Transcript Highlights:

• Charter schools are public schools.
• Charter schools are public schools.
• Charter schools are public schools.
• For all school districts in charter schools.
• > school retain school counselors, school retain school counselors, school psychologists,<01:35

Bills: HF3653, HF2717, HF3451, HF3857

Keywords: education finance, safe schools revenue, school safety, charter schools, funding, safe schools, school security, school levy, pupil units, safe schools aid, cooperative units, intermediate school district, school resource officer, peace officer liaison, sheriff liaison, drug abuse prevention, gang resistance education, violence prevention, suicide prevention, mental health services

Summary: The committee first adopted the March 3rd minutes by voice vote after Representative Lee moved them and there was no discussion. Members then reviewed hearing rules on decorum, safety, and participation before taking testimony from Dr. James Densley and Dr. Jillian Peterson of the Violence Prevention Project Research Center at Hamline University. The presenters summarized research on mass shootings and K-12 school shootings, drawing on a database of homicides in school settings from 2000 to 2025 and a smaller set of 15 K-12 mass shooting cases. They said school shooters are usually insiders, most often current or former students, and typically young males. They described common patterns including a noticeable crisis before attacks, perpetrators viewing the shooting as a final act, studying prior shooters online, and “leakage” in which most tell someone in advance. They also emphasized that many perpetrators use unsecured firearms from family members and argued that prevention should combine reporting systems, behavioral threat assessment, counseling, mentoring, secure storage, and other layered interventions rather than rely on a single solution. The presenters also discussed broader violence trends in the Twin Cities, saying much school violence is spillover from community violence and that pandemic-era disruptions and weakened trust in institutions contributed to serious violence. They cited a national survey finding that exposure to gun violence is associated with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and fear of public spaces, especially among young people. During member questions, Representative Wam asked for clarification on the data set and the rural/small-town share of the survey sample.

Transcript Highlights:

• elementary schools.
• Prior to that, I spent 19 years as a high school principal at Hopeville High School, Wumpa High School
• , and Pratt High School.
• schools.
• schools.

Bills: HB332, HB166, SB336, HB447, HB244

Keywords: computer science, K-12 education, public schools, graduation requirement, digital literacy, coding, programming, STEM, artificial intelligence, AI, computational thinking, technology education, computer literacy, high school credit, middle school, elementary school, teacher training, professional development, distance learning, virtual school

Transcript Highlights:

• Since 2020, numerous school districts have adopted a four-day school week or a hybrid school schedule
• As a result, I filed HB1209. time, to prohibit schools from adopting a four-day school week with some
• fewer, meaning rural, smaller school districts will be unaffected. and can maintain a four-day school
• charter schools.
• school weeks.

Bills: HB 1209, HB4746

Keywords: school funding, instructional days, education, public schools, school performance, four-day school week, performance rating, school governance, school calendar, education funding, emergency closures, school district, school operations, Texas education, public school accountability, academic distinction designation, postsecondary readiness, career and technical education, CTE, P-TECH

Transcript Highlights:

• In any school crisis, seconds can truly matter.
• The schools in my district use I Love You Guys as part of our safe school planning, but they both advocate
• It's called Blue in the School.
• So this bill will allow every school to have that opportunity.
• That's 2,000 public schools, 200 charter schools, our tribal schools as well, our intermediate districts

Bills: HF3220

Keywords: school safety, school security, emergency access, law enforcement access, master key box, secure key box, entry device, school grants, education finance, Department of Education, charter schools, school districts, cooperative units, appropriation cancellation, one-time appropriation, school safety plan, emergency preparedness, public safety, school building security

Transcript Highlights:

• school that is returned from the Recovery School District back to the local school district.
• school board for the school board to oversee that.
• school board for the school board to oversee that.
• a school.
• And we did some in schools with school resource officers.

