Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:57:19.760><c> including</c> lency may supervise students including lency may supervise students
• </c><01:13:17.760><c> veterinary</c> practitioner, mobile veterinary practitioner, mobile veterinary
• </c><01:35:52.400><c> was</c> alongside dozens of other students was alongside dozens of other students
• </c><01:58:04.320><c> radiography</c> temporary student radiography temporary student radiography application
• </c><01:58:11.440><c> employment</c> amends to update student employment amends to update student employment

Keywords: 0:00 – Meeting start/roll call 0:10 - Roll call/approval of minutes 1:43 - Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), Department for Medicaid Services 27:40 - Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control 55:54 - Board of Veterinary Examiners 1:33:15 - Testimony in support of 804 KAR 13:010E, 020E, 030E and 040E. 1:49:04 - Education Professional Standards Board 1:49:58 - Attorney General, Office of Regulatory Relief 1:52:18 - Kentucky Public Pensions Authority (KPPA) 1:54:28 - Board of Nursing 1:56:44 - Board of Occupational Therapy 1:57:37 - Board of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy 1:58:58 - Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources 1:59:50 - Economic Development Finance Authority 2:01:34 - Department of Corrections 2:02:37 - Department of Juvenile Justice 2:04:02 - Department for Employment Services, Unemployment Insurance 2:04:57 - Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), Department for Public Health, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then took up Department for Medicaid Services regulations 907 KAR 23:010 and related rules. DMS explained that one regulation would establish a beneficiary advisory council and another would remove language barring coverage of GLP-1 drugs for obesity-related use. The department said coverage would still be limited by prior authorization and clinical criteria, with use tied to underlying chronic conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease, and that the pharmacy and therapeutics committee would help set the detailed standards. Members discussed the potential health benefits, but several raised concerns about cost, timing, and whether the legislature and the Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board should review the policy first. DMS said the drugs are already on the formulary, that current Medicaid users with diabetes are already covered, and that the fiscal impact was estimated using current utilization, rebates, and expected savings; the department also said it would only cover the drugs if subject to rebates. The committee then voted 5-1 to find 907 KAR 23:010 deficient. The committee next considered several emergency regulations from the Public Protection Cabinet’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control implementing SB 100. The rules covered tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product licensing, including the application form, denial standards, and transitional licensing. ABC counsel said the department had received about 5,500 applications and issued nearly 5,000 licenses, with additional provisional licenses issued to avoid interruption in sales after the law’s effective date. He said some applications remained pending because inspections and photographs revealed possible unauthorized nicotine vapor products, and the department was seeking documentation before approval. A staff amendment was adopted without objection before the ABC presentation continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• You may have remembered the secretary talks about a case where we had a student from the Whatcom County
• these days, though they are unpaid, you are also taking some of the heavy burden off workers or students
• who, while many legally can take these days, often have to miss… …of workers or students who, while
• Local jurisdictions may request mobilization of resources for an emergency that exceeds its capabilities
• Local jurisdictions may request mobilization of resources for an emergency that exceeds its capabilities

Bills: SB6084, SB6044, SB5950, SB6046, SB5763, SB5784

Keywords: elections, double voting, voting twice, multiple voting, same-day election, primary election, general election, special election, cross-state voting, ballot fraud, election fraud, voter misconduct, RCW 29A.84.660, State v. Padilla, civil infraction, class C felony, Secretary of State, Washington elections, election law, voter eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• They're coordinating on it to do what they can to best help those students, both prior to the rebuild
• emergency protective measures, emergency sheltering costs, and the cost for staff that have been mobilized
• Students and colleagues, I look forward to working with you on all of those issues, but I think there
• Many of my local school districts are now seeing a huge influx of students—students that need help, and
• We need to make investments to restore mobile home parks.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fleming's current work centers on addressing the long-recognized transition gap faced by students with
• He also works for Edmond Mobile Meals. Come on, man. Attaboy.
• He also works for Edmond Mobile Meals. Come on, man. Attaboy.
• He also works for Edmond Mobile Meals. Come on, man. Attaboy.

