Transcript Highlights:

• If you are online, you're going to need to click the 'join as a panelist' pop-up when it appears and
• replacing total family contribution with total student aid index, redefining financial need as the difference
• between a student's cost of attendance and the student's total student aid index.
• student financial aid programs are made available to eligible students.
• states in the nation that provide financial assistance for former foster youth, but even with the best needs-based

Bills: SB5963

Keywords: SB 5963, passport to careers, Washington College Grant, financial aid, higher education, student aid, need-based aid, college affordability, postsecondary education, workforce development, apprenticeship, foster youth, homeless students, unaccompanied youth, low-income students, public assistance, state financial aid account, scholarships, Washington student grants, grant eligibility

Summary: The Postsecondary Education and Workforce Committee held public hearings on two bills. Substitute Senate Bill 5931, a companion to House Bill 2311, would make administrative changes to the Workforce Education Investment Accountability and Oversight Board, including extending co-chair terms from one to two years, allowing more than four meetings per year, requiring consultation with the Student Achievement Council when evaluating outcomes, and removing the requirement for a public data dashboard. Committee staff and Student Achievement Council testimony described the bill as technical, with no fiscal impact, and said the dashboard was never created and was later defunded. The bill’s sponsor, Senator Warnock, and the lone testifier supported it, and no opposition was presented in the hearing. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5963, the companion to House Bill 2586, which would change Passport to Careers and Washington College Grant rules so that students eligible for Passport to Careers—former foster youth and unaccompanied homeless youth—would automatically qualify as income-eligible for the Washington College Grant beginning in the 2026-27 academic year. Staff explained that the bill also aligns the financial need formula with the federal student aid index and directs Passport to Careers funds into the state financial aid account. Testimony from the Student Achievement Council, Washington Student Association, and Western Washington University strongly supported the bill, emphasizing the barriers faced by foster and homeless youth, the high rates at which these students already receive maximum grant awards, and the bill’s role in streamlining access to aid. Senator Nobles said the measure would not increase costs and urged support. At the close of the hearing, the chair said the committee intended to executive both bills on Tuesday if a majority of members wanted that, with amendment requests due by Monday at 10 a.m. and amendments approved by 6 p.m. Monday. The committee also announced it would not meet on Friday.

Transcript Highlights:

• She said 55% of students are students of color, 48% receive need-based financial aid in eligible programs
• higher education institutions in the nation. 55% of our students are students of color, 48% receive need-based
• Forty percent receive need-based financial aid, and a large majority have jobs while attending college
• Can you talk a little bit about the needs for compensation for the needs for compensation for...
• And they need that knowledge. So... ...for special ed endorsement, and they need that knowledge.

Bills: SB6258, SB5963

Keywords: Washington Medical Commission, medical license, license relinquishment, voluntary surrender, nondisciplinary pathway, physician regulation, health professional licensing, disciplinary database, National Practitioner Data Bank, license renewal, license reinstatement, medical board, professional discipline, credential surrender, healthcare regulation, SB 5963, passport to careers, Washington College Grant, financial aid, higher education

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 6258, which would authorize the Washington Medical Commission to create a non-disciplinary process for physicians and other licensees to voluntarily relinquish their licenses. Staff, the bill sponsor, and supporters from the Medical Commission and the Washington Physicians Health Program said the bill would give providers a dignified way to permanently give up a license when they are retiring or otherwise leaving practice, without triggering disciplinary reporting, while preserving patient safety by excluding anyone under investigation or discipline. Members asked about the practical purpose of the bill, including how it would help retired or inactive doctors avoid ongoing continuing education and administrative oversight. The committee then held a work session on part-time and contingent faculty in the community and technical college system. The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges described the system’s enrollment, staffing, and bargaining structure, noting that faculty conditions and pay vary by college and that adjunct pay has historically lagged behind full-time faculty. A panel from AFT Washington argued that contingent faculty are underpaid and often lack guaranteed work, benefits, or compensation for duties such as office hours, advising, and committee work. They cited a 2024 SBCTC report finding contingent faculty pay averaged 61.5% of full-time faculty pay and said the state’s 85% pay-equity goal should be funded over time; members asked about bargaining, health benefits, workload, and comparisons to other teaching jobs. In executive session, the committee considered two bills. Substitute Senate Bill 5931, making administrative changes to the Workforce Education, Investment, Accountability, and Oversight Board, was reported out of committee with a do pass recommendation on a 14-1 vote. Senate Bill 5963, which would automatically make students eligible for the Passport to Careers program if they qualify for the Washington College Grant and align the financial-need formula with the federal formula, was also reported out with a do pass recommendation on a 15-0 vote. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you all know, the state grant program in Minnesota is the main need-based financial aid program.
• </c> the students who need the most. the students who need the most.
• </c> maintenance need at the university. maintenance need at the university.
• Thank you, are are needed.
• </c> need to do with removing silver filling. need to do with removing silver filling.

