroots for Gun Violence Prevention and school communities supported annual school-based education about secure storage, saying it would help prevent child access to unsecured firearms and build on local resolutions already adopted in some districts. The committee also heard testimony on bills to expand career and academic plans (House 533/Senate 438), with speakers saying more structured planning would help students make informed college and career choices. Later, testimony on child sexual abuse prevention and survivor support bills described the prevalence of abuse, the need for training in schools and youth-serving organizations, and the importance of extending compensation and prevention measures. Throughout the hearing, chairs repeatedly closed bills with no witnesses and moved the agenda forward, but no votes were taken in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so it's really critical that training apprentices follows our state training requirements and that
• training is delivered by people who uphold our state safety and quality standards.
• Utility-specific: most people who go through CDL training are going through training that is really designed
• This is really the kind of accessible training that we really need more of.
• Sorry, I've just got on to the same senator train and sent you guys to the other chamber.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Energy Supply, Energy Conservation, and Energy Resilience

Summary: The Joint Committee on Energy Supply, Energy Conservation, and Energy Resilience opened by electing Senator Shewmake as chair and Representative Alex Ybarra as vice chair. Members then turned to a work session on data centers, transmission, and workforce issues, with the committee noting the statutory rotation of leadership and the urgency of these topics for 2026 and beyond. Kate Bruns and Glenn Blackman presented preliminary findings from the governor’s Data Center work group, which met from May through November and received more than 1,000 public comments. They said the group did not reach full consensus, but agreed Washington’s grid has limited excess capacity, data centers are expected to be a major source of future load growth, ratepayer protections and better load forecasting are important, and the state should preserve its energy and climate laws while seeking more clean power and transmission. They also described tribal consultation underway through the Department of Revenue, and noted that a proposed expansion of the data center sales tax exemption tied to new clean electricity narrowly failed and was left for the legislature to consider. The committee then heard from West Tech consultant Keegan Moyer on regional transmission planning. He described a broad Western transmission portfolio developed through interconnection-wide studies, including roughly 70-plus planned projects and additional upgrades totaling about 12,000 line miles and an estimated $56 billion. He said the West faces rapid load growth, reliability stress, and major transmission constraints, and that the portfolio is intended to support reliability, economic efficiency, and public policy goals. Members asked about crossing utility and market “seams,” state ownership or pre-permitting of corridors, and whether the process could speed interconnection delays; he said the main barriers are permitting, rights-of-way, and interconnection queues, not construction itself. Stephanie Scott then summarized the electrical transmission workforce needs study. She said the study focuses on substation technicians, line workers, and line clearance tree trimmers, and found that meeting Washington’s clean energy goals will require far more workers than current training pipelines produce. She emphasized that apprenticeship depends on active projects, that retirements are reducing experienced mentors, and that barriers such as costly CDL training, limited pre-apprenticeship access, and wraparound support needs must be addressed. The committee also heard from Brant Johnson of Grid United on barriers to new transmission, using the North Plains Connector as a case study. He described a long development process centered on early stakeholder engagement, tribal consultation, route changes, and coordinated federal and state permitting, and said the project has largely relied on private capital with a federal GRIP grant covering a portion of costs. Members discussed eminent domain, landowner compensation, financing, and whether similar approaches could help speed other transmission projects.