Transcript Highlights:

• , and oral language.
• But when you move into the English language class, you should be... ...using the comprehensive literacy
• the language foundations, regardless of what one's first language is.
• First, it is in the language...
• So what you heard Megan talk about, the language related to the C-plus, which was language that...

Bills: HB1295, HB2007, HB2262, HB2636

Keywords: reading instruction, structured literacy, early literacy, dyslexia, phonics, phonological awareness, language comprehension, vocabulary, fluency, oral language, orthographic knowledge, multi-tiered system of supports, MTSS, screening assessments, intervention, reading intervention, elementary education, kindergarten, first grade, second grade

Summary: The committee first took up a motion from Ranking Member Root to promptly schedule public hearings on two citizens’ initiatives. Members argued over the constitutional role of initiatives and whether the committee should hear them, but the motion failed on a voice vote. The committee then began public hearings on several education bills, suspending and returning to some as time allowed. House Bill 1295, dealing with evidence-based literacy instruction for K-4 students, drew extensive briefing and testimony. The substitute bill would require evidence-aligned literacy curricula, update teacher endorsement standards, and require some literacy-related continuing education for certificate renewal. Supporters, including the sponsor, a parent advocate, a Puyallup district administrator, PESB staff, and a speech-language pathologist, said the bill would improve reading outcomes, align teacher preparation with the science of reading, and help districts adopt coherent literacy systems. Opponents and critics testified that alternative reading methods such as Read-Write have worked for them and warned against over-prescribing one approach. The hearing on HB 1295 was suspended and left open for additional testimony. House Bill 2262 would require a standalone high school civics course to include instruction on producing a legible, repeatable signature and how signatures are used in elections. The sponsor and supporters, including a county auditor, said the bill could reduce ballot rejections caused by signature mismatches, especially among younger voters, and improve civic participation. Questions focused on whether the bill should specify cursive or account for different writing systems and whether printed signatures are less unique; the auditor said uniqueness helps verification but that printed signatures can still be matched. The committee closed the hearing after hearing strong public support and a small amount of opposition. House Bill 2636 would create a new commission, staffed by JLARC, to review education mandates and funding over time to identify ineffective or underfunded requirements. The sponsor said the goal was to address unfunded mandates and reduce administrative burdens on districts. Testimony from a Seattle resident, a citizen, and a rural education leader supported the idea of reviewing mandates and funding, though one witness suggested narrowing the scope and moving the start date up. The public hearing closed with a large majority of sign-ins in opposition. The committee then began House Bill 2007, which would expand competency-based graduation pathway options. The sponsor and student witnesses said the bill would give students more flexible ways to demonstrate readiness and better align graduation requirements with student strengths. The State Board of Education testified neutrally, supporting competency-based opportunities but saying the bill would add work during its ongoing Future Ready graduation-requirements review and suggesting the legislature wait for those recommendations or name the assessment more specifically to simplify implementation.

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires updated or purchased literacy curriculum and a comprehensive literacy program to be aligned
• with the state learning standards in English language arts.
• There are non-substantive changes and modifications to intent language.
• Thank you. ...under a comprehensive literacy program during the prior school year.
• And also modifies intent language.

Bills: HB1295, HB2262, HB2551, HB2593, HB2594, HB2636

Keywords: reading instruction, structured literacy, early literacy, dyslexia, phonics, phonological awareness, language comprehension, vocabulary, fluency, oral language, orthographic knowledge, multi-tiered system of supports, MTSS, screening assessments, intervention, reading intervention, elementary education, kindergarten, first grade, second grade

Summary: The House Education Committee briefed and took executive action on several bills. House Bill 1295, relating to comprehensive literacy programs and educator literacy training, was revised through a proposed substitute and several amendments. The substitute updated literacy curriculum alignment requirements, changed educator recertification provisions, restored some prior literacy-related state duties, and added reporting and implementation timelines. After debate over whether the bill should create a mandate for districts, the committee adopted one amendment and then passed the bill 17-0. House Bill 2262 would require high school civics instruction to include cursive signature instruction and related election-signature content. Amendments were adopted to allow culturally or linguistically appropriate signature forms, add historical context about marginalized communities, remove the requirement that students produce a legible cursive signature as a graduation condition, and eliminate State Board monitoring of compliance. The committee passed the bill 14-0. House Bill 2551, allowing certain school districts to sell real property with superintendent authorization, was also passed after members debated whether it was a prudent response to district financial pressures; the final vote was 10-4. House Bill 2593, dealing with school district minimum fund balances and monthly financial reporting to OSPI, was amended to remove a provision allowing withholding of apportionment payments for reporting failures. The substitute shifted the bill toward formal financial monitoring, technical assistance, and reporting requirements, and the committee passed it 11-3. House Bill 2594, establishing state requirements to ensure homeless students have equal access to public education, was amended to remove duplicative OSPI provisions and clarify McKinney-Vento alignment; it passed 14-0. House Bill 2636, creating a JLARC-based review process for public education policy and funding, was amended to keep a null-and-void clause from advancing, and the committee passed the substitute 14-0. The committee then adjourned after announcing a future meeting date.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House Education Committee inserted biliteracy for English language learners and students in bilingual
• Language programs to the overall literacy bill. These were amendments that I gladly accepted.
• It adds language to confirm that our charter schools are indeed also public schools and it adds a pathway
• able to know this or not, or whether you recall, but your Medical Malpractice Act also included new language
• It also clarifies some statutory language for our soil and water conservation districts.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• President, the House Education Committee inserted biliteracy for English language learners and students
• in bilingual and dual language programs into the overall literacy bill.
• This is just simply cleanup language for the PARA statute. Okay. Mr.
• President. ...language and a new definition for a health care system, or a health system, is that right
• It also clarifies some statutory language for our soil and water conservation districts.