Bills: HB256, HB272, HB350, HB363, HB386, HB434, HB445, HB690

Keywords: mandatory reporting, school employees, child protection, training requirements, Department of Children and Family Services, education, reading program, student eligibility, literacy, school performance, R.E.A.D. program, book distribution, École Pointe-au-Chien, French immersion, public school, Terrebonne Parish, grade levels, independent school, virtual school, extracurricular activities

Summary: The House Education Committee met on March 24, 2026, with 11 members present and a quorum. Chairwoman Schlegel announced that HB 690 would not be heard. The committee then took up several education-related bills, hearing brief author presentations, member questions, and testimony from supporters on most measures. HB 350 by Rep. Domain would extend the grades served by Ecole Ponashan in Terrebonne Parish from pre-K through fourth grade to eighth grade; members praised the school’s role in French immersion and Cajun heritage, and the bill was reported favorably. HB 434 by Rep. Wilder would shift certain probationary employment decisions for school bus operators from the school board to the superintendent; it drew support from the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents and was also reported favorably. HB 445 by Rep. Freiberg would move the STEM Advisory Council from the Board of Regents to Louisiana Works, reduce and refocus its membership, and cut meeting frequency; members discussed workforce alignment and the bill passed favorably. HB 386 by Rep. Shanavie would let local districts permit locally authorized charter schools to operate as their own local education agency for federal funding purposes, with liability shifting to the charter school; after extensive questions about charter governance and LEA status, it was reported favorably. HB 363 by Rep. Landry would allow virtual school students to try out for and participate in extracurricular activities at their zoned public school, similar to existing law for home study students. The committee heard emotional testimony from University View Academy students describing the importance of athletics and inclusion, and the bill was reported favorably. HB 256 by Rep. Freeman would clarify mandatory reporter requirements for school employees and the existing DCFS training; members supported the effort to make reporting rules clearer, and it passed favorably. HB 272 by Rep. Carver would expand the READ literacy program to students in D- and F-rated schools, with books and family literacy materials sent home; supporters cited strong literacy data from Florida and Louisiana, while members raised questions about the fiscal note and implementation. Despite those concerns, the committee reported HB 272 favorably. The meeting adjourned after Rep. Tarver’s motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• at all of our uh, elementary schools. at all of our uh, elementary schools.
• every school to have that opportunity. every school to have that opportunity.
• That's 200 or 2,000 public schools, 200 charter schools, um, our tribal schools as well, our intermediate
• > schools,<00:08:00.879> um,<00:08:01.039> our schools, 200 charter schools, um,
• our schools, 200 charter schools, um, our tribal<00:08:01.680> schools<00:08:02.080> as

Bills: HF3220

Keywords: school safety, school security, emergency access, law enforcement access, master key box, secure key box, entry device, school grants, education finance, Department of Education, charter schools, school districts, cooperative units, appropriation cancellation, one-time appropriation, school safety plan, emergency preparedness, public safety, school building security, 1183

Transcript Highlights:

• On August 14th of last year, a Houston Independent School District middle school.
• I'm a school nurse and the executive director of the Texas School Nurses Organization.
• on school district matters.
• Within their school district.
• Not necessarily a school address, right, compared to another school address, but a person’s school at

Bills: SB2920, SB2929, SB2398, SB865, SB401, SB2619, SB2927, SB1395, SB1972, SB2540, SB1635, SB1581, SB2008

Keywords: steroids, student athletes, athletic competition, University Interscholastic League, medical purpose, gender transition, school athletics, spectator conduct, referees, ejection policy, extracurricular activities, concussion, brain injury, school policy, academic accommodations, student welfare, cardiac arrest, emergency response, CPR training, automated external defibrillators

Transcript Highlights:

• current school finance formula.
• It prohibits school districts from opening new campuses within 1,500 feet of a school.
• property or at school-sponsored or school-related events.
• other schools in that district.
• Every school district must openly post information about who's serving on its school board so parents

Bills: SB2920, SB2929, SB2398, SB865, SB401, SB2619, SB2927, SB1395, SB1972, SB2540, SB1635, SB1581, SB2008

Keywords: steroids, student athletes, athletic competition, University Interscholastic League, medical purpose, gender transition, school athletics, spectator conduct, referees, ejection policy, extracurricular activities, concussion, brain injury, school policy, academic accommodations, student welfare, cardiac arrest, emergency response, CPR training, automated external defibrillators

Transcript Highlights:

• in Day these two School par school years in Day these two School par school years in particular<
• Um, there are elementary school kids that go to school other than just high school students.
• There are elementary school kids that go to school other than just high school students.
• I actually attended an all-year-round school as a child, and so our school, my high school, did start
• I actually attended an all-year-round school as a child, and so our school, my high school, did start

Bills: HF1124, HF1457, HF1803

Keywords: school calendar, education, school year, Labor Day, state law, school construction, landfill, dump site, closed landfill, contaminated site, pollution control agency, school siting, public school, charter school, environmental health, student safety, brownfield, solid waste, waste disposal site, site contamination

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:47:15.200> independent<00:47:15.720> school charter school, independent school
• . school. school.
• Some schools do.
• So what percent of schools, and where are those schools?
• . schools. schools.