Summary: The House convened, the clerk called the roll, and members proceeded through the day’s ceremonial order of business, including prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and introductions. Chaplain Ronnie Wilson delivered the invocation, and Representative Shaw introduced Veteran of the Week Edward Marion Green of Chandler, a Navy veteran and chaplain’s assistant who was honored with a House citation. Mr. Green’s family and friends were recognized on the floor, and he led the chamber in the Pledge of Allegiance. The House also featured several special presentations. Representative Culver promoted Tahlequah’s Red Fern Festival and introduced the festival court. Representative Duel introduced psychologist Dr. Sherry Fleming, highlighting her work in higher education and transitional services for students with disabilities. Representative May introduced nurse Alyssa Jones of Broken Arrow, emphasizing her work in rural health care. Representative Hill introduced the week’s pages, recognizing a group of high-achieving students from across Oklahoma. Additional announcements included Speaker Pro Tem Moore welcoming his family to the chamber and Representative Harris recognizing them as well. Representative Patskowski announced an agriculture committee meeting. No legislation was debated or voted on in the transcript; the only formal action was the reassignment of measures according to the majority floor leader’s list, followed by adjournment until the next day at 9:30 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• What that provides for is if somebody owns their mobile home but they lease their pad within a mobile
• The base student allocation increased by $85, and the funds per student increased by $150.31, bringing
• It is all students; all students are funded the same way in Florida. Representative Gatt.
• There were no apples-to-apples assessment of student growth or student learning gains every year.
• So there is a plan for the students who are currently attending that campus and for USF students to finish

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fourth, consumer behavior shifts and mobility changes appear to be amplifying economic impacts.
• loans. ...exclude graduate nursing students from federal professional loans.
• So this is Nicole, who's a graduate student researcher at UC Berkeley.
• This center has trained over a thousand students.
• Next is CETA, who's a graduate student researcher at USC.

Summary: The Senate Labor and Public Employment Committee held an oversight hearing on federal policy impacts on California’s labor market. In opening remarks, the chair argued that federal actions, including immigration enforcement, tariffs, and cuts to safety-net programs, are harming workers, employers, and communities, and said the committee wanted to document impacts and identify state responses. The first panel featured economist Enrique Lopez Lira of UC Berkeley, who described slow job growth, wage pressures, high housing and care costs, and the large share of California workers in low-wage jobs. He said federal cuts to Medi-Cal and SNAP/CalFresh and increased immigration enforcement would worsen insecurity, especially in health care, retail, hospitality, agriculture, and care work. The chair asked about recession indicators, middle-wage stagnation, and which sectors rely most on safety-net programs, and Lopez Lira said worker organizing and unions were a source of hope. A second panel focused on federal immigration enforcement. UC Merced’s Edward Orozco Flores presented research finding that private-sector employment in enforcement-targeted states fell during escalated enforcement periods, with California experiencing unprecedented declines in 2025. He urged policymakers to consider wage-replacement or stimulus-style support for affected workers, including excluded workers who cannot access unemployment insurance. Shannon Sedgwick of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation said undocumented workers are deeply embedded in the county economy, generating substantial economic activity and supporting over a million jobs. She reported that intensified enforcement in Los Angeles County was associated with business disruptions, reduced sales and customer traffic, workforce instability, lower transit ridership in vulnerable areas, and losses from the downtown curfew. Committee members asked about impacts on small businesses, tax revenue, and recovery, and witnesses pointed to local resiliency funds, business toolkits, and know-your-rights efforts as partial responses. The hearing then heard from worker representatives. Flore Melendres of the Clean Car Wash Worker Center said car washes have been heavily targeted by federal agents, with hundreds of workers taken from workplaces, many businesses disrupted or closed, and workers living in fear; she urged support for AB 2271 to provide financial benefits to families who lost income because of DHS activity. California Nurses Association president Michelle Gutierrez-Vos said H.R. 1’s Medi-Cal and Covered California cuts threaten hospital finances, jobs, and patient care, and she backed CalCare (AB 1900), a hospital closure moratorium, and more support for nursing education. UAW 4811 president Rafael Jaime said federal research cuts are putting UC research funding and postdoctoral jobs at risk and endorsed SB 895, a proposed bond measure for health and scientific research. AFGE representatives Wallace Wade and Kendrick Roberson described the strain on federal workers during shutdowns, unpaid work, staffing losses, and the effects on TSA, Social Security, VA services, and worker housing stability; they supported SB 1155 to protect federal workers from eviction. Committee members thanked the witnesses and said the testimony showed both the human and economic consequences of federal policy. In the final panel, employer groups began responding to the same federal pressures. California Retailers Association president Rachel Michelin said retail is a major private-sector employer and a key entry point for young workers, and that retailers are seeing the effects of rising costs, supply-chain shifts, and consumer pressure at the checkout counter. The hearing continued with additional employer testimony beyond the provided excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Students generally have a better grasp on technology than their parents.
• for those students, and ensuring a resilient institution.
• They shape the character of students. They cultivate excellence.
• is improving our student success rate.
• The Slate program, where the parents of the students can actually monitor the students' success, which

