Video & Transcript Research : 'academic programs'

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NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Education Jan 26th, 2026 at 08:32 am

Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • It also sets up a framework within the department on how to administer those programs.
  • There are traditional bachelor's programs, which take four years.
  • teachers, whether in traditional or alternative licensure programs.
  • The first piece of this amendment deals with the timeline for the teacher prep program.
  • their program, and I think it's a friendly amendment.
Bills: SB29, SB64
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:15:59.520> that kids have access to the programs that kids have access to the programs
  • , I really want to also draw attention to that Bucks for Brains program, that endowment match program
  • Assembly gives us for mandated programs Assembly gives us for mandated programs like<01:33:49.680
  • .<01:44:27.280> I program.
  • I program.
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The Interim Joint Budget Review Subcommittee on Education met for its first summer interim meeting, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and took roll. The first presentation came from Jerry Gels, principal of Ignite Institute in Erlanger, who focused on the rising cost of dual credit. He said dual credit tuition has increased from about $150 to $290 for a three-credit course over roughly five years, which he argued is discouraging participation, especially for working-class and low-income students. He cited Ignite data and broader college outcomes to argue dual credit improves college persistence, shortens time to degree, and reduces student debt, noting that many of his students enter college with substantial credit and that low-income students at Ignite have increasingly participated after targeted efforts and scholarship use. He also said the instructional labor is largely paid by county school systems, so he questioned the size of the tuition increase and said the committee should examine how the costs are being set and whether college tuition should be stabilizing as more students arrive with credits already earned. Members asked about who pays for dual credit, the role of state scholarship support, and whether tuition varies by institution. Gels said students in his district generally pay the dual credit cost themselves, though some districts may cover it, and he noted the dual credit scholarship now covers fewer classes than before. He said the price appears to be set centrally rather than varying by university, and he emphasized that the higher cost is creating barriers even though the courses are taught largely by local teachers on school payrolls. He also described Ignite’s efforts to expand access for free- and reduced-lunch students, saying participation among that group rose from 27% with no dual credit to about 90-92% taking at least one dual credit class. The committee then heard from the Goldwater Institute, represented by Michael Frazier and Dr. Tim Minella by Zoom. They argued Kentucky’s public universities should face stronger accountability and transparency, citing declining public confidence in higher education, rising costs, and what they described as administrative growth and research spending that does not clearly benefit students or the Commonwealth. They proposed requiring a 10-year accounting of staffing growth by category, comparing it to enrollment and low-income Kentucky enrollment, and limiting non-STEM faculty teaching releases for research unless approved under a baseline consent process. They also criticized certain university-funded research projects as examples of misdirected spending and said public reporting should distinguish Kentucky residents from non-residents more clearly, pointing to a reported decline in low-income in-state undergraduate enrollment. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

FL House Floor Session - 2026-02-11 (4:00PM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Tallahassee State College serves more than 17,000 students annually through over 100 academic, workforce
  • , and continuing education programs.
  • But again, that academic artistic value.
  • So if a law magnet program or criminal justice program were analyzing the Epstein files and the files
  • programs, extracurricular activities, teachers' salaries, and technological advancement.
Summary: The House convened with prayer, moments of silence for former member Terry Fields and the Parkland victims, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of guests and visitors. The chamber then adopted the Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report setting the day’s calendar and debate times. The main measure taken up was HB 1119, relating to materials harmful to minors in public schools and charter schools, which the sponsor described as a clarification of existing law to keep pornographic or sexually explicit material away from minors and to give districts clearer standards for review and objection processes. The bill drew extensive debate over constitutional concerns, local control, litigation risk, and the scope of the definition of “harmful to minors.” Members supporting the bill argued it was needed to close loopholes and protect children, while opponents warned it could lead to overbroad book removals, conflict with federal court rulings, and costly lawsuits. A series of amendments sought to narrow or redirect the bill: proposals by Gant, Aristide, Bartleman, Eskamani, Nixon, Rainer, Woodson, and Harris would have preserved literary value review, protected educational and abuse-prevention materials, exempted LGBTQ-inclusive books, limited objections, preserved funding for districts, or delayed enforcement during ongoing litigation. Supporters of the amendments framed them as protecting parental choice, academic value, student safety, and district finances; opponents said they would weaken the bill’s child-protection purpose. All of the amendments failed. After the amendment process, the House waived rules, read HB 1119 a third time by title, and entered structured debate on final passage. Debate continued along the same lines, with opponents emphasizing book removals, First Amendment concerns, and the impact on students and schools, and supporters reiterating that the bill was intended to prevent minors from accessing obscene material. The transcript provided ends during structured debate and does not include the final vote on HB 1119.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Finance Jun 24th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • The program evaluation, yes, we are working on program evaluation in close collaboration with LFC and
  • in summer programs, Mr.
  • We had over 17,000 students register for this program.
  • They may need more literacy or they may need more programs.
  • I'm one of your program evaluators at the LFC.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, May 19, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • <04:44:46.798> Speaker, program or the VAS program. Speaker, program or the VAS program.
  • The program is called the loan guarantee program.
  • c><04:57:18.638> an<04:57:18.878> important program or VAS program was an important program
  • program.
  • training program. training program.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