Bills: HF4266

Keywords: higher education, state grants, financial aid, college affordability, Office of Higher Education, Minnesota State Grant, need analysis, expected family contribution, student aid, grant formula, living and miscellaneous expense allowance, dependent student, independent student, parental contribution, student contribution, surplus appropriation, biennium, summer 2026, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> we need a few things straightened out. we need a few things straightened out.
• its characteristics and needs.
• HF 4161 corrects this by setting the base-year aid at that formula-derived amount so that the standard
• </c> when they don't necessarily need that. when they don't necessarily need that.
• </c> he's needed in taxes. he's needed in taxes.

Bills: HF495, HF4321, HF3902, HF4161, HF3755

Keywords: day care, tax subtraction, child care costs, licensed child care, dependent care assistance, HF4321, dependent care assistance programs, gross income exclusion, federal conformity, Internal Revenue Code, individual income tax, Minnesota tax law, tax conformity, child care assistance, employer-provided dependent care, taxable income, state income tax, retroactive tax change, family care benefits, housing tax credit

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:10:37.120><c> to,</c><00:10:37.279><c> but</c> testifiers if I need to, but testifiers if I need
• </c><01:21:19.920><c> Every</c> costs without direct aid. Every costs without direct aid.
• </c> schools are included in safety aid schools are included in safety aid funding.<01:21:39.520><c>
• We need to close this gap.
• </c><01:36:37.520><c> I</c> a plan that is evidence-based. I a plan that is evidence-based.

Bills: HF3492, HF3493, HF3494, HF3495, HF3602

Keywords: school safety, grants, education funding, Northern Lights Express, security improvements, rural schools, safe schools, charter schools, nonpublic schools, Tribal education, funding increase, safe schools aid, school security, mental health support, Tribal schools, cybersecurity, funding, mental health, evidence-based plans, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• But I think we need to have more information, not to go against this, but I need to have more information
• But I think we need to have more information, not to go against this, but I need to have more information
• Needs are changing, and our universities need to be a little more nimble as it relates to the pricing
• Do you need a copy of it?
• I agree that we need those answers.

Bills: HR171, HCR49, HB632, HB1084, SB310, SB351, SB399

Keywords: HR171, House Resolution 171, M.J. Foster Promise Program, TOPS-Tech, TOPS Tech Award, Board of Regents, Louisiana Works, Louisiana Community and Technical College System, LCATCS, financial aid, scholarship, workforce development, career training, technical education, vocational education, postsecondary credential, associate degree, industry-based credential, high-demand jobs, high-wage occupations

Transcript Highlights:

• So do we really need to remove that as an option, is what I'm kind of questioning? Senator, Mr.
• Do non-publics need an accountability measure?
• events that are not held— ...and replace it with: develop a plan for school-based events that are not
• are not held, or do you think leave— ...for C, develop a plan for school-based athletic events that
• I need a carrier. Senator Gerhardt. Thank you for volunteering. Senator Gerhardt.

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:

• </c> clarity was needed for the A2 amendment. clarity was needed for the A2 amendment.
• </c> in regards to financial aid. in regards to financial aid.
• financial aid application because they are not eligible for federal financial aid.
• financial aid application because they are not eligible for federal financial aid.
• </c> that that need it later on. that that need it later on.

