Transcript Highlights:

• So I see this as being a very effective tool for teachers.
• I know that you have been a favorite teacher to thousands of students.
• mentor to probably thousands of teachers that have learned their craft.
• Yes, I was a middle school teacher for 23 years. And now I'm the K-12...
• These are nominations that come through teachers.

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Summary: The Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education first met in executive session and adopted a House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2722, then voted the bill do pass by a roll call vote of 13 yes and 2 no. The sponsor explained that the substitute clarified the roles of liaisons for foster care students, McKinney-Vento students, and unaccompanied youth in higher education, and added language to avoid conflicting with Missouri law on public benefits for non-citizens. Members also discussed the fiscal note, which was expected to be minimal or not yet available until after committee reporting. The committee then heard House Bills 3483 and 3532, sponsored by Representatives Prouty and Pollitt, which would require the General Assembly to create Missouri-specific educational materials about how the state legislative process works and how a bill becomes law. Supporters, including legislators, teachers, students, and social studies coordinators, said the materials would help students understand Missouri government, civic engagement, and the differences between state and federal lawmaking. Several witnesses suggested the materials should be tailored by grade level, with third grade and high school mentioned as likely targets, and some members raised questions about drafting, implementation, and the estimated fiscal note. One witness spoke in opposition, saying only that he opposed the bill in the spirit of civil discourse. Finally, the committee heard House Concurrent Resolution 31, sponsored by Representative Martin, which would establish a Missouri seal of civic recognition for students who demonstrate civic knowledge, participation, and service. The sponsor described a tiered recognition system tied to coursework, civic engagement, and community or military service, administered through DESE and the existing civics and patriotic work group. Members asked about the resolution format, the role of the work group, how schools would track eligibility, and whether the measure should be narrowed to high school graduation before expanding to younger grades. Supporters, including a retired educator and civic education advocates, said the seal could encourage stronger civic learning and student engagement, while one coalition witness urged a streamlined, merit-based model and local district flexibility. The committee took no final action on the latter two measures during the hearing and adjourned after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Eventually here, Representative Bakeberg will, with his real-life experience as both a teacher and a
• Eventually here, Representative Bakeberg will, with his real-life experience as both a teacher and a
• Eventually here, Representative Bakeberg will, with his real-life experience as both a teacher and a
• We cannot do that to our teachers and our staff and those leaders in our district.
• We cannot do that to our teachers and our staff and those leaders in our district.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So right now, the Golden State Teacher Grant Program, it's limited, it focuses on teachers in high-priority
• candidates, teacher support, Subject matter transcript review of service for teacher candidates, a teacher
• What exactly is the expectation for the use of the block grant for teacher pipeline and teacher preparation
• What exactly is the expectation for the use of the block grant for teacher pipeline and teacher preparation
• So while a teacher is on...

Summary: The committee heard an overview of the May Revision’s Proposition 98 changes for K-12 and community colleges. The Department of Finance said the minimum guarantee rises by $6.4 billion over the Governor’s Budget across the three-year window, with higher guarantees in each year, full payment of the prior settle-up, and larger deposits into the school rainy-day fund. The LAO said the revenue and LCFF updates were reasonable, but urged caution about the settle-up approach and recommended using more of the available funding to protect ongoing programs and build budget resilience. Members focused heavily on the size of the proposed $3.9 billion settle-up, the $10.3 billion reserve deposit, declining K-12 enrollment, and how much of the new funding should be ongoing versus one-time. The committee then reviewed the community colleges portion of the budget. Finance described the May Revision’s higher SCFF COLA, additional funding for enrollment growth, a student support block grant, apprenticeship adjustments, and continued funding for deferred maintenance, Calbright, Common Cloud, and credit for prior learning. The Chancellor’s Office supported the core investments but asked for more funding for enrollment growth, changes to the growth formula, and a COLA for Student Equity and Achievement. The LAO recommended prioritizing the statutory COLA increase, noted that more than half of districts are already above current-year growth targets, and said the new adult learner demonstration project should be rejected because districts already have tools to support similar services. Members also discussed a $52 million current-year apportionment shortfall, which Finance said was discovered too late for the May Revision and would need to be addressed later. Finally, the committee took up the proposed implementation of the federal Workforce Pell program. Finance proposed one-time funding for the California Student Aid Commission and Cradle to Career to build eligibility and data systems, along with trailer bill changes to set up state approval processes. CSAC said the program is promising but highly complex, that California lacks the needed infrastructure, and that the state will need emergency regulations, data linkages, and ongoing funding beyond the one-time proposal. The LAO agreed that some initial funding is needed but warned that the amounts and ongoing costs remain uncertain and that the Legislature should carefully draft the trailer bill language. Members asked about timing, other states’ actions, and how the state would ensure the program is ready for students and institutions.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill strengthens teachers' workforce by expanding access to teacher apprenticeship programs to grow
• professional certificate, and streamlines teacher salary supplements.
• The bill strengthens teachers' workforce by expanding access to teacher apprenticeship programs to grow
• the pipeline of new teachers, creates a three-year multi. programs to grow the pipeline of new teachers
• Last year, of course, this year we're including the multi-year teacher contracts.

