Transcript Highlights:

• She said 55% of students are students of color, 48% receive need-based financial aid in eligible programs
• The colleges employ over 10,500 faculty by headcount to teach these students.
• And job instability for contingent faculty does impact student success and retention.
• There are definite impacts in student success. And so I think we all can talk about that.
• There are definite impacts in student success. Well, thank you so much.

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:

• Students.
• school being 165 students.
• We are a K-8 school serving 350 students. students. 97% of our students are students of color.
• , students with disabilities, and students in rural areas.
• The students love Mr. Todd.

Bills: HF1388

Keywords: BARR Center, Building Assets, Reducing Risks, education finance, school funding, grant appropriation, evidence-based program, student achievement, social and emotional learning, school climate, teacher effectiveness, high school graduation, students in poverty, students of color, BIPOC, equity in education, Minnesota Department of Education, urban schools, suburban schools, rural schools, school coaching

Transcript Highlights:

• Our student population is students.
• We are a K-8 school serving 315 students. 97% of our students are students of color.
• Over 90% students are students of color.
• , students with disabilities, and students in rural areas.
• to help make our more pair professionals to help make our students<01:20:51.960><c> successful.

Bills: HF1388

Keywords: BARR Center, Building Assets, Reducing Risks, education finance, school funding, grant appropriation, evidence-based program, student achievement, social and emotional learning, school climate, teacher effectiveness, high school graduation, students in poverty, students of color, BIPOC, equity in education, Minnesota Department of Education, urban schools, suburban schools, rural schools, school coaching

Transcript Highlights:

• that would allow respiratory therapists to practice under the direction of an advanced practice professional
• Favorable report. the direction of an advanced practice the direction of an advanced practice professional
• > which</c><00:07:22.720><c> includes</c><00:07:23.199><c> PAS,</c><00:07:24.080><c> CRNPs</c> professional
• which includes PAS, CRNPs professional which includes PAS, CRNPs and<00:07:26.080><c> CRNAs</c><00:07
• which includes PA, CRNPs professional which includes PA, CRNPs and<00:07:55.759><c> CRNAs</c><00:07:

Bills: HB299, HB533, HB299, HB533

Keywords: court costs, Choctaw County, jail funding, municipal court, criminal proceedings, education funding, student outcomes, K-12 education, RAISE Act, accountability, special education, English language learners, local education agency, respiratory therapy, respiratory therapist, respiratory care, licensure, licensing board, advanced practice provider, nurse practitioner

Transcript Highlights:

• So this was an oversight, and we all know because we were good first-semester students, that amendments
• take one— And we all know, because we were good first-semester students, that amendments take one day
• So there are students that we can mentor and act as graduate advisors for some of those students.
• So we do mentor and advise students as part of the university, and so we are kind of intimately also
• Students as part of the university.

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 students simply sit at a computer to take an assessment, teachers can't understand if a student
• When students simply sit at a computer to take an assessment, teachers can't understand if a student
• Early intervention is key to student success.
• and the students to get accomplished.
• What happens to that student?

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:

• Members, as we started last year, trying to recognize students who are doing great.
• Things across the state, and we've got a group of students to my left, to your right, over here.
• These are high-achieving college students from around the state, representing probably Institutions that
• Really, my question is just around Students who would fall into that specialized category.
• I'm like, 'That's probably X amount of classrooms, X amount of students.'

Bills: SB1726, SB1236, SB1633, SB1413, SB1317, SB1360, SB1342, SB1477, SB1189, SB1546, SB1524, SB1338, SB1193, SB1812, SB1617

Keywords: higher education, graduate instructors, training program, academic integrity, First Amendment rights, administrative reporting, education, consolidation, board, public schools, resident tuition, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, state scholarships, financial aid, immigration status, undocumented students, noncitizen students, lawfully present, postsecondary education benefits, college tuition

Transcript Highlights:

• , but not to graduate students and professionals, it didn't make sense to me.
• professional students at the University of Washington.
• professional students at the University of Washington.
• Graduate and professional students are more than students.
• I serve as the president for the Graduate and Professional Student Association.