89th Legislative Session Mar 3rd, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • and the rural prosecutor office salary assistance grant program.
  • HB 529 by Bumgarner relating to eligibility for bulletproof vests and body armor grant program.
  • HB 538 by Bernal relating to student access to certain academic records, authorizing a fee.
  • Economics for an associate or baccalaureate degree program at a public institution of higher education
  • HB 529 by Bum Garner relating to eligibility for bulletproof vests and body armor grant program, refer
Summary: The House met for first reading and referral of a large number of bills and joint resolutions, with no substantive debate on the measures themselves. The filings covered a broad range of topics, including agency rulemaking and regulatory deference, occupational licensing reciprocity, business entities, eviction procedures, higher education, public education, health care, elections and voting procedures, criminal justice, property tax and appraisal issues, transportation, agriculture, energy, and local government authority. Several proposals also addressed constitutional amendments on matters such as Medicaid expansion, property tax limits, quorum and special-session rules, voting citizenship proof, parental rights, reproductive autonomy, and state funding allocations. Many of the measures focused on education, public health, and election administration. Examples included bills on financial literacy in schools, school nurses and librarians, student meal debt policies, suicide prevention notices, menstrual products, and community-based learning programs, as well as election-related bills on voter registration, disability access, ballot corrections, political advertising, and voting equipment or procedures. Other notable bills dealt with housing and property issues, including evictions, homestead tax exemptions, and land ownership, along with criminal justice measures involving sentencing, juror challenges, trafficking-related nondisclosure, and firearm reporting or transfer restrictions. The House also referred a set of resolutions to the Local and Consent Calendars Committee. At the end of the proceedings, Mr. Bell moved that the House adjourn until 2:00 p.m. Tuesday in memory of James Edward Cook of Eustace, Texas. There was no objection, and the House adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • But when asked who would run such a national program, he suggests it would be the states.
  • Transferring these programs over to other federal and state departments would weaken their strength and
  • There will be no federal assistance for institutions to implement federally mandated programs, putting
  • 10 million in IDEA funding for students with disabilities, and 400,000 in Perkins grants for CTE programs
  • Now, I could immediately delve into all of the ways that this action will impact me and my academic career
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • requirement that a health care provider's participation in the Medicaid supplemental reimbursement program
  • It's 14 hospital systems, public hospital systems, academic medical centers, and children's hospitals
  • Senior. systems, academic medical centers, and children's hospitals around the state.
Summary: The Criminal and Civil Justice Committee met with a quorum present and began with a notice that the committee would not present its budget that day, instead planning to roll it out the following week in coordination with House counterparts and Senate notice requirements. The chair also noted several members were excused or late, and the committee proceeded to the agenda items. The committee heard CS for SB 760 by Senator McLean, relating to violations of pretrial release conditions for violent crimes. There was no debate, and the Florida Sheriffs Association waived in support. The bill was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee also took up SB 1536 by Senator Pizzo on digital voyeurism, described as expanding the reasonable expectation of privacy to include a privately fenced yard; no questions, appearances, or debate were recorded, and the bill was closed on without further action noted in the transcript. Next, the committee considered SB 102 by Senator Yarbrough on inmate services. A leave-filed amendment was adopted that addressed correctional facility maintenance and repair deductions, Medicaid supplemental reimbursement participation, emergency medical transport reimbursement, and negotiated rates for certain community health care providers, including telehealth arrangements. The Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida spoke in information and indicated the amendment was a positive step, while the Florida Department of Corrections waived in support. The bill, as amended, was reported favorably by roll call vote. Two additional agenda items, CS for SB 1582 on statewide data sharing of secondhand dealer and pawnbroker transactions and SB 1792 on public records for pawnbroker transactions, were temporarily postponed, and the committee adjourned after no further business.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Education Committee Apr 9th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • put a voucher program together?
  • the state program, which is a component of this bill.
  • Apprenticeship programs under current law.
  • And there is an existing program at DPH that does this exact work.
  • And there is an existing program at DPH, and that does this exact.
Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard a full agenda of bills, first adopting a consent calendar of 11 measures without individual presentations. The committee then took up AB 1412, which would require California schools to implement or adopt a transferred special education student’s IEP within 30 days for out-of-state transfers and to coordinate more quickly on records. The author and military-family witnesses said the bill would reduce delays for highly mobile students, especially military children; a school administrators group opposed it. The bill received initial support from committee members and was moved on call. The committee also reconsidered AB 281, which would require notice to parents when outside consultants provide sex education instruction; the author accepted amendments removing a copy-right provision, but the bill remained on call after a split vote. The committee heard AB 1005, which would create a statewide drowning-prevention education and swim-lesson voucher framework for underserved communities. The author and supporters described drowning as a preventable public health and equity issue, while the bill was clarified as developing a plan rather than immediately launching a voucher program. It was voted out on a 3-0 roll with the measure placed on call. AB 908, as amended, would add compliance monitoring for existing requirements that schools use LGBTQ-inclusive instructional materials and curriculum under the FAIR Act. Supporters said the bill would improve implementation and student safety; opponents raised concerns about privacy, girls’ sports, and school burdens. The committee approved the bill 5-2 and sent it to Appropriations. The committee then heard AB 1401, which would affirm parents’ access to school records, including unofficial records unless exempt by law. The author argued that parents need clearer access to information held by schools and vendors, while school officials and teachers’ union representatives warned the bill was too vague and could sweep in personal notes, journals, and other sensitive material. The bill failed on a 2-3 vote and was placed on call. Finally, AB 727 would require student ID cards to include the Trevor Project hotline for LGBTQ youth; supporters framed it as a suicide-prevention measure, while opponents argued it conflicted with parental rights and religious beliefs. Committee discussion focused on whether 988 already provides similar access and whether the Trevor Project is an appropriate resource to print on IDs; the hearing continued with the bill still under consideration.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • We know that both free and low-cost training programs exist.
  • >> There's there's 2 focus is for the program. One would be the service area.
  • So Mister Chairman. >> Did I understand you to say that this School of Hope program once established
  • >> I they may be able to put the. >> The purpose of the program is specifically to to focus and have
  • It didn't seem like a great divide between students in one program once one school in the other.
Keywords: 999, senate, all
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • And our program evaluation division.
  • This is the program evaluation This is the program evaluation division's<00:04:13.640> assessment
  • <00:04:30.520> evaluation think um where the program evaluation think um where the program
  • <00:06:55.960> Um academic institution. Um academic institution.
  • <00:10:49.640> within need to do is select a program within need to do is select a program
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: The subcommittee met on May 8, 2026, to narrow 12 proposed Legislative Audit Commission evaluation topics down to 8-10 semi-finalists for a legislative survey. Deputy Legislative Auditor Jodi Munson Rodriguez reviewed the selection criteria and explained which topics were promising now, which might be better deferred to fall because of timing or data limitations, and which were less promising because OLA would have limited ability to add value. She identified the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy, DHS Adult Day Services Licensing, DHS county service approvals and provision, MDH mortuary science program, MPCA feedlot permitting, Minnesota paid leave, the Office of Cannabis Management, and several other DHS-related items as candidates, while recommending that DHS system modernization be shifted to an IT audit and that corporate concentration be narrowed substantially if pursued. Members discussed several topics in detail. Representative Lee asked how a broad DHS county services topic could be narrowed and suggested providing legislators with an addendum listing possible subprograms so they would know what they were ranking; Munson Rodriguez said OLA could add a few suggested subtopics and tailor the survey materials. Representative Hansen urged that the MPCA feedlot permitting review focus on effectiveness and environmental and health impacts, not just speed, and Munson Rodriguez said those kinds of questions could be added. The Office of Cannabis Management was viewed as promising but probably too new to evaluate immediately, and the MDH mortuary science program was also seen as worthwhile but potentially delayed because of overlap with other MDH licensing work. The Minnesota research tax credit drew the most extended discussion. Munson Rodriguez said it remained a weak fit for OLA because of limited data and unclear program goals, and Senator Rest argued it would be better handled by the Department of Revenue’s research staff or possibly the Legislative Budget Office’s tax expenditure research section. Representative Lee asked whether OLA’s financial audit division could review whether the credit “pays for itself,” but Munson Rodriguez said that would require econometric analysis outside the financial audit division’s normal work. The committee did not take a formal vote in the portion provided, but the chair indicated the tax credit issue should be brought to the full commission agenda, and the meeting continued with additional topic review, including the Attorney General Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, which staff said was heavily federally controlled and already reviewed by federal OIG, limiting OLA’s likely impact.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Education K-16 (Part I) Apr 3rd, 2025

Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:
  • There is going to be some need for money investments, obviously, to get some startup programs going,
  • I'm the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.
  • It also starts with business and industry partnerships, building degree programs that are unique to the
  • Most importantly, I think the big benefit for the community is that we can align degree programs to fit
  • A&M's residency program that was brought to Victoria some years back is highly, highly successful.
Summary: The Senate Committee on K-16 met with 14 bills on the agenda and announced it would recess around 9:45 to attend the floor session, then resume afterward. The committee first took up Senate Bill 2361, which would transfer governance of the University of Houston-Victoria from the University of Houston System to the Texas A&M University System and rename it Texas A&M University-Victoria. Senator Cole explained that the committee substitute added transition language for employee health benefits and ERS contributions. Supporters, including Texas A&M System officials, Victoria’s mayor, regional economic development leaders, a Formosa Plastics representative, a Victoria College trustee, and a local business owner, said the move would better align the university with regional industry needs, especially engineering, agriculture, and workforce development, while helping retain local students and support economic growth. A Texas A&M official also noted accreditation, data-system, and other transition challenges, but said the change was manageable. Because there was no quorum, the committee could not adopt the substitute, and SB 2361 was left pending subject to the call of the chair after public testimony closed. The committee then heard Senate Bill 530 from Senator Sparks, which would update Texas higher education law to match federal rules allowing institutions to use any nationally recognized accreditor rather than only a regional accreditor. Sparks said the bill was a cleanup measure responding to a 2019 federal rule change and prior concerns had been addressed over the interim. Testimony in support came from a Texas Public Policy Foundation fellow, who said the bill would give universities flexibility, preserve quality standards, and simplify credit transfer and costs for students. With no opposition and no questions, public testimony closed and SB 530 was left pending. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Economic impact of immigration enforcement 3/5/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Please support an academic and economic impact study. Thank you. Thank you very much.
  • Please support an an<00:07:24.000> academic<00:07:24.919> and<00:07:25.080> economic
  • an academic and economic impact study. an academic and economic impact study.
  • just heading us down the road, wasting $500,000 to eventually waste more money on more fraud-ridden programs
  • <00:12:57.880> and fraud-ridden programs and fraud-ridden programs and um<00:12:59.000>
Keywords: 1183, house
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Legislative Session Day 14 (1-27-26)