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

Summary: The Senate convened on the 30th day of the 2026 session, established a quorum, heard an invocation from Chaplain Harry Eberts, and received several announcements and House messages. The chamber then took up multiple concurrence and third-reading items, including Senate Bill 273, Senate Bill 37, Senate Bill 100, Senate Bill 41, House Bill 34, House Bill 20, House Bill 43, House Bill 38, and House Bill 256. The body also heard that House Joint Memorial 2 was moved from the President’s table to the calendar, and later received messages from the House on several other Senate and House measures. The most contentious action was concurrence on Senate Bill 273, which concerns correction facility loss of revenue for counties affected by the loss of ICE detainees. Senators debated the economic impact on Torrance, Otero, and Cibola counties, with supporters arguing the bill provided partial relief and critics saying it did not come close to replacing lost jobs and revenue. The Senate ultimately concurred with the House amendments by a vote of 22-18. On Senate Bill 100, which would have expanded burglary-related definitions to include an “extension of a dwelling,” several senators argued the House language was too broad and legally vague, and the Senate voted not to concur, sending the bill back to the House. Senate Bill 41, with a technical correction and addition of second-degree criminal sexual penetration, was concurred with by voice vote. Among the bills passed on third reading, House Bill 34 updated school nurse licensure rules and supervision pathways and passed 38-0. House Bill 43, a PERA cleanup bill, clarified retirement and survivor-benefit provisions, and passed 39-0 after questions about whether it affected PERA’s unfunded liability; sponsors said it did not. House Bill 38 expanded insurance coverage for powered mobility devices and prosthetics, including coverage for batteries and in-state provider requirements, and passed 38-0. House Bill 256 expanded cardiac emergency response planning and AED requirements to athletic activities and schools, including private schools on a phased-in basis, and was debated over cost and scope before passing. House Bill 20, which would allow Native American designation on driver’s licenses and IDs, prompted extended discussion about tribal support, documentation, and possible profiling concerns; the transcript cuts off before final disposition of that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's just telling you where this language is found.
• I'd like to direct your attention to one bit of language.
• And then as far as the Opportunity Scholarship language, within the... ...Opportunity Scholarship language
• Chair, Representative Pettigrew, on the 500 category language, that language is just mainly providing
• language.

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:

• for the Department for FY20. for the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, the CARA program for
• On page 11, we're looking at some reauthorizations in bar language.
• And then we're seeking some bar language authority that we used to have.
• The agency did have it, didn't have this last year, and so we're seeking to have that bar language...
• That $508,000 was within our state lab because we had the inability to obtain that bar language.

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:

• We have dyslexic students in every language.
• It's a book language. It's different from talking. It's vocabulary. It's comprehension.
• Reading is one part of the language arts.
• I can support this bill because of the strong language and support of cultural and language awareness
• It encompasses all the language arts.

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:

• urging the Department of Education to strengthen menstrual health education initiatives to adopt a comprehensive
• urging the Department of Education to strengthen menstrual health education initiatives to adopt a comprehensive
• urging the Department of Education to strengthen menstrual health education initiatives to adopt a comprehensive
• </c><00:19:41.080><c> and</c><00:19:41.240><c> standardized</c> for, comprehensive and standardized for
• , comprehensive and standardized menstrual<00:19:42.120><c> health</c><00:19:42.360><c> education.

