Transcript Highlights:

• lot of great gains in literacy.
• Madam Secretary, so is there no—this was my same issue with the Literacy Institute.
• So Representative Baca was talking about financial literacy.
• It has taken the early childhood daycare... Thank you. Thank you. How far we've come.
• It has taken the early childhood daycare program. We've taken that very seriously.

Bills: SB37, SB29

Keywords: high-quality literacy instruction, science of reading, structured literacy, reading instruction, literacy assessment, dyslexia screening, phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, biliteracy, English language learner, ELL, bilingual education, dual language program, reading intervention, reading difficulty, reading improvement plan, literacy coach

Transcript Highlights:

• ensuring that we have home visiting, early intervention, and all of those services that come from early childhood

Bills: SB37, SB29

Keywords: high-quality literacy instruction, science of reading, structured literacy, reading instruction, literacy assessment, dyslexia screening, phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, biliteracy, English language learner, ELL, bilingual education, dual language program, reading intervention, reading difficulty, reading improvement plan, literacy coach

Transcript Highlights:

• Typically, it's called the literacy bill and the math bill.
• So this is the High-Quality Literacy Instruction Act.
• , research-aligned approach to strengthening literacy outcomes, bringing clarity and coherence to literacy
• Passing this literacy bill ensures that structured literacy is not optional, inconsistent, Passing this
• literacy bill ensures that structured literacy is not optional, inconsistent, or dependent on circumstance

Bills: SB29, SB37

Keywords: SB29, math requirements for teaching license, teacher licensure, teacher endorsement, mathematics methods, elementary education, secondary education, special education, early childhood education, reciprocity, Public Education Department, Mathematics and Science Education Act, mathematics instructional leadership framework, professional learning plan, K-3 screening, mathematics screening assessment, mathematics difficulty, support plan, multilevel support, intervention

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> Similar to the Seal of Climate Literacy, Similar to the Seal of Climate Literacy, this<00:40:05.560
• ,</c> of Climate Literacy, of Climate Literacy, for<00:42:01.840><c> it</c><00:42:01.920><c> will</c>
• Um, climate literacy-related courses, are there climate literacy courses in high school currently?
• c> climate literacy-related courses, are climate literacy-related courses, are there<00:57:38.160><c>
• </c> spent a lot of time working on literacy spent a lot of time working on literacy and<01:19:23.080

Bills: HF3776, HF3557, HF3585

Keywords: screen time, preschool, kindergarten, early childhood education, digital media, tablets, smartphones, educational technology, EdTech, classroom devices, publicly funded preschool, school policy, child development, special education, IEP, 504 plan, IFSP, Minnesota education law, climate literacy, education

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> childhood program. childhood program.
• </c> advocating for more money for literacy. advocating for more money for literacy.
• </c> the results that we want in literacy? the results that we want in literacy?
• </c><01:08:40.560><c> And</c> which leads us into literacy. And which leads us into literacy.
• </c> literacy skills because we've lost that. literacy skills because we've lost that.

Bills: HF1660, HF1824, HF1926, HF1002, HF994, HF1915, HF1336

Keywords: children, youth programming, needs assessment, community engagement, state funding, education, funding, school districts, state budget, rural schools, food support, Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches, food shelves, grant funding, Minnesota FoodShare, early childhood, Head Start, education funding, developmental programs, literacy

Bills: SB29, SB64

Keywords: SB29, math requirements for teaching license, teacher licensure, teacher endorsement, mathematics methods, elementary education, secondary education, special education, early childhood education, reciprocity, Public Education Department, Mathematics and Science Education Act, mathematics instructional leadership framework, professional learning plan, K-3 screening, mathematics screening assessment, mathematics difficulty, support plan, multilevel support, intervention

Transcript Highlights:

• We had a really good discussion on the literacy bill, but it took up all of the time.
• Math was actually a bigger concern than literacy was at the time.
• I think they do a nice job of matching with what we already do with literacy.
• So these monthly reports will be coming on their literacy process.
• So these monthly reports will be coming on their literacy progress.

