Transcript Highlights:

• "Wonderful." um way at all grade levels um and uh and um way at all grade levels um and uh and and<01
• <01:30:42.800> level consistent quality, clear grade level consistent quality, clear grade
• There's eight lessons per grade, grades K through 5, and then there's sets of 15 for grades 6 through
• There's eight lessons per grade,<01:39:13.199> grades<01:39:13.520> K<01:39:13.760>
• the older grade lessons. the older grade lessons.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:44:37.040> level<00:44:37.359> of grade level of grade level of mathematics
• All of the Algebra 1 content they've seen in eighth grade, they've seen it in ninth grade, they've seen
• All of the Algebra 1 content they've seen in eighth grade, they've seen it in ninth grade, they've seen
• All of the Algebra 1 content they've seen in eighth grade, they've seen it in ninth grade, they've seen
• Of that, the Algebra 1 content they've seen in eighth grade, they've seen it in ninth grade, they've

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm hearing that kids in the 8th grade who had parental participation in signing college contracts.
• That's why I mean, yeah, exactly, no matter what grade, exactly what age.
• level that had the least fights, social cyberbullying, and just bullying in general was seventh grade
• And so sixth grade and eighth grade suffered the most because those teachers did not enforce that policy
• saves me. and my students from the problem of collecting student notebooks for grading.

Bills: HB322, HB126, HB3062, HB1481, HB2310, HB2674, HB121, HB2243, HB3627, HB1178, HB367, HB5515, HB126, HB121

Keywords: JET Grant Program, career education, technical education, community colleges, technology solutions, high demand jobs, student athletes, name image likeness, compensation, intercollegiate athletics, representation, fentanyl prevention, drug poisoning awareness, higher education, mental health resources, substance abuse education, student policy, communication devices, school regulations, disciplinary measures

Transcript Highlights:

• topics such as sexual orientation and gender identity to young children starting as early as second grade
• By fifth grade, students are exposed to discussions on reproductive systems and sexual orientation. and
• by the eighth grade the curriculum addresses contraception, emergency contraception, and abortion.
• Health teaks require milestones of fetal development starting in grade five all the way through high
• The NASCS doesn't mention fetal development until 10th grade and they only require the students to leave

Bills: SB207, SB611, SB920, SB1174, SB1207, SB1325, SB1396, SB1551, SB1619

Keywords: SB 207, Texas Education Code, public school attendance, excused absence, mental health appointment, mental health care, behavioral health, school district, student absenteeism, same-day return, health care professionals, physician certification, religious holy days, court appearance, DFPS, foster care, education policy, student wellness, school mental health, attendance policy

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:16:33.040> Um, restraining a third grade student.
• Um, restraining a third grade student.
• Um, you know, currently we do have the ban for grade three or below.
• Um we don't I don't think grade three.
• And so I think um I I think I'm grade.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Miss Lis, is this for all state-developed tests, or just for the 11th and 12th grade tests?
• Miss Lis, is this for all state-developed tests, or just for the 11th and 12th grade tests?
• Miss Lis, is this for all state-developed tests, or just for the 11th and 12th grade tests?
• Miss Lis, is this for all state-developed tests, or just for the 11th and 12th grade tests?
• Miss Lis, is this for all state-developed tests, or just for the 11th and 12th grade tests?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• How is your fund going to get you to investment grade?
• How is your fund going to get you to investment grade? Thank you, Senator. It's a great question.
• <00:14:09.959> including remain investment grade including remain investment grade including
• credit rating back, because Hawaiian Electric does not have an investment-grade credit rating.
• <00:47:15.520> credit to get their investment grade credit to get their investment grade credit