Bills: HCR122

Keywords: Olelo Hawaii, micro-credentials, Hawaiian language, Niihau dialect, language revitalization, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate Committee on Education and Committee on Hawaiian Affairs first took up HCR 122, which requests the University of Hawaii to allow an ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi E Pathway under the Niʻihau dialect. Testimony was generally supportive, and the chair noted agreement with the House author to mirror amendments already made in the Senate version, including technical, non-substantive changes and a micro-credential reference. Both committees voted to pass HCR 122 with amendments. The committee then heard HCR 181, affirming the legislative intent of HRS 302A-1116 regarding the Department of Education’s authority to create temporary positions. DOE Superintendent Keith Hayashi testified that the department follows statutory requirements and consults with the Attorney General, while several members expressed concern that the department’s interpretation could allow repeated annual renewals and undermine the budget process. Members discussed the need to make the bill more explicit that temporary positions may not exceed one year. The committee ultimately adopted the proposed SD1 and passed HCR 181 with amendments. The committee also considered HCR 42 on recognizing cheerleading as a title sport, HCR 53 on a UH associate degree completion audit, HCR 110 on refining campus roles within the UH system, HCR 111 on clarifying UH system and campus responsibilities, and HCR 118 HD1 on strengthening menstrual health education and adopting a comprehensive menstrual cycle curriculum. HCR 42 and HCR 53 were passed with technical/non-substantive amendments, HCR 110 and HCR 111 were passed unamended, and HCR 118 HD1 was passed with amendments reflecting the Senate version. Testimony on HCR 118 strongly supported standardized menstrual health education, with speakers emphasizing student demand and existing school infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• for open-up discussion on this, I think the bill is absolutely necessary for the terms of cleanup language
• . ...from Representative Schreiber Beck's testimony in updating just language to now switch from NDSA
• Right, and then you have to be able to vote if we have the language here.
• So they would probably, if we added in that language, they would fit that in where— Let's see here.
• Chairman, just wanted to clarify section five of the bill does have language in there regarding immunity

Bills: HB1404

Keywords: HB 1404, North Dakota scholarship, scholarship eligibility, student aid, high school graduation, college readiness, career readiness, career and technical education, CTE, dual credit, advanced placement, AP exam, International Baccalaureate, IB exam, ACT, SAT, WorkKeys, ASVAB, JROTC, Civil Air Patrol

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with six members present and first took up House Bill 1404, which would update North Dakota scholarship eligibility language by allowing the NDA Plus assessment to be used in place of ACT scores in certain pathways. The Department of Public Instruction explained that the bill does not eliminate the ACT entirely, but removes outdated references tied to ACT accountability testing that will no longer apply after this year’s seniors graduate. Members discussed how the change affects public and nonpublic schools, then voted 6-0 to give HB 1404 a do pass recommendation. The committee then returned to House Bill 1363, a bill dealing with school emergency response planning and automatic external defibrillators. Members adopted an amendment clarifying that the requirements apply to school-owned facilities and grounds, replacing language about school events and venues, and revising the planning language for school-based events not held on school-owned property. The committee also debated whether the bill should be mandatory or permissive; a motion to change “shall” to “may” failed, with members noting the bill’s liability protections. The committee then voted 5-1 to pass HB 1363 as amended, with Senator Gerhardt carrying the bill. Before recessing, the chair noted that House Bill 1533 would be taken up later in the day after additional information from DPI was received.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we were just working on that language.
• And so we were just working on that language.
• So we feel very comfortable with the language changing. And with business.
• So we feel very comfortable with the language changing induced to coerce.
• Just as a brief reminder, language access providers are independent contractors who provide spoken-language

Bills: SB5944

Keywords: language access, collective bargaining, labor relations, employment rights, worker protections, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The language is very clear, and the committee has the language in front of them.
• is too large in what it uh language is too large in what it uh determines<00:49:07.359><c> to</c><00
• And then, to keep the conversation going, um, I'm going to strike the language about chapter 76.
• </c><02:45:31.439><c> So</c><02:45:31.600><c> this</c> um language about chapter 76.
• So this um language about chapter 76.

Bills: HB1531

Keywords: emergency announcements, American Sign Language, accessibility, public safety, broadcast media, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1913, which would create a mental health coordinator position within the Office of Veteran Services for the Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home and appropriate funds for it. Supporters said veterans, especially on the neighbor islands, need more mental health access and coordination. Several witnesses, including Sean Sonatada and Tom Driscoll, supported the intent but urged amendments to broaden the position beyond one facility and make it a statewide resource. Committee members questioned whether the bill would duplicate existing services at the veterans home and whether the position would be reimbursable through federal VA funding; testimony indicated the state would appropriate the money, while existing home services are already covered through current staff and federal reimbursement structures. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 9, which would designate Hawaii as a Purple Heart state. Testifiers generally supported the measure as a way to honor wounded veterans and their families, though one member asked what benefits the designation would confer. Witnesses clarified that the bill was mainly symbolic and did not appear to create new benefits, and one testifier noted Honolulu County had already adopted a similar Purple Heart designation. The committee then took up House Bill 1628, which would establish a compassionate release protocol for certain seriously ill or debilitated incarcerated persons. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Hawaii Paroling Authority opposed the bill, arguing that an existing administrative process already works, that the bill could improperly extend eligibility to people serving life without parole or mandatory minimum sentences, and that it lacked victim and family input and sufficient resources. In contrast, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission strongly supported the bill, saying it would reduce the high cost of incarcerating people with complex medical needs, ease burdens on staff and the prison population, and better reflect human dignity. The commission described having seen severe suffering and deaths in custody and said compassionate release is warranted in some cases. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're adjusting one of the language for one of those.
• We will take that language.
• I can tell you it's the most comprehensive.
• What does that language mean? Enforcement. Enforcement of what?
• Uh, we kind of got notified that the agreed language we had on this may not work.