Bills: SB29, SB64

Keywords: SB29, math requirements for teaching license, teacher licensure, teacher endorsement, mathematics methods, elementary education, secondary education, special education, early childhood education, reciprocity, Public Education Department, Mathematics and Science Education Act, mathematics instructional leadership framework, professional learning plan, K-3 screening, mathematics screening assessment, mathematics difficulty, support plan, multilevel support, intervention

Transcript Highlights:

• when we think about early literacy.
• Imagination Library is, at its core, a literacy and school readiness program.
• It strengthens the birth-to-grade-three continuum, better aligns the program with statewide literacy
• Early literacy is the single greatest predictor of third- and fourth-grade test scores.
• Early literacy is a single greatest predictor of third and fourth grade test scores.

Bills: SB5952, SB5961, SB5969, SB5841, SB5943

Keywords: physical education, school districts, student requirements, education policy, high school, early literacy, childhood literacy, book distribution, Imagination Library, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, preschool, pre-K, reading readiness, school readiness, birth to age five, young children, nonprofit contract, OSPI, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, DCYF

Summary: The committee began with a work session on Washington’s child care oversight and subsidy system, with senators and DCYF officials describing Working Connections Child Care, Early Achievers, licensing, attendance tracking, annual unannounced inspections, and audit processes. DCYF said more than 63,000 families were determined eligible in 2025, about 37,000 were on the caseload, and licensed providers total about 6,600. Officials emphasized that payments go directly to providers after eligibility and authorization are confirmed, and that random and focused audits, along with referrals to the Office of Fraud and Accountability, are used to address overpayments and suspected fraud. Child Care Aware and a Vancouver provider also testified about quality coaching, tiered reimbursement, and the practical realities of inspections and family care settings. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5952, which would standardize the process for waiving high school physical education requirements. Student testifiers supported the bill as a fairness measure that would create a uniform waiver process across districts and help students fit in AP, career, or other coursework within limited six-period schedules. Opponents, including PE teachers and school health advocates, argued that athletics are not equivalent to physical education and warned that a statewide waiver template could weaken PE instruction and student health. The State Board of Education supported the bill as a way to reduce inequity in local waiver practices, while school principals opposed it and said the issue is better addressed through broader graduation-requirement work. Next, the committee took testimony on Senate Bill 5961, which would move the Imagination Library of Washington from DCYF to OSPI. The sponsor and supporters said the change would better align the program with early literacy and the birth-to-grade-three continuum, while preserving a program that currently serves about 120,000 children in all 39 counties. OSPI, the program director, and local partners testified in support, saying the transfer would improve accountability and fit the program’s education mission. The committee then began hearing Senate Bill 5969, which would allow a student’s IEP transition plan to satisfy the high school and beyond plan requirement if the IEP team determines that is appropriate; the sponsor said the bill is intended to reduce barriers for students with disabilities and free up time and resources, but the testimony was only beginning when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• appropriations, to contract with a nonprofit entity experienced in the provision of promoting early literacy
• pediatric office visits. ...with a nonprofit entity experienced in the provision of promoting early literacy
• their well-child exams. ...the three in particular, sometimes at birth to five, and uses books and literacy
• been in existence far before Imagination Library, and when we saw the conversation around early literacy
• My childhood was wonderful, but it was my parents who made it so amazing. I didn't know I was poor.