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate hearing focused primarily on SB 1201, a wildfire measure that would create a wildfire recovery fund and allow securitization for electric utilities. Hawaiian Electric strongly supported the bill, saying it would help protect customers, property owners, insurers, and the broader economy from future catastrophic wildfire liability while improving the utility’s credit profile and lowering financing costs. Support also came from DCCA Consumer Advocacy, the Attorney General’s office on written comments, Ulupono Initiative, Clearway Energy Group, IBEW Local 1260, Par Hawaii, KIUC, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi, Plus Power, and numerous organizations and individuals. Opponents or commenters raised concerns about the liability cap, victim compensation process, and fund structure, including the Hawaiʻi Association for Justice, the Hawaiʻi Regional Council of Carpenters, and the Hawaiʻi Insurance Council; Henry Curtis of Life of the Land supported the concept of a fund but questioned the catastrophe threshold and whether the fund would be empty without a prudency finding. Much of the discussion centered on whether the proposed fund would actually help restore Hawaiian Electric to investment grade, with senators comparing the proposal to California’s wildfire fund. Hawaiian Electric said the bill was only one part of a broader process, alongside physical risk reduction and settlement finalization, and argued that without the bill the utility would not regain investment grade. Senators also questioned the proposed $1 billion fund size, the fairness of ratepayer contributions versus shareholder contributions, and whether customers should pay for consulting and administrative costs; Hawaiian Electric said its proposed amendment would remove those consulting-related charges. The company also said the fund would accrue interest and, if unused, could be returned to customers, and that there would be replenishment and supplemental contribution mechanisms if the fund were exhausted. The Attorney General’s office said it still had further amendments to discuss, and the departments had not yet resolved where the fund should reside administratively, though Hawaiian Electric said it believed DCCA was the appropriate place but was open to alternatives. KIUC requested two amendments. No vote or final committee action was taken during the hearing, and the measure remained under discussion with questions and proposed amendments still outstanding.

Transcript Highlights:

• slightly above helpful um I think it's slightly above my<01:12:49.199> pay<01:12:49.440> grade
• > to<01:12:50.000> my<01:12:50.400> understanding<01:12:50.639> of my pay grade
• as to my understanding of my pay grade as to my understanding of the<01:12:50.880> utility<01
• already a group, so there's presumably a host there that's producing renewable energy on a larger scale
• intellect ual property theft to a scale intellect ual property theft to a new<04:51:12.638> modus

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> So what we did in 2023 was ban the use of seclusion up through grade three.
• <00:19:55.280> And<00:19:55.520> what<00:19:55.760> we up through grade three
• And what we up through grade three.
• six, this goes up through grade 12.
• The disagreement over whether seclusion should be used in grades one, two, and three remains.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The program focused first on Minnesota Republicans’ efforts to combat fraud and improve government accountability, featuring Sen. Mark Koran. He argued that fraud in programs such as Medicaid, childcare assistance, PCA, autism services, housing support, and food aid harms both taxpayers and vulnerable recipients, and he cited cases where people in need were left without services. Koran said the problem stems from weak agency oversight, overreliance on self-attestation, and poor use of available data and site visits. He described a bill and related work to strengthen an independent inspector general structure, standardize eligibility checks, require better verification and external data use, and improve agency accountability; he also said federal involvement is necessary because many programs include federal dollars. No vote was taken in the interview, but he said the Senate had already passed an inspector general-related measure and that broader reform is still needed. The second major topic was the Senate DFL’s “ICE accountability agenda” in response to federal immigration enforcement activity in Minnesota. The package includes bills to protect sensitive spaces such as schools and hospitals, ban law enforcement officers from wearing masks while on duty, and allow Minnesotans to sue the federal government in state court. DFL members framed the issue as one of constitutional enforcement tactics rather than immigration policy, and said the measures are intended to prepare the state if ICE returns. No committee vote or final action was described. The final segment covered school seclusion policy. Sen. Judy Seeberger explained that seclusion is intended as an emergency safety tool, not discipline, but said the 2023 law banning it through grade 3 removed a resource without replacing it. She said supporters of the ban point to misuse and trauma, while she and a working group sought a compromise with tighter safeguards: extending the policy through grade 12, requiring explicit parental consent and access to the room, interpreter services when needed, and reporting if seclusion is used repeatedly. She said the working group’s recommendations were largely reached by consensus, but the issue remains unresolved and it is unclear whether further legislation will advance this session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Creighton relating to the development of a standard method of computing a student's high school grade
• School districts are to award equal weight and numeric conversion for grades in advanced academics offered
• Through third grade and through 12th grade. I'm sorry, through 12th grade. You're right.
• He's in fourth grade. He has a Hispanic teacher, and she's the best teacher he's ever had.
• My little sister. ...transferred to a new school in fourth grade.