Bills: HF1323, HF4266, HF4413, HF3101, HF4572, HF4698, HF3650, HF2634

Keywords: undocumented, financial aid, state policy, higher education, noncitizen eligibility, state grants, college affordability, Office of Higher Education, Minnesota State Grant, need analysis, expected family contribution, student aid, grant formula, living and miscellaneous expense allowance, dependent student, independent student, parental contribution, student contribution, surplus appropriation, biennium

Transcript Highlights:

• Still assigned, I needed to get it through committee.
• The bill is written so that the cleanup that we really need For this bill, based on what this body passed
• Is it based on the number of kids?
• And I Need guidance quite frankly on what to do with the tea aspect.
• This vehicle does need to move forward.

Bills: HB3312, HB3700, HB2981, HB2961, HB3016, HB4478, HB4326, HB3025, HB3710

Keywords: firearm safety, public schools, education policy, student safety, gun control, opt-out option, grading system, student assessment, academic integrity, state funding, opinion conduct, open meetings, school boards, transparency, public access, education governance, HB2961, TSgt Marshal Dakota Roberts Gold Star Survivor Act, Gold Star family, Gold Star recipient

Transcript Highlights:

• We needed to clean up a little bit, so that's what you'll see for the first couple of pages.
• We needed to clean up a little bit. So that's what you'll see for the first couple of pages.
• I need to continue to work on it.
• The bill is written so that the cleanup that we really need for this bill, based on what this body passed
• We needed to run some cleanup, so it's trying to accomplish that.

Bills: HB3312, HB3700, HB2981, HB2961, HB3016, HB4478, HB4326, HB3025, HB3710

Keywords: firearm safety, public schools, education policy, student safety, gun control, opt-out option, grading system, student assessment, academic integrity, state funding, opinion conduct, open meetings, school boards, transparency, public access, education governance, HB2961, TSgt Marshal Dakota Roberts Gold Star Survivor Act, Gold Star family, Gold Star recipient

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met and first recognized visiting students and staff from Putnam City North and Edmond Public Schools. The committee then took up several House bills, beginning with HB 3312, which would require annual age-appropriate firearm safety instruction in public schools starting in the 2026–2027 school year, with CLEET and the Department of Education developing the curriculum. The bill was advanced on a 9-2 vote after the author described it as a safety measure and cited a personal tragedy involving children and a firearm. The committee also passed HB 3700, requiring colleges and universities to adopt policies ensuring grades are based only on academic performance, and HB 2981, requiring school districts to post school board meeting minutes within two weeks of approval. HB 2961, creating the Tech Sergeant Marshall Dakota Roberts Gold Star Surviving Act to provide tuition, fees, and room and board for spouses and children of Gold Star recipients at state public universities or career tech schools, passed unanimously after discussion of a possible fiscal impact. HB 3016, establishing a two-year pilot vision screening program for about 12 schools to identify convergence insufficiency disorders linked to literacy, also passed. Later, HB 4478 passed to raise the daily deposit threshold for school districts and sites from $100 to $500 while still requiring weekly deposits. HB 4326, a cleanup bill related to Oklahoma’s Promise deadlines, certified teacher definitions, and a contingent T-SET-related provision, passed after debate about its unfinished status and funding concerns. HB 3025 passed with a change excluding donations from general fund collections for carryover balance purposes for one year, and HB 3710 passed to make a new higher education program cohort-based, requiring students to begin eligibility as freshmen. The chair closed by noting the committee had moved quickly, and announced upcoming executive nominee meetings and another committee meeting the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's based on the way that the non-public aid works.
• The aid is simply based on the number of non-public schools that request the aid.
• The aid is simply based on the number of non-public schools that request the aid.
• The aid is simply based on the number of non-public schools that request the aid.
• The aid is simply based on the number of non-public schools that request the aid.

Bills: HF984, HF921, HF922

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

Transcript Highlights:

• I don’t need to eat up the time.
• First, they say students need ethnic studies because they need to learn all American history, including
• We need to address academic gaps.
• We need to address academic gaps.
• We need to think about what works, what we need to keep, and what we might need to change.

Bills: HF29, HF921, HF922, HF1048, HF1049

Keywords: railroad, infrastructure, transportation funding, environmental remediation, capital investment, 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

Transcript Highlights:

• based on that.
• equalization aid was was based<00:10:14.920><c> on</c><00:10:15.080><c> that.
• Our young people need support, and they need tools to protect and improve their mental health.
• Our young people need support, and they need tools to protect and improve their mental health.
• </c> understand student mental health needs. understand student mental health needs.

