Transcript Highlights:

• We provide a variety of financial aid packages, a variety of funds.
• “But so I think this is just a band-aid.
• The Cal Grant program is a financial aid program administered by the California Student Aid Commission
• The federal aid is only for U.S. citizens.
• and bypassing, applying for the aid that they're entitled to.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• which we used to call education aid which we used to call catastrophic<00:10:13.120> aid<00:10
• Instead with catastrophic aid support.
• special education aid money.
• special education aid. special education aid. >> Thank<01:13:24.640> you.
• special ed aid catastrophic aid, special ed aid >> um<01:31:53.760> annually<01:31:54.320

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The commission to study special education costs under SB 57 met for its second meeting, with members introducing themselves and reviewing background materials on New Hampshire special education identification rates, NAEP results, and a Wall Street Journal article about the rise in autism diagnoses. The chair explained that the commission is examining special education aid formulas, including how New Hampshire’s current catastrophic aid threshold works and how changes to that threshold might affect school districts, but noted that the needed data on how many students would shift into the aid system at lower thresholds is not yet available. The main testimony came from Henry Litman of HHS on Medicaid reimbursement in schools. He explained that school-based Medicaid funding is tied to health-related services, not all special education services, and that federal rules are changing in state fiscal year 2027. Under the new approach, schools will move away from an in-kind methodology to a certified public expenditure model that may also allow recovery of some overhead costs, such as support staff time. He said the state won a federal grant to help build the new system, hired a vendor, and is setting up training and a help center for districts. Members asked about why Medicaid claims have declined and whether districts are leaving money on the table. Litman said claims are down about 25% from pre-pandemic levels, with declines tied to federal and state rule changes, documentation requirements, provider qualification rules, and the end of temporary pandemic flexibilities. He said some districts adapted better than others depending on local medical-provider access and administrative capacity. He also said the new federal legislation does not directly affect schools, while New Hampshire’s return to pre-pandemic eligibility rules has reduced enrollment somewhat. No votes were taken, and the discussion ended with agreement that the commission needs better data to determine how much special education spending is truly Medicaid-eligible and whether additional legislation is needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Megan Flores, and I serve as the manager of State Financial Aid programs.
• either completion of the FAFSA or the State financial aid application.
• coordinating our State financial aid coordinating our State financial aid program<01:06:49.880><
• the FAFSA or the State financial aid the FAFSA or the State financial aid application<01:08:09.160
• state aid.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota's largest financial aid Minnesota's largest financial aid program<00:35:42.320> both
• in January to our financial aid in January to our financial aid partners.<00:39:25.760> The
• This change reduces state grant aid.
• until the fall when enrollment begins. aid community, uh, financial aid aid community, uh, financial
• the director of state financial aid the director of state financial aid programs.<00:51:11.359><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• operating um education aid. operating um education aid. >> Mhm. >> Mhm.
• And I think we're $250 building aid.
• to receive the targeted aid. to receive the targeted aid.
• <01:57:36.239> aid.
• needs and fiscal capacity disparity aids needs and fiscal capacity disparity aids disparities<03

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• uh benefit pension plans Legal Aid uh benefit pension plans Legal Aid Services<00:31:32.720>
• aid out of the aid so if you take legal aid out of the mix<00:32:48.240> and<00:32:48.519>
• Next, repeal local government cannabis aid.
• I'm here today to talk about two things: AIS prevention funding and also touch on cannabis aid.
• <00:54:33.720> is<00:54:33.839> the<00:54:33.960> most aid is the most aid is the

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That was super on compensatory aid.
• The urgency of aid. during this session.
• Kids deserve more than band-aids and the status quo.
• deserve more than band-aids and the status<00:36:04.560> quo.
• aid last term. term. term.