Bills: S1694

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

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met with a quorum present and first took up CS for SB 1694, which would require technology-integrated postsecondary general education core courses to include digital literacy and competency instruction, including use of artificial intelligence tools, and encourage high school computer science courses with AI content to teach how AI systems use data, their benefits and limitations, and responsible use in academic and personal contexts. The bill drew support from several speakers who emphasized the need for students to understand AI’s capabilities, limitations, ethics, and risks, while one speaker raised concerns about overreliance on AI and the loss of skills. Senator Davis said the bill was a good step toward preparing the future workforce and suggested earlier instruction might be worth considering later. The bill was reported favorably, and Senator Leek asked to be recorded in the affirmative. The committee then heard a long series of confirmation presentations for trustees at multiple Florida colleges and universities, including Tallahassee State College, USF, UNF, Palm Beach State College, the College of the Florida Keys, Hillsborough College, Miami-Dade College, Florida A&M University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, New College of Florida, Florida Polytechnic University, and the University of Florida. The appointees generally emphasized student success, workforce alignment, fiscal responsibility, access and affordability, and institutional growth; several members and senators offered supportive comments, with some asking about specific issues such as Tallahassee State’s NCLEX passage rates and the need for continued improvement. One appointee’s attendance was delayed or skipped for later consideration, but the committee ultimately took a block vote and reported the confirmations favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee. Finally, Chair Harrell gave a brief overview of the higher education budget, describing a total of $11.9 billion and highlighting increases for workforce education, Florida College System operating funds, workforce development capitalization, the Rural Incentive for Professional Educators program, the USF Center for Nursing, preeminent research universities, UCF’s community school grant program, UF’s Lassinger Center on Learning, the Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment, and campus security through a postsecondary guardian program. Senator Davis asked about a transfer related to the workforce development capitalization and incentive grant fund, and the chair explained it was a transfer of an existing program with new funds being added. There was no public comment on the budget, and the meeting adjourned after Senator Leek requested to be recorded in the affirmative on SB 1694.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it was about economic mobility and social mobility.
• Student success means recruiting more students than other programs.
• But 93 students have come back.
• So it's not just recent students. These students go back a ways.
• System pathways and the lived experiences for a variety of students and student types.