Bills: HB1873, HB2600, SB5957

Keywords: child care, Working Connections Child Care, WCCC, graduate students, professional students, higher education, full-time student, affordable child care, subsidized child care, child care subsidy, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, DCYF, income eligibility, state median income, copayment, copay waiver, family support, workforce participation, working families, special needs child care

Summary: The House Early Learning & Human Services Committee held public hearings on House Bill 1873, which would expand Working Connections Child Care eligibility to full-time graduate and professional students with household income at or below 85% of state median income. Staff explained the bill and its copay rules, and Rep. Janice Zahn said the measure would help student parents avoid choosing between graduate school and child care. Student advocates from the University of Washington and Washington State University testified in strong support, describing high child care costs, stipend limitations, and the impact of child care on degree completion and workforce entry. Some members raised questions about likely uptake, cost, and return on investment, and the sponsor said she hoped to gather more data for future versions of the bill. The committee also heard House Bill 2600, which would require DSHS to update the supported living cost report template and convene a work group to develop Medicaid rate recommendations aimed at improving direct support professional wages. Supporters, including SEIU 775 and several direct support professionals, said the bill would add transparency and help ensure state funding reaches frontline workers, citing low wages and high turnover. Opponents from provider organizations argued the current cost report is already detailed and transparent, and warned the bill would add administrative burden and costs without addressing the underlying funding gap. No vote was taken on either House bill during the hearing. In executive session, the committee advanced three Senate bills. It adopted a striking amendment and passed Substitute Senate Bill 5911, which limits DCYF’s use of extended foster care funds and raises the threshold for conserving client funds, by a 9-1 vote. It then passed Senate Bill 5957, expanding the Homeless Youth Advisory Committee, by a 10-0 vote, and passed Substitute Senate Bill 6184, updating Office of Homeless Youth programs and language, by a 7-3 vote. The meeting ended with an interim planning discussion in which members raised priorities including critical incidents and imminent risk definitions, juvenile justice and rehabilitation, homelessness, developmental disabilities, child care funding, and possible committee tours and stakeholder roundtables during the interim.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the result of our commission that we had regarding student-based funding and you.
• Regarding student-based funding, you all participated in that process, and the determination from this
• committee and the house committee was to pursue a hybrid type formula for student-based funding.
• And Formula for student-based funding.
• We start doing our Raise Act or our student weighted funding act steadily increasing each year out of

Bills: SB305, SB109, SB122, SB111, SB114, SB113, SB150, SB112, SB289, SB303

Keywords: education funding, RAISE Act, student outcomes, public schools, local education agencies, accountability, weighted allocations, special education, English language learners, gifted students, Tuskegee University, Alabama Education Trust Fund, appropriation, agricultural research, Southern Preparatory Academy, fiscal responsibility, financial reporting, Education Savings Accounts, RAISE Fund, CHOOSE Act Fund

Transcript Highlights:

• Studies for K through 5 children, students, right? Um, thank you, Senator Davis.
• SB 206 on students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
• very best education, that they are trained to deal with students with autism.
• And we have to give every student an opportunity to be successful.
• Students. And that is the bill, Mr. Chair. There is an amendment, Mr. Chair.

Bills: S0206, S0420, S0556

Keywords: autism, autism spectrum disorder, ASD, special education, exceptional student education, ESE, teacher preparation, educator certification, micro-credential, loan forgiveness, student loan repayment, teacher stipend, salary supplement, professional development, inclusive education, developmental disabilities, Down syndrome, behavioral disabilities, school district compensation, collective bargaining