Bills: HF4213, HF4198, HF3930, HF3585, HF3451

Keywords: education finance, school funding, K-12, prekindergarten, pre-K, early childhood education, general education aid, special education, literacy aid, school meals, free school meals, school breakfast, school lunch, charter school lease aid, charter schools, nonpublic pupil aid, private school aid, transportation aid, desegregation aid, integration aid

Transcript Highlights:

• Not only is Beltrami County limited in its tax base, but we also have disproportionate need for services
• But we need to uh uh we need with that.
• Both need to be added for accuracy. Both need to be added for accuracy.
• It goes without saying that you saw a green-based, DOS-based screen.
• Do we need to put in everything done. Do we need to put in legislation?

Bills: HF4421, HF1937, HF4675, HF4715, HF4684

Keywords: county cost share, economically distressed county, human services finance, substance use disorder treatment, SUD services, civil commitment, state aid, county levy, poverty threshold, tax-exempt acreage, property tax exemption, Minnesota human services, county fiscal relief, local government finance, chemical dependency, behavioral health, PACE, elderly, Medicaid, health services

Transcript Highlights:

• She said she would imagine that if she were... uh need to begin paying taxes, sales uh need to begin
• </c> I'd rather send it to folks that uh need I'd rather send it to folks that uh need the<00:23:47.360
• </c> stewards of our tax dollars and we need stewards of our tax dollars and we need to<00:31:45.279>
• Katina Taylor: Yes. school district budgets need to school district budgets need to understand<00:35:
• We But first, we need to problem.

Bills: HF238, HF3381, HF3754, HF1049

Keywords: microenterprise home kitchen operation, cottage food, home-based food business, home kitchen license, homemade food, prepared food, food entrepreneur, small food business, cottage food law, food safety training, ServSafe, food handler license, agriculture department, Minnesota food law, residential kitchen, local zoning, consumer labeling, allergen labeling, unpasteurized juice, time/temperature control for safety food

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:18:19.360><c> aid</c> navigate college and financial aid navigate college and financial aid systems
• </c> um getting the grants that we might need um getting the grants that we might need each<00:47:01.280
• that need to be met locally.
• when they need it.
• </c><01:14:30.199><c> so</c> that they need when they need it so that they need when they need it so

Bills: HF2090, HF982, HF2229

Keywords: higher education, scholarship, financial aid, state grant, tuition assistance, Pell grants, student retention, education equity, disabled veterans, veterans' dependents, dependent children, college affordability, books and fees, University of Minnesota, public colleges, Office of Higher Education, veterans benefits, military families, permanent disability, 100 percent disability

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, let's get that in order. this uh we you might need you might need this uh we you might need you
• It may exist in other areas, but we didn't base it on that.
• </c><00:31:50.639><c> a</c> with that information I might need a with that information I might need a
• </c> recession um uh the state needed recession um uh the state needed resources<00:53:38.520><c> and
• </c><01:08:37.520><c> has</c> erode the sales tax base has erode the sales tax base has implications<

Bills: HF1833, HF148, HF1127, HF1227, HF1681, HF1974, HF1106, HF1016, HF2197

Keywords: sales tax, education funding, construction, Aitkin Public Schools, tax exemption, refundable credit, HF148, use of force training, deadly force, peace officer training, police training, law enforcement, POST Board, Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training, scenario-based training, de-escalation, defensive tactics, force-on-force training, stress management, officer wellness

Transcript Highlights:

• And it still is, you know, it's still formula based like a lot of our local aids are.
• And it still is, you know, it's still formula based like a lot of our local aids are.
• And it still is, you know, it's still formula based like a lot of our local aids are.
• And it still is, you know, it's still formula based like a lot of our local aids are.
• It's still formula based like a lot of our local aids are.