Bills: HB1890, HB1888, HB1676

Keywords: teacher pay, teacher salaries, salary step increase, annual increment, longevity step, public school teachers, public charter school teachers, collective bargaining, Hawaii Department of Education, teacher retention, teacher recruitment, cost of living, educator compensation, public employee bargaining, appropriation, salary schedule, school staffing, teacher shortage, HB1888, Hawaii

Summary: The committees heard three measures, beginning with HB 1890 HD3, which would provide automatic step increases and a COVID-era retention bonus for teachers. Supporters included HSTA, the Democratic Party’s Education Caucus, and a student who said higher pay and predictable salary growth would help retain teachers in Hawaii. The Department of Education supported the intent but asked that the bill be expanded to cover all department employees. The Attorney General’s office said the draft needed clarification to avoid conflict with Chapter 89 and to make clear any funding was subject to legislative appropriation. The Office of the Public Defender and B&F testified in opposition, and committee members questioned whether the step increases were already in the current contract and whether the bill was needed. HSTA said the current contract includes automatic step increases subject to funding, but argued the bill was still needed because funding is not guaranteed and the measure would codify the policy. HSTA also said the COVID bonus would apply only to active teachers who worked during the pandemic and estimated the total cost at roughly $150 million to $200 million over four years. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up HB 1888 HD3, which would require DOE and charter schools to report harassment incidents and strengthen penalties for harassment of educational workers from a petty misdemeanor to a misdemeanor. DOE supported the bill and suggested narrowing language about assisting workers with temporary restraining orders, saying that function would be better handled through the Attorney General’s pilot program. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing the harassment language was overly broad, vague, and potentially unconstitutional, and that existing assault and terroristic threatening statutes already protect educational workers. HSTA, the State Commission on the Status of Women, and several individual testifiers supported the measure, describing increased intimidation and harassment of teachers and other school staff, especially since COVID. The Special Education Advisory Council opposed the bill’s language on “disrupting and interfering” with school functions, saying it could chill parents of students with IEPs from advocating for their children. Testimony was split, with the chair noting 20 in support and 16 in opposition in the portion shown. A final witness, Michelle Pestana, testified in opposition based on her family’s experience with special education services, describing alleged seclusion and restraint of her daughter and expressing concern that DOE testimony in prior hearings had targeted special education parents. Her remarks were cut off as time expired. The transcript ends before any committee action or vote on HB 1888 was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Does this also apply to private schools? It does not currently apply to private schools.
• public schools.
• school, or charter schools.
• This applies to all Texas school districts and open enrollment charter schools.
• For some context, in Frisco ISD, we have 77 schools, 12 of those are high schools.

Bills: SB604, SB843, SB1636, SB2395, SB571, SB1224, SB1832, SB2392, SB747, SB2623, SB2624, SB2185

Keywords: bonds, education funding, Texas Permanent School Fund, financial transparency, speculative rating, school funding, deferred maintenance, tax revenue, education budget, school districts, education, finance, Texas Education Code, misconduct, child abuse, educators, investigation, criminal offense, education law, suspension

Transcript Highlights:

• class I'm not here advocating for or against public schools private schools charter schools I'm advocating
• Schools and school districts should not be invested.
• But Dallas ISD, being as innovative as it is, open to high school, CityLab High School. school, right
• . public schools, ISDs, charter schools.
• Toby mentioned that there is a charter school within 1500 feet of the school.