Committee: Senate Education Pre-K - 12

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and first took up SB 124, which updates Florida Virtual School statutes to remove outdated language, clarify governance and funding provisions, authorize a direct support organization, streamline reporting, and clarify district responsibilities for student assessments. Senator Berman asked about the removed enrollment prioritization and reporting changes, and the bill sponsor explained that the reporting was largely duplicative of existing audits and other reports. Florida Virtual School’s representative testified in support, saying the school is open to all students statewide with no enrollment caps or waiting lists. SB 124 was reported favorably by a unanimous roll call vote. The committee then considered confirmation appointments in tabs 3 and 4 and recommended confirmation of all appointees on a single favorable vote. After that, the committee heard SB 320 on administrative efficiency in public schools, which would reduce district mandates, expand teacher apprenticeship and multi-year contracts, create a 10-year renewable professional certificate, simplify testing and accountability rules, increase flexibility for district finances and facilities planning, and shift oversight of district-run VPK programs to school districts. Senators Gaetz and Berman questioned the impact on charter school funding, capital dollars, teacher contracts, and how the bill differed from last year’s version. The sponsor said charter schools would retain access to operational funds, the bill does not eliminate annual audits, and the main substantive change from last year was the multi-year teacher contract provision. Several organizations and district representatives waived in support of SB 320, while Florida Citizens Alliance testified in information, praising some testing and licensure changes but suggesting a cap on multi-year contracts and outside auditing safeguards. The sponsor closed by emphasizing that districts would still be subject to annual audits and that the bill is intended to give schools more flexibility and reduce bureaucracy. SB 320 was reported favorably on a roll call vote, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a teacher, and I have worked with many other teachers.
• We have to remove the burdens so teachers can work on fundamentals. We have to trust our teachers.
• </c> other teachers teachers want to succeed other teachers teachers want to succeed and<00:04:41.120
• </c><00:04:55.160><c> teachers</c><00:04:56.160><c> that</c> expertise of our teachers teachers that
• You said, trust your teachers. Well, the teachers are not asking for this bill.

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• of the Year, the Hawaii State Teacher of the Year, the U.S.
• </c><00:03:36.320><c> of</c> including the Charter School Teacher of including the Charter School Teacher
• </c><00:03:38.560><c> of</c> the Year, the Hawaii State Teacher of the Year, the Hawaii State Teacher
• Ka'u-Kealakehe-Pahoa Complex Area Teacher of the Year.
• </c> Complex Area Teacher of the Year. Complex Area Teacher of the Year.

Bills: HB1166 , HB389 , HB644 , HB1509 , HB1692 , HB1842 , HB1878 , HB1926 , HB1949 , HB2116 , HB2581

Keywords: HB1166, automated speed enforcement, speed cameras, traffic enforcement, road safety, traffic safety, Department of Transportation, state highway fund, special fund, appropriation, fiscal year 2026-2027, camera enforcement, speeding citations, automated traffic enforcement, highway safety, HB389, uncrewed aircraft, drone, drones, UAS

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a high school CTE teacher in Alamogordo, and I'm the president-elect of NEA New Mexico.
• But without retaining good teachers and qualified staff, the lessons won't be learned.
• I work with teachers. I work for parents, and I hear the stories. I, I, I know.
• Chairman, this is where Whenever I brag on teachers, I do it for a reason, and that teacher happens to
• So to all you teachers out there.