Bills: HF1048, HF1049, HF745, HF2210

Keywords: charter schools, education funding, revenue calculation, general education revenue, special education, school library aid, education finance, school districts, funding eligibility, compensatory revenue, task force, free meals, school funding, education equity, HF2210, school unemployment aid, Minnesota Department of Education, general fund appropriation, unemployment insurance, unemployment claims

Transcript Highlights:

• and the student support Personnel aid and the student support Personnel aid program<00:03:19.760
• existing student support Personnel Aid existing student support Personnel Aid as<00:15:15.160>
• <00:15:35.720> um of student support Personnel Aid um of student support Personnel Aid um
• to Safe School Aid.
• Aid to save<00:30:12.840> school<00:30:13.120> aid<00:30:14.080> I<00:30:14.159

Bills: HF56, HF780

Keywords: HF56, Minnesota bonding bill, capital investment, state bonds, bond proceeds fund, Hutchinson Area Transportation Services, Hutchinson, McLeod County, transportation facility, vehicle storage, equipment storage, fueling facility, temperate storage, local infrastructure, public works, general obligation bonds, education finance, school funding, state aid, appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• , and this is about building aid would only get 30% as building aid, as opposed to the range of 30 to
• , and this is about building aid would only get 30% as building aid, as opposed to the range of 30 to
• Uh, a 501(c)(3), something of that nature. ...getting building aid would only get 30% as building aid
• aid? aid?
• So the building aid um question.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard HB 1334, which would remove the Education Freedom Account scholarship organization’s authority to approve “any other educational expense” under the EFA statute. The prime sponsor, Representative Porchelli, said the bill would narrow the law to the specifically listed qualifying expenses, avoid broad interpretation, and shift any questions to the Department of Education or the legislative oversight committee. In response to questions, she said she did not think the open-ended category had been needed and that the statute already clearly lists allowable expenses. A representative of the Children’s Scholarship Fund testified in opposition, saying the category is used rarely but is important for unusual cases, especially students with special needs, and that removing it could create unintended consequences. After testimony, the chair closed the hearing on HB 1334. The committee then heard HB 1513, which would move several EFA reporting and oversight requirements from administrative rules and the contract with the Children’s Scholarship Fund into statute. Representative Porchelli said the bill would consolidate existing requirements on timely responses to oversight requests, publication of expense reports by category and provider, and transmission of eligibility and enrollment data to the Department of Education. She described the bill as mostly a clarification and transparency measure rather than a substantive policy change. Members asked about the meaning of “timely access,” the 45-day deadline, whether the contract already covered these duties, and whether the scholarship organization had ever failed to comply. The Children’s Scholarship Fund said it had generally met the 45-day deadline, had not knowingly refused information requests, and that the quarterly reporting requirement could add cost; the sponsor said the DOE had provided guidance and was neutral. The hearing on HB 1513 was then closed. Finally, the committee heard HB 1256, which would repeal the state librarian’s authority to award scholarships for graduate library school attendance at American Library Association-accredited schools. Representative Drago said the law was unnecessary because the state does not currently have a state librarian, scholarships are not typically granted by statute, and he objected to the ALA accreditation requirement and what he described as the association’s political advocacy. In questions, he clarified that the bill targets the accreditation requirement rather than a specific school and said he did not think the state should direct taxpayer-funded scholarships toward ALA-accredited programs. A member raised First Amendment concerns, but the sponsor said the issue was not speech itself, only the use of taxpayer dollars and state law to support that direction. The transcript cuts off before any vote or final action on HB 1256.

Transcript Highlights:

• In effect, they are allowed to have not just private duty nursing but offer an array of home health aides
• This is already common practice and part of the requirements for the aide and delegation of tasks.
• This is already common practice and part of the requirements for the aide and delegation of tasks.
• This training is not part of the 76 hours of training, but it is required for home health aides.
• 890 Do you know what the reimbursement rate is for the CNA home health aide employed by the agency?