Bills: SB604, SB843, SB1636, SB2395, SB571, SB1224, SB1832, SB2392, SB747, SB2623, SB2624, SB2185

Keywords: bonds, education funding, Texas Permanent School Fund, financial transparency, speculative rating, school funding, deferred maintenance, tax revenue, education budget, school districts, education, finance, Texas Education Code, misconduct, child abuse, educators, investigation, criminal offense, education law, suspension

Transcript Highlights:

• by written regulations adopted by a school board or a school district's board of trustees.
• It simply affords school districts, charter schools, private schools, and junior colleges the ability
• The kid is in school and high school, pretty much known, pretty much expected.
• Texas law allows schools to place students in out-of-school suspension for a maximum of three school
• In fact, school behavior and school discipline has only gotten worse.

Bills: SB27, SB226, SB326, SB570, SB605, SB870, SB991, SB1871, SB1872, SB1873, SB1874, SB1924, SB1925

Keywords: residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, antisemitism, student conduct, education, disciplinary actions, Texas Education Code, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district

Summary: The committee heard a series of school safety and discipline bills, beginning with SB 870, which would codify an attorney general opinion allowing local school boards to decide whether school marshals may openly carry, conceal carry, or store a firearm in a secure safe on campus. The bill was laid out with no public testimony and left pending. The chair then moved to a combined discussion of SB 1871, 1872, 1873, 1874, and 1924, all focused on school discipline, teacher authority, and student safety. Senators Perry and Creighton described the package as a response to rising classroom disruptions, assaults on teachers, and concerns that districts lack effective tools to maintain order. SB 1871 would expand teacher removal authority, require return-to-class plans before a student removed for certain conduct can return, make some serious offenses mandatory for placement in juvenile justice settings, and provide telehealth mental health services through a consortium. SB 1872 would require expulsion to a JJAEP for assaults on teachers or school volunteers and extend certain expulsion-eligible conduct to off-campus offenses. SB 1873 would restore the prior understanding that in-school suspension is not subject to a three-day limit. SB 1874 would grant teachers immunity from disciplinary action for reporting discipline violations or acting in compliance with Chapter 37. SB 1924 would restore authority for local police and school district police to issue Class C citations for school offenses and require criminal referrals for students posing an imminent threat or assaulting a teacher, with a substitute clarifying referral rules when a citation has already been issued. The committee adopted the substitutes for the bills and moved them forward. Invited witnesses from teacher and administrator groups largely supported the overall goal of stronger discipline and safer classrooms, while asking for refinements. The Texas Classroom Teachers Association testified that teachers need more autonomy to remove disruptive or violent students and that classroom removals should not mean removal from learning. Superintendents from San Angelo, Grandview, and Wiley ISDs supported the bills’ emphasis on safety, expanded ISS flexibility, mandatory placement for serious offenses, and telehealth mental health services, but asked for more local control, flexibility for Districts of Innovation, more than one campus behavior coordinator in large districts, clearer timelines for return-to-class plans, and more precise definitions for disruptive conduct. Several witnesses stressed that teacher retention and student learning are being harmed by current discipline problems, while some members raised concerns about vague standards and the risk of overuse or public humiliation through citations and removals.

Transcript Highlights:

• schools, and junior colleges with the discretion to decide whether their designated school marshal or
• Members, let me be clear that this bill does not compel school districts to establish a school marshal
• It simply affords school districts and chartered. schools, private schools, and junior colleges the ability
• School behavior and school discipline have only gotten worse.
• School issues are prevalent.

Bills: SB27, SB226, SB326, SB570, SB605, SB870, SB991, SB1871, SB1872, SB1873, SB1874, SB1924, SB1925

Keywords: residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, antisemitism, student conduct, education, disciplinary actions, Texas Education Code, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district

Bills: SB27, SB226, SB326, SB570, SB605, SB870, SB991, SB1871, SB1872, SB1873, SB1874, SB1924, SB1925

Keywords: residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, antisemitism, student conduct, education, disciplinary actions, Texas Education Code, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district

Transcript Highlights:

• each school district because I know.
• One question will be, how many absences do you need for each school, each school district to establish
• Texas school districts and open enrollment charter schools. Mr.
• We got calls from from schools and lit up on our board that they were calling from school.
• . ...school nurses, assistant school nurses, and other key personnel.

