Transcript Highlights:

• Today, only 37 percent of students are meeting grade level standards in mathematics.
• It is a... ...grade level in math. Math ability is not a personality trait.
• who enter in grades that are older.
• Douglas Knapp, first-grade teacher in West Sacramento, in full support. Dr.
• There'd be a separate set of eyes to look at that.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• They're only through the 10th grade or only through the 11th grade.
• They're going... but when they finish, whether 11th or 12th grade, and get enough credits, they can report
• Do we need to adopt each one separately? Okay. We'll deal first with the...

Bills: SB278 , HB459 , HB61

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• get a bad grade from this teacher?
• I'm not, uh, I mean we had both our kids attended public schools from first grade through 12th grade.
• I'm not, uh, I mean we had both our kids attended public schools from first grade through 12th grade.
• I'm not, uh, I mean we had both our kids attended public schools from first grade through 12th grade.
• That was have to repeat the grade.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 102, which would make informational materials about type 1 diabetes available on the Department of Education website. Senator Ward said the bill is intended to help parents, teachers, and school staff recognize early symptoms such as thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and weight loss so children can be referred for care before they develop diabetic ketoacidosis. He noted that a newer blood test can identify some children at risk earlier than in the past. Members asked how people would be directed to the website, and Ward said the information would be posted online and also distributed in handouts, with school personnel helping spread awareness. He emphasized the bill is informational only and not a diagnostic or treatment tool. Several supporters testified in favor, including representatives from the Dartmouth Diabetes Link and students with type 1 diabetes who described delayed diagnoses, emergency hospitalizations, and the difficulty of having symptoms misunderstood as stress, athletics, or normal teenage changes. They said the bill could help parents, teachers, and peers recognize warning signs earlier and reduce the risk of life-threatening ketoacidosis. One witness noted that New Hampshire ranks high in childhood type 1 diabetes, and another said even a single person seeing the information could make a difference. A retired diabetes educator and state representative also testified in support. The hearing on SB 102 was then closed. The committee then opened the hearing on Senate Bill 211, which would require school sports teams to be designated as male, female, or co-ed, bar biological males from female-designated teams and locker rooms, and create a cause of action for violations. Senator Avard said the bill responds to constituent concerns and is meant to protect fairness, safety, and privacy for biological females. In questioning, he said girls could still play on boys’ teams, but boys could not play on girls’ teams, and he said he would be open to changes. Opponents, including an attorney from LGBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders, argued the bill is substantially the same as a law passed the previous year that was already challenged in federal court and found likely unconstitutional under equal protection and Title IX; they urged the committee to mark it inexpedient to legislate. The transcript cuts off before any committee vote or further action on SB 211.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know the first year that we stopped doing it, we had a 20% drop in eighth-grade reading scores.
• Whatever reason a parent picks to put their child in charter school or homeschool, that's separate and
• . and first year teacher who was attacked by our student in third grade and basically the kid was sent
• We didn't go all the way back to kindergarten or first grade. We went to third grade.
• It's two separate pots."

Bills: HB3329 , HR1039 , HR1040 , HB3413 , HB3414 , HB3415 , HB3416 , HB3417 , HB3418 , HB3419 , HB3420 , HB3706 , HB3711 , HB4139 , HB1268 , HB3660 , HJR1023 , HB3298 , HB3056 , HJR1084 , HB3934 , HB3919 , HB4118 , HB4119 , HB3791 , HB4260 , HB4178 , HB4215 , HB4324 , HB3270 , HB4352 , HB4305 , HB2955 , HB3315 , HB3066 , HB1245 , HB4125 , HB3075 , HB3129 , HB3239 , HB4153 , HB3265 , HB4491 , SB680 , HB4263 , HB4268 , HB1675 , HB3885 , HB2984 , HB3697 , HB2959 , HB3671 , HB3852 , HB2933 , HB3057 , HB3802 , HB4294 , HB4285 , HB3708 , HB3979 , HB3977 , HB3986 , HB3985 , HB3588 , HB3742 , HB3845 , HJR1070 , HB3590 , HB3595 , HB3391 , HB3183 , HB3764 , HB3765 , HB1002 , HB4434 , HJR1086 , HB4060 , HB3881 , HB3500 , HB4408 , HB3648 , HB3127 , HB3606