Transcript Highlights:

• The governor's plan includes cuts to teachers' pay and professional development, cuts to schools and
• I'm a former elementary school teacher of 33 years. I love schools and I love our kids.
• He says, "We're having to cut teachers and paras so we can pay people to stay home over the summer and
• We don't want our schools to close or have cut all these teachers and cut programs, cut paras.
• ><c> programs</c><00:05:00.960><c> this</c> teachers, payers, and programs this teachers, payers, and

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome, retired teachers. As a retired teacher myself, I just want ...to say, you have my heart.
• My mom currently is a member of your group and a retired teacher, and my sister is a current teacher.
• Welcome, Texas teachers.
• Retired teachers, the Aldine retired teachers, the Spring Branch retired teachers. Thank you.
• And Leaf teachers, thank you.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > running</c><00:17:00.800><c> the</c> It'll be HSTA teachers running the It'll be HSTA teachers running
• Teachers deserve to be paid more.
• teacher education program state approved teacher education program or<00:49:28.000><c> SAT</c><00:49
• But also, we can expand National Board Teacher certification to help teachers stay.
• But also, we can expand National Board Teacher certification to help teachers stay.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Education met on March 19 and moved through several bills under time pressure, hearing mostly brief testimony. SB 2024 SD2 and SB 896 SD2, both concerning public-private partnerships for charter school facilities, drew support from the Department of Education, the Charter School Commission, White Kids Can, and Hawaii Technology Academy. DOE said any P3 model should apply only to charter schools on private land and not affect public schools on DOE land. Supporters argued the approach could speed construction, reduce costs, and keep public money in public assets, while UPW and HGA raised concerns about privatization. In response, SFA said the intent was to mirror the existing conversion charter school model, with public ownership of assets and unionized staff, and noted some regions have waited years for schools. SB 2613 SD1 on TMK transfers was heard next. DOE said the bill had originally been supported as part of the governor’s package but was amended to require DOE to convey lands for 13 libraries on DOE property, which DOE said would create “donut holes” in campuses and was unnecessary because existing agreements already govern library use. The State Public Library System supported the bill, saying it has long coexisted with DOE but needs clearer separation and more reliable control over its sites. The Attorney General’s office said the library system currently lacks express statutory authority to own real property and flagged implementation issues because some of the affected parcels are not currently owned by DOE. Committee members questioned both sides about current agreements, communication, and how the bill would change operations. SB 494 SD2, concerning charter school audits, received comments from the Charter School Commission, which said the bill was redundant because charter schools already undergo annual audits during the term of their contracts. The Office of the Auditor was also present. SB 2391 SD2, relating to automatic pay increases for teachers, drew strong opposition from the Office of Collective Bargaining, which said step movement and longevity increases are negotiated in each contract and do not automatically carry over when a contract expires; it warned the bill could affect upcoming negotiations with HSTA. HSTA and several other supporters argued the bill would standardize annual step movement, improve retention, and reflect existing contract language. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we do have some teachers who do not go through the traditional teacher prep programs.
• We do have some teachers who do not go through the traditional teacher prep programs.
• Um, and then my other question is, I've talked to a lot of teachers, a lot of reading teachers, a lot
• Um, and then my other question is, I've talked to a lot of teachers, a lot of reading teachers, a lot
• Um, and then my other question is, I've talked to a lot of teachers, a lot of reading teachers, a lot

Committee: House Primary and Secondary Education

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• teachers not enforcing it oh so it's teachers not enforcing it oh so it's teachers not enforcing it
• are somebody say and then the teachers are somebody say and then the teachers are afraid if the teachers
• the up to go and talk to the teachers the up to go and talk to the teachers the teacher the other students
• if a teacher can't manage management if a teacher can't manage management if a teacher can't manage
• that's a teacher can't manage her class that's a teacher can't manage her class that's a teacher problem