Bills: HB441

Keywords: speech-language pathology, licensure, clinical supervision, educational qualifications, healthcare assistant, sessions, 2025-R, 1, 219

Transcript Highlights:

• the Texas Seal of Biliteracy to provide a uniform statewide credential for students fluent in two languages
• They all speak a language other than English at home.
• A useful language would be a great thing, particularly Spanish in this country these days, you know,
• I mean, you want them to be able to converse and be able to write in the language.
• We need to put this language into policy practice so that way we can keep it moving.

Bills: SB750, SB2995, SB1716, SB2430, SB203, SB1679, SB2683, SB1414

Keywords: tuition exemption, paramedics, higher education, public institutions, laboratory fees, education code, financial aid, education, student support, scholarships, nontraditional education, student enrollment, financial assistance, Texas students, foreign adversaries, trade secrets, research integrity, security measures, international agreements, student privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• So, there is a lot of language support and programs to address their learning and language needs.
• in a language other than English.
• In most cases, that language is Spanish, but we also have Mandarin dual language programs.
• versus across both languages.
• arts, science—in both languages.

Bills: HB295, HB824, HB1579, HB1581, HB2189, HB295

Keywords: bullying, antisemitism, school policies, school discipline, education, education policy, Texas Education Code, hate speech, student rights, civics education, high school curriculum, government, voting process, elected officials, Texas Seal of Biliteracy, biliteracy, bilingual education, multilingual, language proficiency, high school diploma

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any language in here, and I'm Not seeing it.
• Also in language domains in which they will be serving the community.
• language education.
• Language development to serve our populations. And it shouldn't be hit or miss.
• We have dual language immersion schools and we have high school students.

Bills: SB106, SB171, SB179

Keywords: graduate scholarship, higher education funding, New Mexico, appropriation, financial aid, education, documentary, historical figure, Padre Antonio Jose Martinez, Northern New Mexico State School, SB179, Senate Bill 179, UNM, University of New Mexico, medical Spanish, Spanish-language curriculum, health sciences, health professions education, language access, bilingual healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• So if you go to page nine, line 18 through 25, that is really adding some specific language based on
• This also included language that's identified by both the United Nations and the United States Department

Bills: SB106, SB171, SB179

Keywords: graduate scholarship, higher education funding, New Mexico, appropriation, financial aid, education, documentary, historical figure, Padre Antonio Jose Martinez, Northern New Mexico State School, SB179, Senate Bill 179, UNM, University of New Mexico, medical Spanish, Spanish-language curriculum, health sciences, health professions education, language access, bilingual healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• That was at the table, and this speech-language pathology board had a... Language pathology board.
• It's language provided by them.
• So, I'm assuming I just want to make sure that the language that was provided by...
• So what I did was I added in the language in the...
• The speech and language pathologist would not supervise... language pathologist would not supervise more

Bills: HB441, SB274

Keywords: speech-language pathology, licensure, clinical supervision, educational qualifications, healthcare assistant, makeup application, blow-dry styling, cosmetology, licensing, regulation exemption, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in a foreign language course has fallen by over 30% since 2009.
• Foreign language proficiency is one more tool in that toolbox.
• a language.
• The Board will then create a comprehensive report with legislative recommendations.
• This language came in from the coordinating board.

Bills: SB800, SB1534, SB2055, SB2310, SB2431, SB2786, SB3039, SB1242

Keywords: sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, higher education, student safety, orientation policies, health physics, workforce development, nuclear energy, radiological safety, scholarship, education, Texas Leadership Scholars Program, student funding, transparency, degree requirements, certificate programs, student transfer, foreign language

Transcript Highlights:

• education methods with a focus on dual language immersion programs.
• If our kids can speak two languages, it strengthens all of us for them to be bilingual.
• Members, I'm laying out this new substitute language for Senator Nichols on his behalf.
• That's what we're trying to do with this language. I applaud what you're trying to do.
• I do think we need to tighten the language up.

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:

• I understand you have some substitutions. language to explain for the benefit of the committee.
• We really appreciate all of your testimony, just keep your language.
• And by the time it got to the police, do I need to alter my language on what they said?
• So that language is there in that. And that might be helpful. Thank you very much.
• I do think we need to tighten the language up.

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