Summary: The Higher Education Institutions Committee met at NDSU and heard an extensive presentation from President David Cook/President Stewart and NDSU leadership on the university’s priorities, including enrollment, student success, research growth, and use of New Horizons funding. Leaders emphasized NDSU’s land-grant mission, its role in workforce development, and its goal of becoming more distinctive through strategic planning, recruitment and retention, commercialization, and partnerships. They highlighted that NDSU awarded 2,370 degrees in 2025, produces a large share of the state’s engineering, nursing, and agriculture graduates, and reported strong outcomes for graduates staying and working in North Dakota. They also noted enrollment headwinds, competition from other institutions, and the need to manage tuition waivers more carefully through a scholarship optimization effort. Provost Sherry Vale outlined academic stewardship efforts, including review or consolidation of low-producing programs, strategic hiring tied to institutional priorities, faculty workload policy changes, and expanded online and regional offerings. She said the university is using New Horizons dollars to strengthen advising, student support, and programs in engineering, agriculture, and health. NDSU leaders also described new or expanded academic offerings such as robotics and automation, artificial intelligence, material science and engineering, nuclear engineering certificates, accelerated nursing, nurse practitioner certificates, a Master of Health Administration, and a clinical research master’s program with Sanford Health. They stressed that these investments are intended to improve student completion, meet workforce needs, and increase return on public investment. The committee also heard testimony from students and recent graduates who described the value of NDSU’s education, mentorship, internships, research opportunities, and support services. Alyssa Hodges spoke about pharmacy education, public health work, and campus support as a parent and student; Ethan Blessy described engineering coursework, internships with Marvin, and career preparation; and Aiden Freolic discussed neuroscience research, federally funded projects, and plans for graduate study. Their testimony was followed by presentations on partnerships with Gateway to Science for K-12 STEM outreach and with Sanford Research on biomedical research, clinical trials, obesity research, and a joint biostatistics hire. NDSU also highlighted systemwide shared services, Governor’s School programming, and research growth, including a reported 8% increase in research expenditures from $199 million to $215 million. No bill votes were taken; the meeting was informational and featured presentations, testimony, and discussion of future planning and partnerships.

Transcript Highlights:

• The mobile live scan devices, the $551,500 one-time request from federal funds, are to implement a mobile
• This request would cover the purchase of 55 mobile live scan devices, 40 of which would go to ISP, and
• These community colleges do great things for our students and for our workforce pipeline, and I think
• This is actually a one-time expenditure from the Career Ready Students Fund.
• A one-time expenditure from the Career Ready Students Fund, and we just tried to do what we could to

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our school districts serve over 33,000 students in 68 school sites, from kindergarten to high school.
• We estimate that we have incurred over $56,000 for serving lunches to the students who were evacuated
• Commercial production is highly mobile.
• Commercials are short, fast-moving, and highly mobile productions.
• Of our youngest community members, specifically our babies and TK through 12 students.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:51.279><c> fourth</c> invited students across Utah's fourth invited students across Utah's
• </c> Over the years, many of these students Over the years, many of these students have<07:33:54.718>
• </c> achievement and for providing students achievement and for providing students with<07:34:15.920>
• ,</c> which we have upward mobility, which we have upward mobility, some<08:07:06.240><c> things</c><
• ,</c> which we will have upward mobility, which we will have upward mobility, money<08:07:13.440><c>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to put in a veteran service officer office, a veteran student lounge, and some community... student
• We do have patients who need to utilize those elevators based on their mobility needs.
• It's like my turn, and I'm working with a student in a high school to help them get past high school
• The screen is just a lot safer, and it can be replicated exactly for every student that goes through
• in a mobile command fleet designed to support large-scale emergencies and critical incidents.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They have a two-year program for students in the summer. It's a professional summer stock theater.
• They bring up professional directors, choreographers, and talent to work with the students.
• So that matching of the professionals with the students, it's beneficial to the students and to their
• They're not just students coming out wondering where am I going to go to work.
• I have students that try to get away with giving me AI-generated scripts, and guess what?