Summary: The Health Facilities Subcommittee met to receive implementation updates from the Agency for Health Care Administration on three bills passed in prior sessions. First, Deputy Secretary Brian Meyer reported on the transfer of the Children’s Medical Services managed care plan from the Department of Health to AHCA under HB 1085. He said the move was administrative only, with no change to enrollment, providers, services, or clinical eligibility functions, and that it was intended to create efficiencies by aligning procurement and shifting staff resources between agencies. Members then questioned AHCA about reports of reductions in private duty nursing and therapy services for medically fragile children, including concerns about appeals, provider credentialing, and whether families were losing services or being transitioned appropriately. AHCA said it was reviewing denials, monitoring the plan, and using contractual remedies while focusing on maintaining access for members. The committee also reviewed implementation of a bill creating permanent Medicaid eligibility for individuals with permanent disabilities. AHCA staff explained that the agency had submitted a federal 1115 waiver request after public comment and stakeholder meetings, but CMS had indicated it did not anticipate approving the requested authority. Members pressed AHCA on why the waiver was submitted later than the bill’s directive date and on whether the delay was avoidable. AHCA said the waiver was complex and required review, drafting, and public input, and noted that DCF already has a specialized unit to help with redeterminations while the agencies work on operational changes. The committee discussed the practical impact on families who struggle with annual eligibility renewals and the need for clearer communication and faster follow-up from the agency. Finally, AHCA presented on the home health aide program for medically fragile children and related Medicaid eligibility changes. The agency described the 2023 law that created a family caregiver provider type and the 2025 changes that increased the hourly rate, expanded hours, reduced training requirements, and removed caregiver earnings from Medicaid eligibility calculations, subject to federal approval. AHCA said it had completed state public comment, submitted the waiver amendment to CMS, and was awaiting federal action. Members raised concerns that some families may have enrolled or begun work before the eligibility fix was in place and may have lost benefits, especially in Broward County. AHCA said it would work with affected families and plans, review outreach through DCF and the health plans, and continue rulemaking, system updates, and provider training. The meeting ended with the chair noting that the committee had received the updates and adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• But the idea was that Foundation Aid...
• If it was as similar to what we do with the foundation aid.
• If it was as similar to what we do with the foundation aid.
• aid number.
• aid number, that 46.7 million is the three and three.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to hear and discuss three education bills and related budget items. House Bill 1214 would revise K-12 transportation funding by replacing the current rider-based formula with a new formula tied more closely to district size, square mileage, building counts, and the weighted student payment. Sponsors and DPI said the change would better reflect actual transportation costs, hold districts harmless overall, and likely increase funding by about $4 million beyond current spending; they also said parent-provided transportation and open-enrollment mileage rules would remain largely unchanged. No opposition was heard, and the committee closed discussion without taking final action in the transcript. The committee then reviewed House Bill 1013, the education appropriations bill, and walked through proposed adjustments to program and pass-through grants. The chair proposed keeping or reducing some items, eliminating others, and moving one-time items to the stabilization fund; examples included leaving free meals at $4.5 million for now, keeping the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, reducing some grant lines, and removing several new or one-time grants. DPI also explained that the student information system would remain a flow-through grant for this biennium but would move in-house after July 1, 2026. The committee also discussed adding an FTE for the School for the Blind and making a small equipment swap at the Center for Distance Education. House Bill 1369 was discussed as the main school aid bill, including a proposed 2 percent and 2 percent per-pupil payment increase, higher construction bidding thresholds, elimination of the 12 percent cap, and a transfer of $75 million from Foundation Aid to the School Construction Revolving Loan Fund, with the chair suggesting $100 million instead. DPI explained that the bill also included a policy change returning placement decisions for students with disabilities in congregate care to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, with support from the governor’s office. The committee heard testimony from school officials seeking gap funding for Title I losses caused by a switch from free-and-reduced-lunch to census-based allocations, saying districts with many open-enrolled students could lose substantial funding and staff positions. Later, the governor’s office presented a proposed $1.5 million one-time appropriation to help schools buy secure storage for student cell phones if a statewide device policy is adopted; members raised concerns about cost, local control, and whether the money would be enough. The committee also heard student testimony and then recessed without voting on the amendment in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• LET'S TURN TO TAB ON SENATE BILL 126 ON PRESCRIPTION HEARING AIDS BY SENATOR BRADLEY.
• THE MAJORITY HAVE NEVER USED A HEARING AID.
• FLORIDA LAW PROHIBITS THE SALE OR DISTRIBUTION OF PRESCRIPTION HEARING AIDS THROUGH THE MAIL.
• MINOR PATIENTS WILL CONTINUE TO VISIT AN IDEOLOGIST OR HEARING AID SPECIALIST IN PERSON.
• LICENSE HEARING AID SPECIALIST OR IDEOLOGIST DETERMINES THE PATIENT NEED PRESCRIPTIONS HEARING AIDS