Summary: The House convened after lunch, established a quorum, and then took up a long series of measures. Early debate centered on H.J.R. 1084, which would amend the Oklahoma Constitution to reaffirm that courts must follow the Oklahoma and U.S. Constitutions and not recognize or enforce religious codes that conflict with them. The author said it was meant as a safeguard against unconstitutional courtroom practices; several members questioned its practical effect and constitutional basis. The resolution passed the House 70-19. The chamber then passed a number of bills on workforce, public safety, tax, and administrative issues, including HB 3934 on dental hygienist workforce gaps, HB 3919 allowing county commissioners to adjust fair board membership to reach quorum, HB 4118 creating a family caregiver tax credit, HB 4119 requiring a bond in certain real-property title disputes, HB 426 on workers’ compensation for first responders suffering heart attack or stroke after strenuous shifts, HB 4178 on sales tax exemptions for municipal-beneficiary public trusts, HB 4215 to aid small post-production companies, HB 4324 allowing district attorneys to adjust sentences after initial sentencing with an amendment clarifying jury verdicts are unaffected, HB 3270 cleanup language for farmed cervidae/chronic wasting disease law, HB 4352 adopting the Uniform Mortgage Modification Act, HB 4305 clarifying ad valorem assessment of low-income housing tax credit properties, HB 2955 modernizing captive insurance law, HB 3315 creating a 90-hour degree program, HB 3066 reestablishing and funding a behavioral health workforce program, HB 1245 changing retirement coverage for certain DHS law enforcement officers, HB 4125 restoring firearm rights for certain nonviolent felons after five years with expungement or pardon, HB 3075 creating a penny-rounding rule for public-sector cash transactions, HB 3129 creating a process for university security fees, HB 3239 modernizing the Veterinary Practice Act, HB 4153 reinstating prior driver-licensing rules tied to an eighth-grade reading test with a hardship exception, HB 3265 defining mental health specialists for police pension disability cases, HB 4491 allowing school districts to opt in to extracurricular participation by charter, virtual charter, and homeschool students, SB 680 creating a tobacco tax incentive for lower-risk products, HB 4263 aligning retirement options for CareerTech employees, and HB 4268 creating the Teacher Effectiveness and Excellence Act with a compensation pilot and National Board stipend. Most measures passed with little or no debate, though several drew extended questioning, especially the school extracurricular bill, the driver’s-license literacy bill, and the tobacco tax measure. Emergency clauses were adopted on several bills, including HB 3934, HB 3270, HB 3315, HB 3066, HB 3075, HB 3129, HB 4153, and HB 4268.

Transcript Highlights:

• As of fiscal year 2025, the district served 75 students in kindergarten through eighth grade at its one
• Lee's signature is fifth grade teacher, principal, and superintendent.
• There will be a separate agenda item on that. So the Auditor General will present on it. Okay.
• So I just want to make sure that we keep our worlds separate—separation of powers.
• Our school grade rose from an F the prior year to a B.

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative Audit Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The last time I checked, we still had separation of powers in this state.
• What percentage of your kids are below grade level in math?
• Would be used towards advertising or they're a separate fund for advertising.
• grade.
• Texas children cannot read on grade level.

Bills: SB2 , HB2 , HB2000 , HB2196 , HB213 , HB222 , HB645 , HB1458 , HB 1022 , HB141 , HB502 , HB643 , HB3093 , HB1700 , HB 117 , SB503 , SB2 , HB 120 , HB20 , HB150 , HB6 , HB 100 , HB210 , HB215 , HB1393 , HB 1151 , HB 1268 , HB142 , HB451 , HB 124 , HB2 , HB2000 , HB2196 , HB213 , HB222 , HB645 , HB1458 , HB 1022 , HB141 , HB502 , HB643 , HB3093 , HB1700 , HB 117

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, child grooming, sex offender registration, criminal justice, reportable conviction, law enforcement, virtual education, hybrid learning, school funding, average daily attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• Third-grade students had a 9% increase, fourth grade 12%, fifth grade 6%, sixth grade 13%.
• Third grade students had a 9% increase, 4th grade of 12%, 5th grade 6th, 6th grade 13%.
• My name is Riley Gough, and I'm a third-grade student.
• , I didn't pull out the first grade for this.
• Grade for this. But it is this.