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They are serving many, many more students than they were.
• Every single student is allowed to walk onto a community college and be served as a student.
• The average age of community college students is much older than your traditional students.
• Every single student is allowed to walk onto a community college and be served as a student.
• The average age of community college students is much older than your traditional students.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the 2026 Budget Act, which leaders said was the negotiated compromise with the Senate and was expected to move to the floor that evening. Opening remarks emphasized that the plan balances the budget over two years, reduces the structural deficit, and builds reserves, while also protecting core services in the face of federal cuts. Jason Sisney outlined the legislative budget framework and the likely floor bills, including AB 109, SB 110, SB 122, and SB 125. Department of Finance representative Eric Khali said the administration appreciated the two-year balanced approach and supported the modification in SB 122, while noting the package uses additional revenues and new spending to soften or reject some proposed cuts. Most of the discussion focused on major spending areas. Members and subcommittee chairs highlighted protections and additions for health care and human services, including rejecting the proposed Medi-Cal asset limit change, delaying premium increases, restoring clinic and dental funding, supporting distressed hospitals and county indigent care, and expanding county eligibility staffing to handle H.R. 1-related workload. Education members described record or expanded support for TK-12 schools, child care, special education, community colleges, teacher recruitment, and higher education, including a change to extend Cal Grant eligibility to age 30 for some community college students. Housing and homelessness funding was increased for HAP, multifamily housing, and the low-income housing tax credit, while public safety members pointed to investments in victims’ services, restorative justice, and prison closure savings. Several members also raised concerns or priorities tied to the budget deal. Some praised the package as a moral document that protects vulnerable Californians, immigrant communities, LGBTQ residents, seniors, and people with disabilities. Others noted unresolved issues, including the MCO tax’s impact on districts, the need for more support for local journalism, arts, biotech R&D incentives, transit and GGRF-related concerns, and the need for continued work on Prop. 98 and long-term fiscal resilience. The vice chair cautioned that despite the current progress, the state remains vulnerable to revenue volatility and warned that the budget should build more resilience against a possible downturn. No formal vote was taken in the portion provided, but the committee was preparing the budget package for floor action and final negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're helping our students and families.
• We need this many students because 20% of our students get a referral.
• It's adaptive, so student A is not necessarily taking the same test as student B.
• Your low-income students are the students who are often transient. They move from house to house.
• Your low-income students are the students who are often transient. They move from house to house.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education heard testimony focused on the effects of educational technology and screen time on K-12 students, with particular attention to House Bill 2230 and related policy changes. Dr. Mariam Mohamed Connie argued that one-to-one devices, digital instruction, and early screen exposure harm children’s learning, attention, physical development, and mental health, and that schools should return to more analog methods such as paper, handwriting, cursive, phonics, and print-based materials. She cited international and national assessments, research on handwriting versus typing, and her experience on the Springfield Public Schools board, saying the district saw improved MAP scores after scaling back Chromebook use in elementary grades and reintroducing books and cursive. Several witnesses and committee members discussed the practical and budgetary implications of reducing screen use. A Springfield administrator said many teachers were trained in technology-heavy environments and would need support to teach without relying on devices, and she estimated Chromebooks and related infrastructure cost more per student than textbooks, manipulatives, and paper. Another witness from the Missouri National Education Association supported the bill’s direction, saying elementary years are critical and that the state should signal a move away from overuse of screens while allowing districts time to adjust. Committee members emphasized local control, the need for a task force, and the importance of involving DESE because state testing and standards currently drive much of the digital use in schools. The discussion also covered Missouri Learning Standards, computer science requirements, and the tension between digital testing and classroom instruction. Speakers criticized the fact that MAP testing is digital and adaptive, arguing it forces schools to keep devices in elementary grades just to prepare students for state assessments. The chair and other members said the bill was intentionally nonprescriptive, aiming instead to create a task force and encourage local districts to develop screen-time policies, especially for elementary students. The hearing ended without a vote, and the committee adjourned after public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Mobility as a company out of Michigan. Mobility as a company out of Michigan.
• </c><00:57:00.799><c> These</c> advanced mobility systems. These advanced mobility systems.
• In and mobility systems of the future.
• </c> secure wheelchairs, assist with mobility secure wheelchairs, assist with mobility devices,<01:13
• </c><01:45:34.560><c> doing</c> encouraged, they have May Mobility doing encouraged, they have May Mobility