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• aid and some other resources there.
• aid and some other resources there.
• will get information about financial aid will get information about financial aid that<00:31:54.240
• couldn't be here or a financial aid couldn't be here or a financial aid manager<00:48:06.680>
• eligible for uh State financial aid eligible for uh State financial aid thank<01:30:37.840> you

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• provide money for school building aid provide money for school building aid for<02:05:10.000>
• for building aid for building aid and<02:06:20.320> it's<02:06:20.800> just<02:06:
• them to act even though there wasn't aid them to act even though there wasn't aid available.<02:
• ,<03:17:41.359> catastrophic<03:17:42.080> aid, differentiated aid, catastrophic aid
• , differentiated aid, catastrophic aid, and<03:17:43.200> IDEIDA<03:17:43.920> monies.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The work session began with HB 656, as amended, which would treat federal funds received by school districts as unanticipated money unless already listed in the annual report, and would require notices and school board minutes to identify the grant and summarize any obligations attached to accepting it. Supporters said the bill was aimed at transparency so voters would understand the “strings attached” to grants, while opponents raised concerns that the amendment was new, potentially vague, and could require districts to publish lengthy or redundant information, increasing costs and administrative burden. Several members suggested alternative approaches, such as a state-level list of common grant obligations or posting grant documents online. No vote was taken, and some members argued the bill was not ready for action. The committee then moved to HB 665, which would expand eligibility for free school meals to households at up to 300% of federal poverty guidelines and use education trust fund money to cover the added cost. Representative Damon strongly supported the bill, citing food insecurity and arguing the fiscal note likely overstated costs because the bill requires at least one free meal, not necessarily both breakfast and lunch. The discussion was just beginning when the transcript ended, and no vote or final action on HB 665 was recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are not able to count on any amount of rural aid when we create our budget.
• We are not able to count on any amount of rural aid when we create our budget.
• Full funding of rural school aid... ...of our smaller districts.
• Full funding of rural school aid ensures that no urban district loses funding.
• The difference in Chapter 70 aid in the 17 years between 2008 and 2025 is $55,401.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused primarily on H. 517/S. 314, a bill to provide a sustainable future for rural schools, and H. 697, a bill to require full funding of regional school transportation. Witnesses from rural districts, school committees, superintendents, students, and local officials described chronic underfunding, declining enrollment, high fixed costs, special education and transportation burdens, and the loss of programs, staff, and extracurriculars. Several speakers argued that rural aid should be funded at $60 million annually and made non-discretionary, while others emphasized that transportation reimbursement for regional districts has repeatedly fallen short of the state’s promise and is driving budget crises and overrides. A number of students testified in support of rural aid, describing cuts to classes, counselors, and activities, and the impact on their schools and communities. Committee members also discussed whether transportation policy should be revisited to address underlying cost drivers, including bus bidding practices and whether regional districts should have more flexibility in transportation requirements. The committee also heard H. 515, concerning Hancock Elementary School and a school choice-related exemption from a state requirement that has created a large financial burden for the district. Hancock’s superintendent and Rep. John Barrett explained that a decades-old regulation, recently enforced by DESE, would require Hancock to pay tuition for choice-in students through high school graduation even though the district only serves pre-K through grade 6 and sends its own students elsewhere for middle and high school. They said the rule creates a significant per-student shortfall and has forced Hancock to opt out of school choice. Committee members asked for clarification about how the arrangement works and how the costs fall on Hancock. Additional testimony supported related transportation bills for non-regional districts, especially Plymouth/Carver and North Middlesex, describing high and rising bus costs, special education and McKinney-Vento transportation expenses, and the strain on local budgets. Speakers repeatedly said that state reimbursement has not matched actual costs and that communities are being forced to choose between transportation and classroom services. No votes or final actions were taken in the hearing; the committee simply received testimony and closed the hearing on the bills discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also modifies the town aid formula so that total town aid appropriation is distributed and that no
• <00:54:00.720> um<00:54:01.200> since aid um since aid um since 2014.<00:54:03.200>
• > other<00:54:06.559> local increased aids to other local increased aids to other local
• <00:54:20.240> from this bill would increase the aid from this bill would increase the aid
• Now, while that varies from aid.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With the California Student Aid Commission, on behalf of the Student Aid Commission, we appreciate Governor
• As also noted in your agenda, we at the Student Aid Commission...
• This is categorized as financial aid.
• Good morning again, Jake Bremner with the Student Aid Commission.
• Hearings the role that we at the Student Aid Commission play in administering those state financial aid