Bills: SB234 , SB210 , SB243 , SB244 , SM16 , HB8

Committee: House House Education

Keywords: foster children, school transportation, education funding, public education, child welfare, New Mexico Highlands University, soccer field, women's sports, infrastructure improvement, funding allocation, student athletes, appropriation, New Mexico State University, nutrition, travel support, funding, education, university support, financial assistance, parenting students

Transcript Highlights:

• The question is, shall separate times.
• </c> literacy and then requires on a grade literacy and then requires on a grade level<00:23:07.440><
• The question read two separate times.
• The question is shall separate times.
• </c><00:48:21.200><c> is,</c><00:48:21.440><c> shall</c> separate times, the question is, shall separate

Transcript Highlights:

• and then build toward more complex student-directed action by twelfth grade.
• From seventh to twelfth grades, students have repeated early exposure to civic engagement.
• So I want to comment that I appreciate that you’re starting to set seventh grade.
• at sixth grade?
• So we want even maybe as early as eighth grade or seventh grade, to have them discussing topics that

Transcript Highlights:

• and then build toward more complex student-directed action by twelfth grade.
• From 7th to 12th grades, so students have repeated early exposure to civic engagement.
• So I want to comment that I appreciate that you’re starting to set seventh grade.
• at sixth grade?
• So we want even maybe as early as eighth grade or seventh grade, to have them discussing topics that

Summary: The joint Senate and Assembly Education Committee hearing featured opening remarks from legislators welcoming students from the California Association of Student Councils and SABLE, with members emphasizing student voice and noting that several past student proposals had become law. The hearing then moved through multiple student panels presenting policy ideas, with members responding in a mix of support, technical questions, and cautions about cost, implementation, and tradeoffs in instructional time. The first panel proposed an annual civic engagement day for grades 7-12 to increase civic literacy and participation through flexible school-based activities. Members asked about costs, flexibility for sixth grade, voter registration, and how the proposal would fit within existing curriculum and standards. The second panel proposed amending Education Code Section 35012 to require at least one student board member in every unified and high school district, with added motioning rights and training on budgeting and LCAPs; members raised concerns about mandate costs, board size, and the scope of motioning authority. The third panel proposed middle school financial literacy instruction, potentially embedded in existing classes like math, with a 10-year phase-in for teacher training and curriculum updates; members questioned whether the state should wait for the already-approved high school financial literacy course to be implemented first. The fourth panel proposed expanding restorative justice by creating a CDE task force and authorizing PPS-certified staff to use restorative justice materials in discipline processes; members discussed prior legislation, confidentiality in expulsion hearings, and the likely cost of a state task force. The fifth panel proposed short, twice-a-semester mental health and life-skills sessions for grades 7-12, but members expressed skepticism that brief classroom sessions could meaningfully address mental health needs and suggested wellness centers or student-led awareness efforts instead. The hearing then began panel six on AI implementation in classrooms, with students arguing that districts need clearer guidance on AI use and that education must adapt rather than ignore the technology.

Transcript Highlights:

• and then build toward more complex, student-directed action by twelfth grade.
• From 7th to 12th grades, so students have repeated in early exposure to civic engagement.
• So I want to comment that I appreciate that you're starting to set seventh grade.
• at sixth grade?
• So we want even maybe in as early as eighth grade or seventh grade, we have them discussing topics that

Summary: The annual joint Senate and Assembly Education Committee hearing featured student proposals from the California Association of Student Councils and SABLE, with opening remarks from legislators emphasizing student voice and the value of hearing youth ideas. Committee members noted the hearing was being streamed and that they would review the testimony even though some members could not attend because of fog-related travel issues. The first panel proposed an annual civic engagement day for grades 7-12, with flexible school-led activities such as discussions, mock elections, and voter registration-related events. Members generally praised the idea but raised concerns about costs, instructional time tradeoffs, how to evaluate effectiveness, and whether the proposal should better connect to existing civics standards and local curriculum. The second panel proposed amending Education Code Section 35012 to require at least one student board member in every unified and high school district, with added training and the right to make motions. Legislators supported student representation in principle but questioned whether the proposal should require one or two student members to avoid board tie issues, why some districts do not already have student trustees, and how the mandate would be funded if it became a state requirement. They also raised technical concerns about the scope of motioning power and the fiscal impact of converting a voluntary local practice into a statewide mandate. Later panels proposed adding middle school financial literacy instruction, expanding restorative justice practices, and creating more structured mental health education time. On financial literacy, students suggested integrating finance into existing middle school classes and teacher training over time; members worried about curriculum overload and suggested aligning the idea with the already-approved high school finance course. On restorative justice, students proposed a CDE task force and training for PPS-certified staff; legislators discussed prior related bills, confidentiality concerns in discipline hearings, and the likely cost of a state task force. On mental health, students proposed short, twice-semester classroom sessions focused on coping skills and awareness of resources, but members questioned whether such brief lessons could be effective and suggested that wellness centers, student-led awareness, and outside referrals might be more practical. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with encouragement for students to refine their proposals and follow up with legislators.