Bills: HF3553, HF3513, HF3576

Keywords: vehicle platooning, transportation, public safety, pilot project, Wilkin County, Grant County, autonomous vehicles, transportation regulations, driverless cars, safety standards, first responder interaction, school bus, third-party testing, driver certification, transportation regulation, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , pathways to social mobility.
• Students in our education system today.
• You had plumbing students going in to rough out plumbing.
• It was enlightening to see, and I'm so proud of those students.
• You had plumbing students going in to rough out of plumbing.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate took up Senate House No. 4010, a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill funded largely by surplus Fair Share revenues. The Ways and Means chair described the bill as a $1.28 billion package, with major investments in education and transportation, including special education circuit breaker aid, higher education deferred maintenance, career technical education capital grants, school construction relief, high-dosage tutoring, English language learning grants, MBTA reserve replenishment and safety training, commuter rail maintenance, Chapter 90 local road aid, regional transit authority support, ferry and micro-transit funding, and a small World Cup transportation appropriation. Members from both parties generally praised the bill’s one-time, regionally balanced approach while emphasizing fiscal discipline and the limited, surplus-based funding source. The minority leader and others questioned the fund balances and the use of the education and transportation innovation and capital fund, the Student Opportunity Act trust fund, and the transitional escrow account; the chair said the bill would zero out the innovation and capital fund, leave about $430 million in the SOA trust, and about $200 million in the escrow account. Several members highlighted specific priorities. Senator Cronin and Senator Feeney strongly supported the $100 million career technical education investment, arguing it would expand vocational opportunities in comprehensive high schools and help meet workforce needs. Senator Feeney also emphasized MBTA funding, special education, local road repairs, English language learning tied to workforce needs, and World Cup preparations in Foxborough. Senator Comerford praised the bill’s regional equity, higher education maintenance funding, special education support, and transportation investments, while also noting the need for broader future work on Chapter 70 and school finance. Senator Tarr supported the bill but repeatedly stressed that the spending was a unique one-time opportunity and that the Commonwealth should preserve fiscal reserves and continue to address school funding inequities and MBTA finances more broadly. The chamber then considered numerous amendments. Amendment 1 on tariff pricing transparency was withdrawn after brief remarks, and Amendment 14, proposing a DESE study on educational outcomes for young men and boys, was rejected. Amendment 182, funding Worcester Regional Transit Authority capital expenses, was adopted. Amendment 228, adding $500,000 for Free Period to expand access to menstrual products in schools, was adopted. Amendment 257, funding Springfield Public Schools communication and safety systems, was also adopted. Other amendments, including Tarr amendments on supplemental district aid, MBTA reporting, and the Foundation Budget Review Commission, were rejected. Amendment 308 concerning MBTA Communities and Milton was withdrawn, after which Senator Driscoll began a presentation arguing Milton was being misclassified under the MBTA Communities Act and should be treated fairly under the law.

Transcript Highlights:

• Residents in mobile home communities are in a crisis that need help.
• </c> to buy a mobile to buy a mobile to<00:26:12.400><c> risk</c><00:26:12.720><c> having</c><00:26:12.960
• </c> mobile, you know, manufactured home. mobile, you know, manufactured home.
• </c> And again, this also impacts college students too.
• Minnesota's own mobile cause standards.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We educated 11,000 students, or we will educate 11,000 students this year.
• student.
• for single-section mobile homes and from $20,000 to $30,000 for multi-section mobile homes.
• That's $427 per student, roughly.
• These are students.