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

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:

• Six years ago, he was diagnosed with brain cancer, glioblastoma grade four, and aggressive.
• <00:05:12.639> four<00:05:13.120> and blastoma grade four and blastoma grade four and
• Now I have three kids; my second child is going into fourth grade this fall.
• 10:47.959> fourth second child uh is going into fourth second child uh is going into fourth grade
• <00:10:48.639> this grade this grade this fall<00:10:50.399> um<00:10:51.200> and

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• that at least 70% of the students enrolled in the alternative education program or school are in grades
• 10, 11, or 12, rather than only grade 12.
• offer high school equivalency preparation instruction through accommodation schools to students in grades
• It used to be just 12th grade; now it's 10 to 12, but you have to be at least 16 years old.
• Would you feel about grades 11 and 12 only? I'm not sure. This one seemed reasonable to me.

Bills: SB1026, SB1126, SB1143, SB1166

Keywords: alternative education, school funding, student accountability, education reform, school district governance, educational records, student privacy, FERPA, family educational rights and privacy act, Department of Child Safety, DCS caseworker, child welfare, abuse or neglect, juvenile justice, juvenile court, juvenile corrections, school records, discipline records, attendance records, school district

Summary: The Senate Education Committee first considered the executive nomination of James McCain to the Arizona Board of Regents. McCain described his military service, education at Arizona State University, and interest in serving rural, tribal, and veteran communities through ABOR. Senators from both parties praised his background and bipartisan support, and McCain said his experience would bring accountability, leadership development, and a focus on affordability and student safety. The committee voted 7-0 to recommend his confirmation to the full Senate. The committee then heard SB 1026, which would limit how often alternative schools and alternative education programs must recertify and allow them to continue operating in good standing without repeated applications. An amendment added a five-year recertification limit, a 70% student-population threshold for qualifying alternative programs, an appeal process, and flexibility on instructional days. Supporters said the bill would reduce regulation for schools serving vulnerable students; opponents raised concerns about accountability and whether the bill clearly defined good standing. The committee adopted the amendment and advanced the bill 4-3. Next, SB 1126 was heard, requiring schools to provide Department of Child Safety caseworkers with information about who withdrew a student or requested records, and barring schools from preventing employees, contractors, or volunteers from speaking with DCS during abuse or neglect investigations. Senator Werner said it was developed with DCS after reviewing child deaths and system failures, including the Rebecca Baptiste case. The bill passed 7-0. SB 1143, which would require schools and LEAs to submit federal civil rights data to ADE and require an annual school safety report posted publicly, drew opposition from the Arizona Education Association as redundant and burdensome, but it still passed 4-3. Finally, SB 1166 would allow county school superintendents to offer high school equivalency preparation through accommodation schools to students in grades 10-12 who are at least 16 years old, rather than only 12th graders. The sponsor said the bill simply expands access to the program, while one senator questioned whether it might encourage students to pursue a GED earlier than intended. The committee advanced the bill 5-2, then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Trail uh at uh supports the grade Trail uh at uh supports the grade separation<00:12:56.720>
• applications of crust Rock and Grading applications of crust Rock and Grading every<00:36:17.480
• The project will remove an at-grade railroad crossing and three at-grade intersections, including two
• The project will remove an at-grade railroad crossing and three at-grade intersections, including two
• The project will remove an at-grade railroad crossing and three at-grade intersections, including two

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is not to prepare them for first grade because I know it's not going to prepare them for 12th grade
• them for 12th grade. them for 12th grade.
• Not<01:15:11.920> first<01:15:12.239> grade. Not first grade. Not first grade.
• If you don't have that, when they get into the first grade or the second grade, they're behind, and I
• or the second into the first grade or the second grade,<01:21:37.920> they're<01:21:38.159>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the June 9 minutes, then reviewed a deferred personnel contract involving workers’ compensation claims administration. Staff explained that the roughly $50 million figure included about $48 million for claims payments and up to $1.45 million per year for administrative services, with billing based on a fee schedule for specific services rendered. Senator Meredith raised concerns about the vendor’s history, the scoring and bid process, and prior allegations involving the company; the administration responded that the procurement had been conducted under 45A through open competition, with outside scorers and no finding of wrongdoing tied to this contract. Meredith moved to disapprove Contract 167, Hart seconded, and the committee voted 5-2 to disapprove it. The committee then deferred a Western Kentucky University personal services contract because the vendors were still not registered with the Secretary of State’s office. Hart moved to defer the contract until the August 2026 meeting, Meredith seconded, and the motion carried. The committee also approved the agenda covering the various contract lists and deferred items. Next, the committee heard from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services on several personal services contracts for medical staffing and related services. Secretary Steven Stack and staff explained that staffing shortages often require outside vendors, that the contracts were competitively bid under 45A, and that the cabinet uses a streamlined vendor pool for specialized needs such as actuaries, auditors, and technical consultants. The committee approved Contracts 52 through 55 without objection. Discussion then began on Contract 61, with Meredith expressing concern that the committee lacked enough detail to judge whether the services could be performed in-house or whether the exchange of resources was appropriate; Stack said the contract was intended to provide efficient access to specialized outside expertise. The transcript cuts off before a final vote on Contract 61 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Florida Department of Education is instructed to develop specific curricula tailored to various grade
• This curriculum is divided as follows: kindergarten to grade 3, the focus will be on introduction to
• physical disabilities and addressing bullying; grades 4 to 6, focus on autism spectrum disorder; grades
• 7 to 9, education on hearing impairments; and grades 10 to 12, understanding learning styles and intellectual
• 3 English Language Arts or Grade 4 Mathematics assessment in two of the last three years; the authority