Summary: The committee first heard SB 420, which would require portraits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln to be prominently displayed in classrooms used for social studies and in all K-5 classrooms, with the Department of Education selecting the portraits. Senator Burgess framed the bill as a patriotic and educational measure tied to America’s 250th anniversary, while Senator Davis raised concerns about exclusivity, political precedent, and state intrusion into local classroom decisions. Senator Osgood and others asked about sensitivity to diverse student populations and whether additional figures such as Harriet Tubman could also be displayed. Burgess said the bill would not prevent other displays, emphasized the two presidents’ historical significance, and committed to funding support so the mandate would not burden districts. The committee voted the bill favorably. The committee then took up CS/SB 206 on autism education and teacher preparation. Senator Harrell’s strike-all amendment required teacher preparation programs to include autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities, required ESE-certified teachers to complete an autism microcredential, created an autism loan forgiveness program and salary supplement provisions, and directed district professional development to include autism-specific training with local CARD centers. A second amendment removed a proposed change to the legal definition of autism so that issue could be handled separately. Senators Davis and Osgood asked about implementation timelines, grandfathering current teachers, and how the bill would affect educators already working in autism classrooms; Harrell said he was open to further discussion and wanted to ensure flexibility while still requiring the credential. Public testimony included support from Orange County Public Schools, a parent of children with autism, and others. The committee adopted the amendments and reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee heard CS/SB 556, which allows students with disabilities to satisfy the high school physical education requirement by participating in Special Olympics for one year if included in the student’s IEP. An amendment also clarified that two years of marching band satisfies both the PE credit and a fine or performing arts credit. Supporters said the bill expands inclusive options and reduces administrative burdens, and Senator Yarborough praised the change as giving students more flexibility. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee also took up confirmation votes for appointments in tabs 4 through 7 and recommended all of them favorably by a single roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• about maybe having cooperatives for purchasing that may even be able to extend to some of the professional

Bills: SB48, SB64, SB100

Keywords: State Fairgrounds District, fairgrounds bonds, public financing, bond authorization, gross receipts tax, gaming tax, tax-backed bonds, infrastructure funding, Albuquerque fairgrounds, State Fair Tid, economic development, municipal bonds, revenue pledge, capital projects, New Mexico finance, special education, office of special education, deputy secretary, public education department, IEP

Transcript Highlights:

• The students with disabilities are part of the Yazi Martinez.
• It is designed to continue to help our special ed students, teachers, and parents.
• ed student.
• And our special education students have been able to have less issues over the last three years.
• You don't give IEPs unless you've been certified as a special education student.

Bills: SB48, SB64, SB100

Keywords: State Fairgrounds District, fairgrounds bonds, public financing, bond authorization, gross receipts tax, gaming tax, tax-backed bonds, infrastructure funding, Albuquerque fairgrounds, State Fair Tid, economic development, municipal bonds, revenue pledge, capital projects, New Mexico finance, special education, office of special education, deputy secretary, public education department, IEP

Transcript Highlights:

• school students.
• I just spoke with a former student from your community. ...I just spoke with a former student from your
• She is a second-year student at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine and a medical student representative
• She is a student at the University of New Mexico.
• She is a student at the University of New Mexico.

Bills: HM3, HM11, HM14, HM15, HM18, HM21, HB10, HB11, HB12, HB13, HB14, HB31, HB50

Keywords: nurses, health care workers, healthcare workers, frontline workers, hospital staff, clinicians, allied health professionals, support staff, public health, workforce shortage, nursing shortage, safe staffing, patient safety, rural health care, frontier communities, behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder, substance abuse, health care memorial

Bills: HB2, SB48, SB64, SB100

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, State Fairgrounds District, fairgrounds bonds, public financing, bond authorization, gross receipts tax, gaming tax, tax-backed bonds, infrastructure funding, Albuquerque fairgrounds, State Fair Tid, economic development, municipal bonds, revenue pledge, capital projects, New Mexico finance

Transcript Highlights:

• From a professional perspective, I can speak to the impact inconsistent school start dates have on students
• I'm an educator with 20 years of experience supporting undocumented students and professionals.
• students.
• It turns hard-working students into professionals and taxpayers who strengthen Texas' economy.
• For 14 years, I have dedicated my professional life to guiding students towards their futures as a teacher