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a regional nonprofit legal aid organization.
• And so I'm here today to speak in strong support of funding for the Board of Civil Legal Aid.
• As a legal aid attorney, I serve a pool of 5,773.
• I'm also the president of the Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid Workers' Union.
• No one pursues a career at Legal Aid for the salary.

Bills: HF2300

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, we want to make sure that law enforcement, especially at a scene where a lot of mutual aid
• , receive financial aid, and it's all online.
• ,<00:16:13.760> receive get apply for financial aid, receive get apply for financial aid,
• <00:16:16.560> And financial aid and it's all online.
• And financial aid and it's all online.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It has been almost a year to the date that Governor Gavin Newsom requested federal aid from President
• To the president and members of Congress, disaster aid is not a tool or a political... ...pawn.
• Because I think your residents would love to get some of the aid.
• When federal aid is delayed, when it's limited, when it's conditioned, real people suffer.
• It is about making sure that we ask the federal administration not for unreasonable aid.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, heard a prayer and pledge, and then moved through a largely ceremonial floor session with multiple guest introductions and recognitions. Members honored the retirement of long-serving committee secretary Marisa Lancaster, recognized Assemblymember Rubio’s parents on her mother’s 80th birthday, welcomed school and agency guests, and celebrated Crescenta Valley Water District’s 75th anniversary. The body also adopted several resolutions recognizing Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day and California FFA, with strong bipartisan support and co-author additions. The main policy item was AJR 27, a resolution urging federal disaster aid for Los Angeles-area wildfire recovery, especially the Palisades and Eaton fires. Supporters from both parties emphasized the need for immediate, unconditional federal assistance for displaced residents, businesses, and communities still rebuilding, while some Republicans argued the state and local governments should move faster on permitting, recovery, and mitigation and criticized state spending priorities. After debate, the resolution was opened for co-authors and then adopted on a 68-0 roll call vote. The Assembly also adopted ACR 133 on Girl Day by voice vote after 70 co-authors were added, ACR 138 honoring FFA with 73 co-authors and voice adoption, and ACR 136 on Engineers Week with 69 co-authors and unanimous consent on the consent calendar. The chamber then heard adjournment-in-memory tributes for Juan Antonio Pacheco and Paul L. McAiley, and adjourned until Monday, March 2, at 1 p.m.