Bills: SB5992, SB5918, SB5951, SB6042, SB5952, SB5961, SB5969

Keywords: youth development, funding, positive programs, youth services, community programs, school funding, education, supplies, operating costs, K-12 education, albuterol, access, public schools, private schools, healthcare, school safety, emergency preparedness, mapping, local education policies, curriculum requirements

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 5992, which would create a non-appropriated Youth Development Fund account at OSPI to support grants for positive youth development programs serving ages 5 to 24. Staff explained the fund could receive gifts, grants, endowments, federal funds, legislative appropriations, and other receipts, and that grants could go to nonprofits, tribal entities, and parks and recreation organizations, with school districts and ESDs eligible in limited circumstances. Senator Krishnadasan and several members described the bill as a way to expand access to mentoring, after-school, summer, arts, sports, STEM, and other wraparound supports, especially for youth facing mental health, poverty, homelessness, or other barriers. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, including from students, youth-serving nonprofits, tribes, and state agencies, though one tribal witness asked for consultation, reserved tribal access, and data sovereignty protections. No vote on SB 5992 occurred in the portion provided; the committee moved on to other bills and later returned to testimony on it. In executive session, the committee acted on three bills. For Senate Bill 5952, which would have created a standardized process and form for excusing high school students from PE, the committee adopted Senator Wellman’s substitute, which instead requires districts to honor a prior excusal if a student transfers, and then gave the substitute a due pass recommendation to the Rules Committee. For Senate Bill 5961, which transfers the Imagination Library of Washington program from DCYF to OSPI, the committee adopted Senator Wilson’s substitute adding a directive for OSPI, subject to appropriations, to contract with a nonprofit experienced in early literacy through pediatric office visits, and then sent it to Ways and Means with a due pass recommendation. For Senate Bill 5969, concerning IEP transition plans and high school and beyond plans, the committee adopted Senator Cortez’s substitute removing student election language and instead directing OSPI to minimize duplication in the statewide IEP system, then sent the bill to Ways and Means with a due pass recommendation. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5918, which would increase materials, supplies, and operating costs (MSOC) funding by $100 per student or $100,000 per district, whichever is greater, starting in the 2026-27 school year. Staff said the bill had no limiting language requiring the money to be spent only on MSOC, and the fiscal estimate projected significant state costs. Supporters from school districts, administrators, PTA, rural education groups, and labor organizations said districts are using local levies to cover basic operating costs such as utilities, insurance, curriculum, and supplies, leaving less for enrichment and forcing cuts to programs. One remote witness opposed the bill on tax and affordability grounds. The sponsor emphasized that MSOC is part of the state’s paramount duty and that districts are using enrichment dollars simply to keep schools open. The transcript then moved on to Senate Bill 5951 on stock albuterol in schools and Senate Bill 6042 on school mapping for first responders, with testimony beginning on both bills but no final action shown in the excerpt.

Bills: HF56, HF780

Keywords: HF56, Minnesota bonding bill, capital investment, state bonds, bond proceeds fund, Hutchinson Area Transportation Services, Hutchinson, McLeod County, transportation facility, vehicle storage, equipment storage, fueling facility, temperate storage, local infrastructure, public works, general obligation bonds, education finance, school funding, state aid, appropriations

Bills: SB241

Keywords: child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Bills: SB241

Keywords: child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Bills: SB241

Keywords: child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Bills: SB241

Keywords: child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Summary: The Senate began by outlining the day’s agenda, then received several House messages, including the House’s request for concurrence on Senate Bill 151 and notice that the House had concurred in Senate amendments to House Bills 2, 3, and 70. The Senate also received enrolled bills SB 64 and SB 101, and later adopted committee reports on House Bill 120 and SB 64. The chamber then took up concurrence on SB 151, a tax package that the House amended to remove the gross receipts tax provision for medical supplies, add a 1% salary increase for state employees, higher education, and public schools, extend a high-wage job tax credit, and add sunsets. Senator Hamblen supported concurrence as a friendly amendment, while Senator Cervantes argued the House changes transformed the bill into an unconstitutional appropriations measure and urged a conference committee. The Senate nevertheless concurred, 22-14. On third reading, the Senate passed House Bill 61, which increases the penalty for aggravated battery on a peace officer from a third-degree to a second-degree felony to align with other sentencing provisions. Supporters, including Senator Cervantes, cited consistency in the criminal code and noted the Sentencing Commission’s endorsement; the bill passed 37-0. The Senate also passed House Joint Memorial 3, directing the Environment Department to convene stakeholders and report on implementation of the PFAS Protection Act, despite a brief exchange over whether the memorial could be read as expanding authority under the existing PFAS law; it passed 22-13. The chamber then passed several memorials: Senate Memorial 20, amended to include youth and family voices and legislative appointees in a statewide youth violence summit, passed 35-0; Senate Memorial 21, calling for a study of a statewide overdose prevention program, passed 35-0; Senate Memorial 22, which asks the Legislative Finance Committee to convene a working group on domestic violence funding and CYFD-related funding flows, passed; and Senate Memorial 27, urging expansion of the Radiation Exposure Act to compensate New Mexicans affected by atomic testing and uranium mining, passed 34-0. At the end of the session, the Senate received a governor’s message authorizing consideration of SB 74 on cockfighting penalties, followed by a playful Senate response message. The body also agreed to move House Joint Memorial 2 from Rules to the President’s table and then recessed until 8:30 a.m. the next day.