Kentucky House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • A testament to its unwavering commitment to academic excellence and student achievement.
  • to its unwavering commitment to academic to its unwavering commitment to academic excellence<01:
  • Bill 488, Representative Gordon, an act relating to the Medicaid home and community-based waiver program
  • <01:36:46.639> House community-based waiver program.
  • House community-based waiver program.
Summary: The House convened on the 14th legislative day after winter weather closures, established a quorum, approved the prior journal, and received notice that the Senate had passed Senate Bills 27, 30, 40, and 76 and requested concurrence. The chamber also suspended rules to allow co-sponsorship and vote modifications, and later recessed briefly for caucus and for meetings of the committee on committees and the rules committee. Two bills were taken up and passed on the floor. House Bill 306, relating to criminal trespass, was explained as a workplace-safety measure that would define disruptive or threatening behavior in workplaces and increase penalties for repeat offenses; it passed 83-7. House Bill 34, relating to death benefits, was described as expanding recognized cancers for fire service-related benefits; it passed 92-0. After passage of HB 34, a motion for a clincher was adopted without objection. During announcements, a member from Todd outlined the newly filed branch budget bills and said the executive budget would be a scaled-back, “bare-bones” operational budget focused on restraining spending growth and inviting more public review through budget subcommittees. The House also adopted a citation honoring Notre Dame Academy and Catholic Schools Week, heard an announcement about hearing screenings by the Kentucky Academy of Audiology, and received a lengthy floor speech marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day before adopting House Resolution 30 without objection. At the end of the session, new bills and resolutions were introduced, including measures on lactation consultation, Medicaid waivers, a child tax credit, postsecondary employment, long-term care, court security officers, prisoner monitoring devices, administrative regulations, the state budget, transportation, legislative and judicial appropriations, stalking, and memorial overpasses. The committee on committees referred several bills to standing committees, the rules committee posted House Bills 56, 214, 281, and 366 for the next day, a floor amendment to House Bill 320 was reported, and the House adjourned until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Education Policy - 03/09/26

Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:03:46.319> On fulfill their academic needs. On fulfill their academic needs.
  • <00:04:12.400> also students academically, but they also students academically, but they also
  • legislator legislature created a program legislator legislature created a program allowing<00:10
  • The Anyone Can Save a Life program, which was rolled out the year before Teddy collapsed, is a good program
  • If the program is in place and there's accountability to have this program in place, that would be great
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Joint Education Committee, June 1, 2026 - PM

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • preparation programs.
  • these programs provide specialized these programs provide specialized education<01:35:08.080>
  • <01:42:35.119> that accredited education programs that accredited education programs that
  • that's used for these programs. that's used for these programs.
  • The school them up academically.
Keywords: 916, all
MD

Maryland 2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session, 2/18/2026 #1

Maryland House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • She later became the federal women's program manager at the Social Security Administration, responsible
  • These members represent academic, professional, technology, skill, managerial group, employees, and students
  • These members represent academic, professional, technology, skill, managerial group, employees, and students
  • These members represent<00:28:37.440> academic,<00:28:38.320> professional, represent academic
  • , professional, represent academic, professional, technology,<00:28:41.200> skill,<00:28:42.159
Summary: The House convened with 132 members present, offered prayer, approved the previous day’s journal, and adopted a House resolution honoring United Communities Against Poverty for 60 years of service in Prince George’s County fighting poverty. The organization’s board members were recognized in the gallery. The chamber then handled introductory business, including first-reading referral of House Bills 1587-1596, two introductory House bond initiatives referred to Appropriations, and Senate Bill 25 and other Senate bills received in the House and referred to committees. The House also took up committee reports and special orders. The Economic Matters Committee reported favorably on several bills, including House Bills 236, 241, 242, 259, and 308, all of which were adopted and ordered printed for third reading. On House Bill 146 regarding on-site wastewater systems, a friendly amendment was adopted to allow repair or replacement of failed drain field components needed to meet the bill’s requirements. On House Bill 220 concerning individual water meters/submetering, a substitute amendment was adopted to strike a provision related to eviction proceedings and keep the bill aligned with existing law; the bill was then ordered printed for third reading. Members also made several announcements recognizing visiting groups and observances, including the ALS Association, Career and Technology Education Month, Economic Development Day, Developmental Disabilities Day, Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day, the start of Ramadan, and Easter season. The House heard a Black History Month-style recognition of Ethel Beh Hill and welcomed multiple delegations and student groups. Committee and subcommittee meeting announcements followed, and with 134 members present, the House remained in session before the majority leader moved adjournment until Thursday, February 19 at 10:00 a.m.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Education Committee May 14th, 2025