Summary: The Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee heard and advanced a series of education-related bills, beginning with SB 540, the Evan B. Hartzell Act, which would require age-appropriate disability history and awareness instruction across grade bands. The committee adopted a delete-all amendment, heard emotional testimony from Melissa Hartzell about her son Evan’s experience with disability and inclusion, and reported the bill favorably. The committee also passed SB 1296, creating a pilot study on school cellphone bans; SB 1590, creating a task force to review educator preparation, certification, and professional learning; SB 1702, a broad education bill with provisions on private school facilities, marching band credit, school readiness reimbursements, and charter school monitoring tools; SB 1150, exempting school social workers from certain certification testing requirements; SB 1708, revising School of Hope rules and adding a Miami-Dade co-location framework; SB 822, updating charter school governance and operations; SB 444, requiring annual human trafficking awareness training for school personnel; and SB 742, expanding workforce development and money-back guarantee programs. Most of these bills were amended before being reported favorably by committee vote. The committee also considered and reported favorably SB 8, a claims bill providing a $1.2 million settlement for Marcus Button and his family arising from a 2006 Pasco County school bus crash that caused severe lifelong injuries. Senator Gaetz opposed claims bills in general, arguing the sovereign immunity cap should be raised so such cases can be resolved locally. Several bills drew questions and debate over implementation details, including concerns about charter school dress and hair policies under SB 822, the scope of human trafficking training under SB 444, and the zoning implications of private school facility provisions in SB 1702. Sponsor responses generally emphasized that the bills were intended to clarify existing policy or improve student safety, access, or educational outcomes. The committee also took up confirmation appointments. It recommended confirmation of the slate of appointees on Tabs 12 and 14 through 21 by voice vote, and separately recommended confirmation of Daniel Fogunoli to the State Board of Education after debate in which Senator Davis and Senator Osgood opposed the appointment. The meeting concluded with members recording additional votes, including Senator Burgess’s affirmative vote on SB 1150, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:43:02.480> that are your thoughts we maybe scale that are your thoughts we maybe scale
• nurses rejecting the form and requiring the new form annually because it says grade level on it.
• It did not have the grade level It did not have the grade level requirement<01:47:12.880> which
• <01:47:31.679> So<01:47:32.320> um because it says grade level on it.
• So um because it says grade level on it.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:49:15.760> 12 education through grade 12 education through grade 12 setting.<00:49:18.960
• preK through 12th grade principal at St. preK through 12th grade principal at St.
• Three of them, um, graduate 8th grade in that school.
• We g grades K through three in literacy.
• <01:58:18.639> across ages three through fourth grade across ages three through fourth grade