Summary: The joint House and Senate Appropriations committees met to hear the FY 2027 budget package, beginning with the General Appropriations Act (HB 4154/SB 1847). Staff outlined the overall budget, including one-time fund transfers, lump-sum reductions, funding for state employee health insurance, school facilities, corrections, flood and wildfire relief, education and child care, and other ongoing and supplemental items. Members briefly discussed the absence of a requested $1.5 million for the oversight office, but the chair said no amendments would be taken in committee and that only limited technical changes were likely later in the process. Public testimony on the feed bill was largely supportive but focused on specific funding concerns. Testimony highlighted school safety funding, Alzheimer’s services, small business tax expensing provisions, disability oversight for group homes, county use of opioid settlement dollars, adult education/community college funding, victim notification funding, and ESA oversight. Several speakers praised the budget for funding DDD and other services, while others opposed or sought changes to items such as the COMIT group home monitoring program, Maricopa Community Colleges’ lack of operating aid, and a possible cut to the victim notification program. The chair repeatedly emphasized that changes to the negotiated budget would be difficult and should be routed through leadership. The committee then moved quickly through the remaining budget reconciliation bills. Staff summarized bills covering amusement and wagering, capital outlay, commerce, criminal justice, environment, health care, higher education, human services, and K-12 education. Notable provisions included continued wagering assessments, highway and building renewal funding, defense innovation and economic development changes, corrections and wrongful conviction provisions, groundwater and water banking measures, health insurance oversight and opioid settlement provisions, higher education funding and ABOR operating caps, SNAP and housing trust fund changes, and a 2% inflation increase for K-12 formula components. The K-12 bill also included a biometric school safety pilot and a child sexual abuse prevention pilot. No votes were taken in the portion provided, and the chair indicated the committee would continue through the remaining bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• But the Freedom Truck is the White House's version of a mobile museum.
• So any student across the country can go online and take the preliminary civics test.
• But they are hoping to choose four students from each state to then participate in a contest mirrored
• That is going to be closing for applications March 15th, so if you have students or individual educators
• in your districts, please encourage them to have students submit for that contest because it will be

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The America 250 and Idaho Advisory Council approved the January 19 minutes and also approved reimbursement of up to $20,882 to the state superintendent for additional materials for Spirit of U.S. boxes for schools. The committee then reviewed a financial update and heard a detailed subcommittee report on plans for Idaho’s July 4, 2026 celebration at the Capitol, including a parade, park activities, bands, family stations, and open Capitol access. Members discussed cost-sharing with the We the People group, with the committee approving a proposed America 250 budget of $196,600 that includes the July 4 celebration and America 250 ambassador programs, authorizes private donations, and directs how remaining funds should be used for regional and county events later in the year. Treasurer Julie Ellsworth reported on the ambassador program, including staffing needs, the growing number of Spuds appearances statewide, and plans for six “go bags” so materials can travel to communities even when the mascots are unavailable. She also described the proposed Liberty Bell carriage, which would debut on July 4 and then travel to every county, along with related efforts such as the Veterans Mustang Ride, challenge coins, a heritage fountain, flags across Idaho, Liberty quilts, and the “Bring Idaho’s Liberty Bell Home” fundraising effort. Committee members praised the work and noted strong public engagement and social media response. The Governor’s Task Force report highlighted the America 250 website, voice-recording project, Idaho Lottery scratch ticket partnership, downloadable “Moments That Made Us” exhibit, and the upcoming “Four Score” and “United We Celebrate” exhibits. Director Gallimore also noted coordination with the BLM and Transportation Department for events at Signature Point and the Old Pen. Hannah Laurie Hine provided a national update on White House and congressional commission initiatives, including mobile museums, the Great American State Fair, a prayer-focused event on the National Mall, the Presidential 1776 Award civics contest, and other reflection and volunteer projects. The committee agreed to meet again on March 9 and then adjourned.