Bills: HB 9 , HB 22 , HB 908 , HB 1392

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, tax exemption, local government finance, appraisal district, chief appraiser, rendition statement, property tax relief, small business, commercial property, leased property, related business entity, unified business enterprise, tax situs, Texas Tax Code, local taxing unit, constitutional amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• The teacher has allowed it. Not required, but the teacher's allowed it.
• The teacher has allowed it. Not required, but the teacher's allowed it.
• </c><00:54:36.960><c> teacher</c><00:54:37.200><c> doesn't</c> opportunity, again, the teacher doesn't
• When the teacher says, "We're not having discussion today.
• When the teacher says, "We're not having discussion today.

Bills: HB0159

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: student rights, free expression, K-12 education, speech protection, religious views, political speech, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the teachers are just recommending it to you.
• How do we know teachers will teach this?
• How do we know teachers will stand in civics and economics and do their job?
• How do we know teachers will teach this?
• Members, this bill is for teachers.

Committee: All GIRLS STATE

Summary: The meeting was a Girl State House session in which members received procedural guidance on chamber rules, recognition, voting, and decorum, then moved through a series of bills. The first bill, House Bill 1001, would have prohibited over-the-counter diet pills from being sold or transferred to minors; supporters argued it would protect teens from eating disorders and misuse, while opponents raised concerns about medical exceptions and the age cutoff. It failed 42-55. House Bill 1002, allowing lottery winners to keep their identities confidential for a period of time, was amended during discussion to a three-year confidentiality period and passed 79-17 after a motion for immediate consideration. House Bill 1003, requiring schools to provide resources and courses on child labor/workplace laws and readiness, drew debate over whether it should be mandatory, what age group it should cover, and whether schools could support it; it failed 22-73. House Bill 1004, the Arkansas Head Injury Act requiring helmets and protective gear for motorized cycle riders, passed 94-4 after testimony focused on safety for riders, other drivers, and first responders. Members then considered House Bill 1005, which would require a year-long personal finance course before graduation to teach budgeting, taxes, credit, and related life skills. Supporters said it would better prepare students for adulthood, while opponents argued the material is already covered in existing classes and raised concerns about scheduling and implementation; it failed 35-60. House Bill 1006 increased the teacher classroom investment income tax deduction from $500 to $1,000, with supporters emphasizing teachers’ out-of-pocket spending on classroom supplies and student needs; it passed 97-0. House Bill 1008 sought to limit the number of national franchise businesses in an economic zone to encourage local entrepreneurship and protect small businesses, but opponents argued it could hurt jobs, limit consumer options, and was unclear in scope; it failed 23-69. The House then passed House Bill 1009, creating a voluntary blue envelope program for people with intellectual disabilities to help law enforcement interactions, after supporters said it could reduce confusion and improve safety; it passed 87-5. The final bill introduced before the transcript ended was House Bill 2010, which would increase the income tax credit for Arkansas families supporting a child with special needs; the sponsor began by sharing a personal story about her brother with Down syndrome and the costs families face, but the discussion was cut off before debate or a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that doesn't mean teachers are doing a terrible job.
• Ongoing PD for teachers.
• the teachers that I trained is, um, do you wanna be a 30 years.
• Teacher with 3 years of experience or a teacher with 1 year doing it 30 times, our students change, our
• We'll continue to look at math education and teacher supports.

Transcript Highlights:

• , not for an award, but to help that student succeed, because that's what teachers Do.
• And I would challenge each of us to think back to the one teacher. I don't know.
• Challenge each of us to think back to the one teacher who saw something in you.
• For some of us, that teacher may very well be there.
• Because when we invest in our teachers, we're not just making things right.