Transcript Highlights:

• and then build toward more complex student-directed action by twelfth grade.
• From seventh to twelfth grades, students have repeated early exposure to civic engagement.
• So I want to comment that I appreciate that you’re starting to set seventh grade.
• at sixth grade?
• So we want even maybe in as early as eighth grade or seventh grade, we have them discussing topics that

Transcript Highlights:

• It was literally last week, within the scope of a week, Huntsville ISD... ...had four separate employees
• Additionally, there are interviews occurring right now with sixth grade students. without parent consent
• Before you can seal them, you have to file a separate motion and hear the motion 14 or more days later
• House Bill 3453 would clarify existing law and provide some separation between good providers who want
• The question: the punitive damages would be analyzed separately. That's current law.

Bills: HB4011 , HB2680 , HB4325 , HB4327 , HB4944 , HB1761 , HB4688 , HB3453 , HB40 , HB1707 , HB4749 , HB2322 , HB3647 , HB4139 , HB4081 , HB2203 , HB2100 , HB4170 , HB3104 , HB4623 , HB40

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: partition, heirs' property, real estate, co-ownership, family property, non-heir cotenant, right of first refusal, pilot services, liability limitation, maritime commerce, Matagorda Bay, Lavaca Bay, transportation code, maritime industry, civil liability, barratry, penalties, legal actions, damages, wrongful death

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, that $300 million was later, prior to today, separated into $2 million...
• Million was later, prior to today, separated into a separate supplemental spending document so that its
• And so DESE, through eighth- to 12th-grade civic students across the state, has these science-fair showcases
• how the legislative process works and how to be good citizens. and so DESE through eighth to 12th grade
• And so DESE through eighth to 12th grade civic students across the state has these science fair showcases

Summary: The Senate considered a supplemental appropriations bill and a series of amendments focused on education, health, transportation, and tax administration. Senator Kennedy spoke in support of increasing funding for DTA caseworkers to improve SNAP access and reduce errors, citing food insecurity and staffing shortages, but then withdrew the amendment by unanimous consent. Senator O’Connor’s amendment providing $500,000 for Free Period to supply menstrual products in public schools was adopted, as was Senator Miranda’s $1 million METCO transportation and student support amendment. Senator Collins withdrew an amendment to extend paid family and medical leave and unemployment insurance to graduate student workers. Other adopted amendments included funding for Bridgewater Middle School water filtration, Randolph High School restroom improvements, Uffum’s Corner Health Center, and NeighborHealth’s student pharmacy technician program. Several amendments were debated and rejected after standing votes. Senator Tarr proposed oversight and reporting requirements for the Group Insurance Commission and the MBTA deficiency fund, as well as a 90-day notice requirement for tax-code decoupling with major fiscal impacts; all were opposed and not adopted. Senator Rodrigues and Senator Crighton argued that the GIC and MBTA already have oversight mechanisms and need flexibility, while Tarr argued the measures would improve transparency and fiscal discipline. Senator DiDomenico withdrew a Chapter 70 education funding amendment after speaking about declining enrollment, school funding losses, and the need to protect gateway city districts; he also used the opportunity to reaffirm support for gender-affirming care funding. Senators Collins and others echoed concerns about school funding inequities and the need for future action. The Senate also adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of Arthur H. Tobin, a former Quincy mayor, state representative, state senator, and longtime clerk magistrate of Quincy District Court, with a detailed tribute to his public service and military record. After all amendments were resolved, the Senate substituted the new draft, ordered the bill to a third reading, and then passed House No. 5280 to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 35-4. The chamber then agreed to adjourn until the following Monday at 11 a.m., with the clerk directed not to print a calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• empirically, moves the needle when you want to turn a school around, you want to improve a school grade
• It provides a uniform grading system for honors acceleration courses.
• It clarifies licensure for private colleges and universities, provides a uniform grading system for honors
• We're funding the Family Empowerment Scholarships as a separate state-funded categorical within the FEFP
• We're funding the family empowerment scholarships as a separate state-funded categorical within the FEPP

Bills: S1062 , S1718 , S7038

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Keywords: speech education, debate, high school, Florida Debate Initiative, civics, competitive teams, student participation, educational advancement, educator preparation, certification, professional development, temporary certificate, military service, collaboration, teaching effectiveness, education, Florida College System, tuition waivers, vocational rehabilitation, state universities

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to make sure that kids can read at grade level, at least all of them.
• We need to make sure that kids can read at grade level, at least all of them.
• Like, that's a separate thing, and so none of your members are getting either of those things.
• 19.880><c> you</c><00:12:20.320><c> none</c><00:12:20.480><c> of</c><00:12:20.560><c> your</c> a separate
• and and so you none of your a separate and and so you none of your members<00:12:20.959><c> are</c><