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If it was misused for kids younger than third grade and parents don't know about it.
• If it was misused for kids younger than third grade and parents don't know about it.
• If it was misused for kids younger than third grade and parents don't know about it.
• And in fact, the 23 grade 12.
• That has been ban up through grade 12.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Seclusion Working Group approved the minutes from its November 5, 2025 meeting and then heard presentations from Jessica Heiser and Aaron Sansmark of Solutions Not Suspensions and the Minnesota Disability Law Center on the misuse and illegal use of seclusion in schools. They described illegal seclusion as including use outside emergencies, for discipline or noncompliance, beyond the emergency period, in unregistered rooms, without parent notice, without required observation or documentation, for students outside the grade-limit rules, when meals/restroom/water are withheld, or when staff are not properly trained. They emphasized that Minnesota lacks a single reliable data source for identifying illegal seclusion and that families often learn about incidents late, if at all, making complaints and legal action difficult because of barriers such as time, cost, language, and access to advocates. The presenters summarized Minnesota Disability Law Center records, saying they receive about one seclusion-related case per month during the school year, statewide, and that in the cases reviewed over the last year the children were all boys with disabilities, including autism, ADHD, developmental delay, or emotional disabilities; three were white and two were children of color, and four of the five were age 10 or younger. They said all of those families pulled their children from school afterward, and that five of five cases potentially had valid illegal-seclusion claims, though only three pursued legal action. They also noted PACER reports many discipline and behavior calls involving seclusion but does not keep hard records. The presenters proposed better statewide data collection, including identifying school buildings, staff, or students involved, reporting incident duration, and adding a checkbox on MDE complaints to flag restraint/seclusion allegations. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on disproportionality. The presenters cited national research showing students with disabilities and students of color, especially Black boys, are disproportionately restrained or secluded, while acknowledging Minnesota does not have a single statewide racial aggregate for seclusion. Members discussed whether banning seclusion would reduce misuse and disproportionality, whether it could increase physical holds or injuries, and whether the issue should be viewed in the broader context of emergency interventions. Heiser argued Minnesota is moving in the same direction as federal actions and other states that have restricted or banned seclusion, and noted that the current birth-through-third-grade ban has reportedly reduced seclusion by 40%. Other members agreed disproportionality is a serious systemwide problem, but emphasized the need to keep the conversation focused on seclusion and emergency use. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Schools also support dual language immersion through vertical kindergarten through 12th grade alignment
• Implementation varies by grade level, but schools generally use heritage programs to build oral fluency
• So my district has about 12,000 students, as you know, from pre-K to 12th grade.
• For nine years, I did fourth fifth and sixth grade combined. I was big, happy.
• But right now, the subjects of instruction, grades K-8, present a tremendous challenge.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fifty-eight percent of eighth-grade students who participated in the survey reported gambling in 2024
• They’ve already offered full-scale casinos and table games.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, chaired by Rep. Carole Fiola and Sen. Barry Finegold, held a lengthy hearing on a range of gambling-related bills. Testimony first focused on H. 496 to allow the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to authorize Plain Ridge Park Casino to add table games and more slot machines. Supporters, including Rep. Jeffrey Roy, Sen. Finegold, Rep. Barry R. Finegold, Rep. Brian Vaughn, and Plainville officials, argued the change was needed to keep Massachusetts gaming dollars from flowing to Rhode Island, protect jobs, and preserve local tax revenue. They described Plain Ridge as a strong community partner and cited host-community benefits such as municipal infrastructure projects and local aid. Opponents or skeptical witnesses later argued that expanded gambling, especially online, would increase harm and cannibalize existing casinos and local economies. The committee also heard testimony on bills related to sports betting restrictions and online gambling. Sen. John Keenan presented a “Better Health Act” proposal to ban prop bets and in-play bets, require affordability checks, prohibit hosts, raise the sports betting excise tax, expand funding for problem-gambling services, and increase research and data sharing. He and supporters framed the bill as a public-health response to addiction, suicide, bankruptcy, and other harms. Rep. David Nangle, speaking from personal experience with gambling addiction, strongly opposed internet gaming, warning that it would intensify addiction and expose children and families to 24/7 gambling on phones. In contrast, Rep. David Moradian and industry witnesses supported H. 4431 to legalize and regulate internet gaming, arguing it would bring illegal activity into a regulated market, generate new revenue, and include consumer protections such as age verification, deposit limits, self-exclusion, and responsible-gaming tools. The committee also took testimony on H. 4238, which would expand fundraising options for fraternal organizations, especially the Elks. Rep. Bruce Ayers and Elks representatives said the bill would help lodges raise money for scholarships, veterans’ services, and community programs after COVID-related losses and declining membership. On H. 480, Rep. Kathleen LaNatra, Rep. Badger, and representatives of veterans organizations and gaming-machine operators urged allowing qualified veterans groups to participate in certain video gaming activity, saying it would provide a sustainable revenue source to keep posts open and support veterans’ services. Dr. Rachel Volberg testified that expanding gambling, especially online gambling and slot machines at veterans organizations, would likely increase gambling harm, and she urged stronger harm-prevention measures, data reporting, and research funding. Other witnesses, including anti-gambling advocates and industry representatives, sharply disagreed over whether legalization would reduce illegal gambling or worsen addiction and social costs. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.