Bills: HB169, HB169

Keywords: education trust fund, appropriations, budget, fiscal year 2026, public education, K-12, pre-K, early childhood education, community colleges, higher education, Alabama Community College System, teacher pay, teacher stipend, school nurses, literacy, numeracy, reading coaches, math and science teachers, career and technical education, CTE

Transcript Highlights:

• We use general fund and then we use the early childhood trust fund.

Bills: SB241, SB145

Keywords: child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, I have the Secretary of Early Childhood to let her make a few short comments.
• The first section basically adds language into the Early Childhood Education and Care Fund, which is
• the trust fund for early childhood. ...and basically allows stability for this entire program for the
• And as we move out of the 50th in education, the slow move, whether it's early childhood, child care,

Bills: SB241, SB145

Keywords: child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Bills: SB241, SB145, HB2

Keywords: child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Transcript Highlights:

• We use general fund and then we use the early childhood trust fund.

Bills: SB241, SB145, HB2

Keywords: child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 241 and reviewed a Senate Finance Committee substitute that incorporated several amendments. Staff explained changes related to the child care fund, residency determinations for federally eligible applicants, expanded child care assistance eligibility for grandparents raising grandchildren and foster parents, updated payment-rate rulemaking, tribal child care sovereignty and culturally appropriate services, limits on land grant permanent fund use for nonsectarian/non-denominational services, provider licensure pathways, and reporting clarifications. Members also discussed whether the bill would maximize federal and state child care tax benefits and how the nonsectarian language would apply to faith-based child care providers. The committee adopted the substitute and then passed it on a 7-3 vote. The committee then moved into House Bill 2 budget language review, focusing on budget adjustment authority and other fiscal provisions. Members discussed proposed BAR language for the State Investment Council, State Treasurer, PERA, and the Economic Development Department, with concerns about caps, whether the language was too broad, and whether some items should revert to existing law or be removed. The committee approved some of the BAR language items, but flagged the Treasurer and Economic Development provisions for later review. Members also discussed extending certain appropriations and project timelines, including a Rio Grande Trail Commission item and several IT and public safety projects, generally favoring extensions where work was still underway. The committee then debated proposed public school support language that would bar PED from approving budgets for schools with fewer than 180 instructional days and from approving new moves to four-day school weeks. Several members argued the 180-day language conflicted with existing statute, which is based on instructional hours, and that the four-day-week restriction could have unintended consequences. The committee ultimately voted down both public school support provisions. The meeting ended with a brief discussion of reviewing the rest of House Bill 2 and related supplemental and language items in the next session, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Language programs to the overall literacy bill. These were amendments that I gladly accepted.

Bills: SB273, SB37, SB100

Keywords: SB273, appropriations, general fund, hold harmless, local government finance, municipal revenue, county revenue, correctional facility, jail contract, private prison, detention facility, immigration detention, revenue bonds, clawback, child welfare, juvenile justice, protective services, school improvement, New MexiCare, aging services