Transcript Highlights:

• And then once they're screened by the end of third grade, then they can go forward and identify those
• And my son, who went to private Catholic grade school and middle school, they had an arrangement with
• And my son, who went to private Catholic grade school and middle school, they had an arrangement with
• It was separately funded until 2005, when it was rolled into the formula.
• So there might be separate funding, but as of now, it's not. Thank you very much.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior day’s journal, and a long series of special guest introductions recognizing interns, community leaders, FFA officers, library advocates, park and recreation professionals, and others. Members also used points of personal privilege to honor Black History Month and the legacy of William Clay Sr. The chamber then moved into first reading of several bills, including measures on University of Missouri curators, personal property assessment lists, and state department spending. The main floor action centered on House Bill 1757, which would require universal screening of third-graders for gifted education using flexible screening methods and would help ensure students who qualify are identified regardless of zip code or family resources. Supporters argued the bill would close gaps in gifted identification and expand access, while questions focused on funding, screening methods, and whether the bill would create an unfunded mandate. The House adopted the committee substitute and ordered the bill perfected and printed. Members then debated the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, presented as House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1667 and 2294. Supporters said the bill would require medical care for infants who survive an abortion attempt and impose civil and criminal penalties for knowingly harming such a child. Opponents argued the bill was duplicative of existing law, could criminalize medical providers, and would worsen Missouri’s maternal care shortages. The debate included extended questioning about the bill’s standards, scope, and enforcement, but no final vote on the born-alive measure was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• agriculture, and they have changed their identity and come to recognize that it's not just about a separate
• But we do look separately at how do food insecurity rates vary from one county to the next, or do we
• Food security cannot be separated from store viability. These issues are fundamentally connected.
• That's 62 million and a half pounds of Washington produce unsold, either because it's a second grade
• grade Unsold, either it says it's a second grade, or it just did not find a home.

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a work session on food systems and food security, with no public testimony. The first panel covered household food security and data. Marie Spiker of UW explained how food insecurity is measured, its health impacts, and the importance of reliable data, warning that the federal Census food security data is being terminated and that Washington’s WAFOOD surveys are a useful but non-representative complement. Katie Raines of WSDA described the state’s food systems work, including efforts to build shared data and dashboard monitoring, coordinate across agencies and partners, and strengthen the hunger safety net and local food supply chain. The committee then heard from Tracy Roof of the University of Richmond, who gave a history of SNAP/food stamps as both an anti-hunger program and an agricultural support tied to the farm bill. She described how the program evolved from Depression-era commodity distribution to a permanent federal-state program, how it became countercyclical during recessions, and how state policy changes and outreach increased participation. She also noted SNAP’s economic multiplier effects and said Washington’s enrollment is in the middle of the pack nationally, while future federal changes could reduce eligibility and shift more costs to states. A later panel focused on food security challenges and opportunities across the food system. The Washington Food Policy Forum, through Danny Madrone and Chris Elder, outlined its consensus-based recommendations on food insecurity, climate and water, regional infrastructure, farmland protection, and support for small and mid-sized farms. A joint industry panel from the Farm Bureau, Retail Association, and Food Industry Association emphasized agriculture’s economic scale, rising costs, loss of farms, retail theft, and the importance of local grocery stores and SNAP/WIC partnerships. State agency representatives from DSHS and DOH described current program impacts and risks: DSHS said federal H.R. 1 could require Washington to pay up to 15% of SNAP benefits and tighten eligibility, while DOH highlighted WIC, farmers market nutrition, fruit-and-vegetable incentives, and a new Medicaid waiver project, but warned that unstable funding and the end of SNAP-Ed threaten program continuity. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• an insurance person, so I'll have to play that card right now, but essentially a captive cell is separate
• So that's a separate project we're running, and we're also working with the people from the So that's
• Geological Survey many years ago to contain up to 15 million tonnes of antimony, grading up to about
• So as I mentioned again, we've got really high grades.
• Some of the grades are over 33% in some areas, which is fantastic.

Committee: Joint Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 274 that was mentioned earlier, right, that eliminated willful defiant school suspensions for grades
• Each one of them successively increased the grade levels for eliminating willful defiant school suspensions
• To their sense of safety and belonging in schools include immigration raids, family separation, financial
• that vision through our school-based mentorship program for boys and young men of color from sixth grade
• Research consistently demonstrates that CCEP students earn higher grades, enroll in college, and complete