Bills: SB204, SB570, SB735, SB784, SB1207, SB1396, SB1447, SB2392, SB2540, SB747, SB875

Keywords: parental rights, education, school trustees, training, handbook, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district, open-enrollment charter school, student support services, school counselor, principal, administrator

Transcript Highlights:

• Schools have a mandate this on school.
• It trains a school-based team in each school to handle those reports.
• It trains a school-based team in each school to handle those reports.
• It trains a school-based team in each school to handle those reports.
• It trains a school-based team in each school to handle those reports.

Bills: HF751, HF3550, HF3764, HF1490

Keywords: parental notification, school safety, bullying, harassment, violence, prohibited conduct, student discipline, charter school, school district, data practices, student privacy, parent rights, guardian notification, school incident reporting, cyberbullying, restraint, reasonable force, anti-bullying policy, school administration, student conduct

Transcript Highlights:

• , like my school, Alabama School of Math and Science, is already included in this amendment?
• , like my school, Alabama School of Math and Science, is already included in this amendment?
• Some schools I go to, tracking it.
• >> Does all schools have career coaches? >> Does all schools have career coaches?
• But somebody's on campus, uh, every school figuring eligibility for high school.

Bills: HF3714, HF4399, HF4176, HF2544, HF60, HF4231, HF4232

Keywords: foster care, child welfare, enrollment priority, education programs, child care assistance, education, school board, elections, local governance, school district, site-governed schools, education reform, local control, autonomy, interchange, bond issuance, transportation, infrastructure funding, Sherburne County, student eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• It's for school enrichment for public school students as well.
• members school board. um school board members school board. um school board members across<00:32:
• districts school districts so school districts school districts so school districts won't<00:37:48.079
• Schools. Proceed. Schools. Proceed.
• our school.

Bills: HF3714, HF4399, HF4176, HF2544, HF60, HF4231, HF4232

Keywords: foster care, child welfare, enrollment priority, education programs, child care assistance, education, school board, elections, local governance, school district, site-governed schools, education reform, local control, autonomy, interchange, bond issuance, transportation, infrastructure funding, Sherburne County, student eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• As someone who, when I was in high school at Blanche Ely High School, my high school coach took care
• It's keeping those kids in school.
• The proposed bill updates the exemption to include district school boards and public schools, and the
• This bill ensures that all Florida school districts formally observe Veterans Day as a school holiday
• Not every school district does.

Bills: S7022, S0178, S0430, S0464, S0538, S0920, S1036, S1136, S1216

Keywords: public records, open government, sunshine law, education assessments, testing materials, exam security, assessment instruments, test items, answer keys, scoring rubrics, item banks, developmental materials, workpapers, student testing, academic dishonesty, cheating, Florida Department of Education, State Board of Education, Board of Governors, Florida College System

Summary: The Education Pre-K through 12 Committee considered and reported favorably several bills. SB 1036 on school counselors was amended to clarify certification exemptions and passed, with support focused on addressing counselor shortages and student mental health needs. SB 1136 on dental screenings for K-12 students was converted by delete-all amendment to place the screening definition in the School Health Services Act and to require written parent notice and exemption procedures; it passed with support from PTA and other advocates. SB 920 on mathematics education passed after discussion of applied algebra courses tied to career pathways, while preserving Algebra I standards, end-of-course testing, graduation requirements, and university admission eligibility. SB 178 on athletics and public K-12 schools also passed after amendment adding a $15,000 annual cap on coach-provided personal support per team and discussion of guardrails to prevent recruiting abuses; members emphasized the role coaches play in supporting students. SB 1216 on public school personnel compensation passed with broad support for giving districts more flexibility on pay, cost-of-living adjustments, and advanced degree compensation. The committee also approved SPB 7022, a public records exemption bill extending protections for examination and assessment instruments to 2031 and clarifying coverage for district and school materials. SB 464 on observance of Veterans Day in K-12 schools passed after debate over whether schools should be closed or use the day for programs, with supporters arguing for statewide consistency and honoring veterans. Finally, SB 538 on physical education passed after a delete-all amendment establishing standardized extracurricular participation rules for public, private, virtual, and home education students, addressing coach compensation at the district level, and clarifying participation limits across schools. The committee recessed briefly for Senator Avila’s arrival, postponed SB 430, and adjourned after recording one additional favorable vote on SB 1036.