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • I am a Latino mother to two successful academically kids. I am strongly supporting this bill.
  • It erodes constitutional free speech and academic freedom and I oppose it. Thank you. Thank you.
  • I strongly urge you to oppose AB 715 and protect inclusivity and academic freedom for our students.
  • of Temple Besh Shalom, public school teacher of 15 years and the founder of my school's newcomer program
  • I am a graduate of California's public schools, an educator, and a Japanese American who values academic
Keywords: 988, house, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Higher Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • This program has been This program has been an incredible experience; however, this journey has also
  • Our RISE program is a first-of-its-kind high-dosage tutoring program aimed at improving early literacy
  • Our My First Place program is a housing-first wraparound program tailored to supporting 18- to 22-year-olds
  • And that includes the tuition and fee waiver program.
  • Students are already getting tuition and textbook stipends through the MassReconnect program and programs
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Higher Education heard testimony on a broad set of bills focused on making public higher education more affordable and accessible, protecting student information, and changing social work licensure rules. Chair Rogers and Senator Comerford opened by emphasizing the committee’s focus on financial aid, tuition and fee waivers, scholarships, admissions, and institutional changes, and they reminded witnesses about the three-minute testimony limit. No votes were taken during the hearing. A large portion of the hearing centered on the “Super Act” (H. 1423/S. 218), which would eliminate the master’s-level social work licensing exam and create grant support for social work internships. Supporters—including students, practitioners, educators, and advocates—argued that unpaid internships and the exam create financial barriers, worsen workforce shortages, and disproportionately affect Black, brown, older, ESL, and other marginalized candidates. Opponents from the Association of Social Work Boards argued the exam is a necessary public-protection standard, helps maintain uniform licensure, and is important to the social work licensure compact; they said workforce shortages should be addressed through pay, working conditions, and caseloads instead. Committee members asked detailed questions about compact participation, exam accommodations, and how other states such as Rhode Island and Connecticut have handled similar changes. The committee also heard extensive testimony in favor of debt-free public higher education bills (H. 1436/S. 929). Witnesses, including students, faculty, advocates, and Senator Eldridge, said Massachusetts should expand on free community college by covering tuition and mandatory fees at public colleges and universities, with additional aid for living costs for lower-income students. Supporters said student debt delays homeownership, family formation, and career entry, and that the state should use Fair Share revenue to invest in public higher education. Some committee members voiced support but also raised concerns about prioritizing K-12 funding and the cost of expanding free college further. Several witnesses also supported bills to extend tuition and fee waivers to young adults raised by grandparents or other kinship guardians outside the DCF system, arguing that these students face the same trauma and financial barriers as foster youth but do not receive the same benefits. Representative Donato, Joseph O’Leary, Shauna Manning, Sandra Vecchio, Karen Gardner, Judy Walter, Elaine Arsenault, and others described the financial strain on grandparents raising grandchildren and urged parity with DCF-related waivers. In addition, Senator Jake Oliveira testified for a bill to protect public higher education student directory information from data mining and unauthorized sharing, and Deirdre Cummings testified for an open educational resources bill to reduce textbook costs. The hearing concluded with continued testimony on kinship care and college access, with committee members thanking witnesses and indicating follow-up on some bill language issues.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session (Part I) Jun 2nd, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • You know, my wife said that I was going to be on an exercise program starting tomorrow.