Bills: HF4561, HF4343

Keywords: homeless prevention aid, homelessness, housing stability, rental assistance, family homelessness, unaccompanied youth, housing navigation, legal representation, family outreach, county aid, Tribal governments, local government aid, general fund appropriation, unspent funds, aid redistribution, sunset repeal, Minnesota property tax aid, services for persons experiencing homelessness, sales tax, use tax

Transcript Highlights:

• and uh at a at a 8 cent base uh 8 cent and uh at a at a 8 cent base uh 8 cent base<00:22:46.640><c> rate
• </c><01:13:12.800><c> we</c><01:13:12.960><c> need</c> we we need more we need more we need we we need
• more we need more we need more<01:13:13.360><c> steel</c><01:13:13.760><c> we</c><01:13:13.920><c> need
• </c> 25% of our demand needs to be flex needs 25% of our demand needs to be flex needs to<01:26:47.760
• </c> this is a needed exemption. this is a needed exemption.

Bills: HF3296, HF3802

Keywords: energy conservation, data centers, electric sales, energy optimization, utility regulations, energy regulation, certificate of need, renewable energy, power production, energy efficiency, Minnesota statutes, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• for a pairing of a continuum of need for a pairing of a continuum of care<00:16:54.079><c> and</c><00
• I mean we know there's a lot of need on I mean we know there's a lot of need on Oahu<00:30:31.160><c>
• organizations or places community based organizations or places that<00:31:12.720><c> have</c><00:31
• </c><00:32:40.480><c> with</c> increasingly complex care needs with increasingly complex care needs with
• SB 3324 SD 1, which is increasing rates for our Medicaid home- and community-based care.

Bills: SB2479, SB2557, SB2861, SB3204, SB3324, SB3325

Keywords: criminal procedure, family violence, dating violence, child abuse, evidence admissibility, reduced sentencing, homelessness, reporting requirements, statewide office, housing solutions, kauhale projects, public oversight, SB2861, Hawaii, Office of Wellness and Resilience, OWR, Department of Human Services, DHS, Kakou Pilot Program, Kakou

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to criminal procedure, homelessness, family resilience, Medicaid-funded services, and school Medicaid reimbursement. On SB 2479 SD2, the Judiciary testified in neutral opposition with concerns that the bill could require imprisonment even for probation-eligible defendants, expand sentence reconsideration in ways that could undermine finality for victims, conflict with existing sentencing statutes, and require additional judicial resources. The Office of the Public Defender supported the bill’s intent but asked for language changes so people serving sentences could raise the new evidence in Rule 40 petitions and so probation would remain available in appropriate felony cases. Written testimony also included opposition from several county prosecutors and police, and support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The chair later deferred SB 2479 SD2, citing unintended consequences and problems with the bill. For SB 2557 SD1, which would require annual reporting by the State Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, the office said it supported the intent but noted it already produces annual and quarterly reports, that some requested data is already available, and that staffing and cost constraints could make the new reporting burdensome. The State Council on Mental Health supported the measure and suggested narrowing the reporting language to data on individuals with serious mental illness or co-occurring behavioral health conditions, to the extent practicable and in collaboration with relevant agencies. A committee member asked about the availability of point-in-time count data, and the office explained that some figures may not be available every year and may need to be generated through HMIS. Dr. Jack Lewin testified in support, saying the data would be useful for understanding health care costs. The committee passed SB 2557 SD1 with amendments, including a deferral of the effective date. The committee also heard SB 2861 SD2 and SB 3204 SD1, both family resilience pilot program measures. For SB 2861 SD2, the Office of Wellness and Resilience and DHS supported the bill but requested amendments to clarify that the office’s role is planning and advisory, that DHS is a key partner, and that federal compliance safeguards are included. The chair raised concerns about overlap with DHS’s existing Ka Ohana program and asked for language to avoid redundancy while allowing the bill to cover other at-risk children; decision-making was deferred to the next hearing. For SB 3204 SD1, which would create a peer-navigator-based family resilience pilot, the Office of Wellness and Resilience and DHS supported the measure, with the office requesting a two-year pilot period, and both agencies and several advocacy groups submitted support. The committee discussed funding, the proposed five peer navigators, and whether the pilot should be limited to one or two geographic areas; no final action was taken in the portion provided. The committee also heard and supported SB 3324 SD1 on Medicaid home and community-based services, with the Department of Health emphasizing caregiver shortages and the cost-effectiveness of community care, and SB 3325 SD1 HD1 on public school Medicaid reimbursement, where DOE and the Attorney General requested clarifying amendments to reporting language and position titles.