Bills: SB1798, SB1835, SB1319, SB2942, SB2928, SB784, SB1049

Keywords: higher education, tuition rates, financial support, immigration status, Texas law, SB 1835, resident tuition, nonresident students, scholarship students, public higher education, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Education Code Section 54.213, tuition waiver, in-state tuition, out-of-state students, higher education finance, enrollment cap, capacity limit, workforce development area, nonimmigrant visa

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> identity software, the ghost student identity software, the ghost student issue<00:07:55.480><c>
• And so, I think, frankly, this is just an opportunity for those students, the students at St.
• </c> and moderate income students. Thank you. and moderate income students. Thank you.
• </c> students. Thank you. students. Thank you. Thank<01:39:10.719><c> you.
• </c> those students are going to be impacted. those students are going to be impacted.

Bills: HF4252

Keywords: higher education, student aid, financial aid, grant programs, scholarships, Office of Higher Education, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, community college, technical college, postsecondary institution, college affordability, student fees, athletic facilities, competitive athletics, developmental education, remedial courses, pregnant students, parenting students, priority registration

Transcript Highlights:

• I, too, have two students with me today: Jake Robinson, who is a fifth grader.
• I also have two students from the Montessori of the Rio Grande. And the first is Rosie Archuleta.
• I'd like to introduce my guests slash students slash future leaders of this state.
• I too have two incredible students in the fifth grade.
• real-world relevance, encouraging students to grow as scholars, leaders, and critical thinkers.

Bills: HM3, HM11, HM14, HM15, HM21

Keywords: nurses, health care workers, healthcare workers, frontline workers, hospital staff, clinicians, allied health professionals, support staff, public health, workforce shortage, nursing shortage, safe staffing, patient safety, rural health care, frontier communities, behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder, substance abuse, health care memorial

Transcript Highlights:

• to the student?
• We seek. meet students where they are, help them to succeed and over perform on professional certifications
• But we see that students in the.
• That's college age students.
• Students experiencing homelessness face unique challenges that other students their age rarely have to

Bills: HB1784, HB2088, HB3062, HB3475, HB3741, HB4279, HB4763, HB5154, HB5294, HB5508, SB1401, HB232, HB232

Keywords: students, homeless, foster care, higher education, liaison officer, housing assistance, transition support, law school, Rio Grande Valley, legal education, public university, accreditation, fentanyl prevention, drug poisoning awareness, mental health resources, substance abuse education, El Paso, university system, funding, public education

Transcript Highlights:

• I do have some students from Silver City. Can you please stand there? Please welcome my students.
• Exceptional student is a student with disabilities as well as a student in gifted education.
• populations: low-income students, students with disabilities... ...for specific student populations,
• students.
• of these other students.

Bills: SB64, SB19, SB44, SB83

Keywords: special education, office of special education, deputy secretary, public education department, IEP, individualized education program, students with disabilities, IDEA, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, dyslexia, dyslexia screening, structured literacy, reading intervention, multilayered system of supports, MTSS, student assistance team, free appropriate public education, FAPE, special education compliance, charter schools

Transcript Highlights:

• Title VI is vital for our Indian students.
• Within my school district, there are 1,900 Indian students out of 25,754 total students enrolled in Edmond
• Public schools that serve Native American students and all students impacted by federal lands face significant
• , but also the non-native students within these schools.
• And when we did an evaluation of those students at the end of the year, we found that Native students

Keywords: Native education, Department of Education, federal funding, testimony, treaty obligations, public schools, educational policies, Indigenous students

Summary: The meeting focused on the responsibilities of the U.S. Department of Education towards Native students, highlighting the importance of federal education programs that satisfy treaty obligations to Native communities. Various witnesses testified about the impact of educational policies designed to support Native students who primarily attend public schools. Concerns were voiced over recent proposals that could potentially undermine these programs, citing the role of federal funding in ensuring successful educational outcomes for Native youth. The chair of the committee emphasized the need for continued federal support and attention to the unique educational challenges faced by Indigenous populations.