Summary: The Senate first adopted a motion to suspend Rule 5.14 and move the intent calendar deadline to 6 p.m. that day. It then took up and passed several bills, often by suspending the regular order of business and the constitutional three-day rule. HB 1866 gave limited Texas peace officer authority to National Park Service law enforcement officers within the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park; HB 4996 increased the penalty for refusing to release a fraudulent lien when the victim is a public servant; and HB 5033 created a trigger mechanism for ending vehicle emissions inspections if federal law changes. HB 1533 made a range of appraisal and property tax procedure changes, HB 2282 raised the arrest warrant reimbursement fee from $50 to $75, HB 3421 updated probate and estates procedures, and HB 4263 revised Texas Juvenile Justice Department grievance procedures. Each of these measures advanced through second reading, third reading, and final passage, with recorded votes generally showing strong support and some opposition on a few bills. The chamber also considered major policy bills. HB 2, the large public education and school finance package, drew extensive floor discussion and multiple amendments. Senators emphasized its $8.5 billion investment, including teacher and staff pay, school safety funding, special education, charter and traditional school funding changes, and other allotment adjustments. Several senators praised the bill as historic and collaborative, while also noting the need to monitor implementation and future effects. After adopting amendments and hearing supportive remarks from multiple members, the Senate passed HB 2 on final vote, 31-0. Other debated measures included HB 143, which codified cooperation between the Railroad Commission and the Public Utility Commission to address electrical safety hazards at well sites and related facilities, and CS SB 3074/3070, which allowed limited written communications from the governor, lieutenant governor, and legislators to TCEQ commissioners about permit applications, with disclosure and response requirements. Senator Johnson raised concerns that the TCEQ bill could politicize an apolitical permitting process and potentially affect federal delegation, but the bill was amended and passed 28-3. The Senate also passed HB 4426 on Railroad Commission permits for commercial surface disposal facilities, HB 3161 giving TMRS cities more flexibility on employee contribution rates, and HB 2712 allowing future test years for certain water and sewer utility rate-making, with an amendment to protect ratepayers if projections overcharge them. At the end of the session, the Senate handled several procedural motions, including re-referring HB 1904 from Criminal Justice to State Affairs and suspending posting rules so committees could meet later that day. The chamber then recessed until 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 25, 2025, for a local and uncontested calendar, and planned to adjourn until 5:00 p.m. that same day after that calendar concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• With this, every year we have back-to-school in-service with teachers.
• Our teachers would argue that after we get the results...
• I am a 30-year veteran elementary teacher, reading specialist, and English language teacher.
• At this time, again, this bill is to provide more time for teachers, reduce the stress on teachers, and
• I am a PE teacher, although I was lucky enough to teach yoga as a PE teacher, and I greatly appreciate

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you're a teacher, your students still have to meet their expectations and you as a teacher still have
• So if you have 10 teachers at an advanced professional cell two and two teachers at a residency cell
• And what we know is about last year to this year, 83% of teachers came back as a teacher.
• So some teachers leave and go to administration.
• But we know if teachers coming back as teachers, it's 83%, which is one of the reasons the career ladder

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• over the past year, I was honestly a little blown away when the number of teachers that sat in live
• Those are middle school and high school life science teachers. ...school and high school life science
• Just last year, we provided more than 350 total hours of live instruction to our Alabama teachers.
• We're also taking teacher professional learning across the state.
• Those are our teachers.

Bills: HB447 , HB447

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: HB447, school buses, student transportation, public schools, local boards of education, dual enrollment, career technical education, CTE, community college, trade school, technical college, offsite educational venues, student access, transportation policy, school bus law, Alabama education law, Montgomery County, probate court, judge of probate, will registration

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, I have a social studies teacher.
• Thank you, Principal Nelson. invest in teacher credentialing because invest in teacher credentialing
• </c><01:20:29.679><c> to</c> continue to allow your teachers to continue to allow your teachers to develop
• </c><01:21:41.719><c> that</c> allowed to to train the teachers that allowed to to train the teachers
• </c> enthusiasm and energy of my teacher enthusiasm and energy of my teacher saying<01:37:31.600><c>

Bills: HF984 , HF921 , HF922

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: education funding, nonpublic schools, counseling services, guidance services, transportation for students, HF921, tax increment financing, TIF, excess tax increment, school district aid, levy adjustment, property tax levy, education finance, Minnesota education aid, decertification, local government finance, school funding formula, state aid reduction, referendum equalization aid, debt service equalization