Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the executive director of the Arizona Private School Association.
• So all of our schools have approval to operate.
• The bill prohibits a public school from discriminating against or denying access to any patriotic youth
• This bill, 1370, allows, but does not require, public school principals to grant youth groups the opportunity
• School Credit Enhancement Program obligations or outstanding guarantee financing provided by the board

Bills: SB1210, SB1370, SB1422, SB1423

Keywords: private postsecondary education, nondomiciled institutions, tuition recovery fund, accreditation, regulations, patriotic youth groups, public school, civic involvement, educational purpose, discrimination, youth access, credit enhancement eligibility board, school financing, public schools, financing assistance, bonding, debt obligations, guaranteed financings, program sunset, statutory continuation

Summary: The Senate Education Committee considered three bills. SB 1210 would create a separate out-of-state registration process for private post-secondary institutions domiciled outside Arizona that enroll Arizona residents in fully online programs, require certain disclosures and financial protections, and extend student tuition recovery fund protections to those students. Testimony from the Arizona Private School Association supported the bill as closing a regulatory loophole and protecting Arizona students; the committee moved it forward with a due pass recommendation by a 7-0 vote. SB 1370 would allow principals, during the first quarter of the school year, to let eligible patriotic youth groups address students and distribute materials, and would prohibit public schools from discriminating against such groups based on membership criteria or oath requirements. The sponsor’s representative said the bill would allow, not require, access and would expand a list of youth groups that has not been updated since 1978. The committee approved the bill with a due pass recommendation by a 7-0 vote. SB 1422 would continue the Credit Enhancement Eligibility Board until July 1, 2036, with termination tied to the retirement of outstanding obligations, and SB 1423 would continue the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education until July 1, 2036. Both bills were described as continuations of existing programs; WICHE’s president testified in support of SB 1423 and noted the state’s long partnership with the organization. The committee passed both bills with due pass recommendations, each by 7-0 votes, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think this is a good time to talk about this bill, being that it is Public Schools Week.
• you that it is public schools week um you that it is public schools week um you this<00:32:04.720
• schools for 19 years and I am public schools for 19 years and I am here<00:36:48.839> to<00:36
• I agree that spending time in schools and with public safety folks is a best practice.
• <00:51:48.160> folks<00:51:48.559> is schools and with Public Safety folks is schools

Bills: HF550, HF412, HF796, HF140

Keywords: redistricting, Bipartisan Commission, Minnesota Constitution, census, legislative districts, HF412, Minnesota legislature, education committee, K-12 education, school observation, teacher observation, administrator observation, legislative transparency, legislator accountability, House rules, Senate rules, Legislative Reference Library, public reporting, education finance, education policy

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill aims to expand financial assistance to public schools.
• The bill also improves the reimbursement process for school districts.
• So there are a couple of things here for students, teachers, and then school districts.
• The third thing is that school districts that pay for the costs can be reimbursed by applying to the

Bills: HB 1061, HB2800

Keywords: education, teacher certification, cost subsidies, public school funding, career and technology education, reimbursement, subsidy, education funding, student subsidies, cost reimbursements, public school finance, public school, examination fees, apprenticeship, workforce development, career education, high school students, technical education, employment, 1184

Transcript Highlights:

• I hear there are some Albuquerque Public School students in the house. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• I hear there are some Albuquerque Public School students in the house. Would you please stand?
• E, exceptional child means a school-age person whose abilities render regular services of a public school
• Gifted education is always available for private school students, but only available to a public school
• Chair, members of committee, Jamie Gonzalez, Public Charter Schools of New Mexico.

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:

• All over Texas, school boards today are committing leftover bond money to public projects that are either
• Two categories were created: one for everyone except schools, and then in a separate bucket for school
• For school districts, the school board was afforded some discretion in that they could vote in a public
• I just have to say, if we were fully funding our public schools instead of being 44th in the nation..
• Of course, we have. 31 million people in this state, and 5.5 million school students in public schools

Bills: SB414, SB621, SB2395

Keywords: bond election, ballot proposition, debt obligation, municipal bonds, local government finance, property tax, ad valorem tax, school district bonds, county bonds, special taxing district, voter information document, public debt, municipal finance, tax-supported debt, election ballot language, bond transparency, homestead tax impact, capital improvements, general obligation bonds, public bank

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, the public testimony is adjourned. The meeting is now closed.
• At this time, we'll open up public testimony on House Bill 1965. Let's see.
• Hearing none, public testimony is now closed. House Bill 2513 will be left pending.
• At this time, we'll open up public testimony on House Bill 1875.
• Hearing none, public testimony is now closed. House Bill 39 will be left pending.

Bills: HB39, HB114, HB1875, HB1894, HB1965, HB2513, HB39, HB114

Keywords: veterans, mental health, Texas Veterans Commission, peer support, suicide prevention, community mental health, grant program, cemetery, General Land Office, burial plot, remembrance, monthly designation, honoring military, Texas legislation, rural services, paid leave, fire protection personnel, military service, public employees, employment benefits

Bills: HB39, HB114, HB39, HB114, HB1875, HB1894, HB1965, HB2513

Keywords: public school finance, property values, homestead exemptions, funding allocation, education policy, public school bonds, school funding, guarantee prohibition, education finance, state law change, veterans, mental health, Texas Veterans Commission, peer support, suicide prevention, community mental health, grant program, cemetery, General Land Office, burial plot

Transcript Highlights:

• I did put in 32 years in the public schools. Mr. Chairman and Representative, what I go...
• I did put in 32 years in the public schools. Mr. Chairman and Representative, what I go... And, Mr.
• I’m with an out-of-school-time STEM enrichment program working in conjunction with public schools around
• I'm Irish Jane Cadet from Hymus Mountain Public Schools, and I'm a science teacher and systems co-advisor
• School.

Bills: HB40, HB100, HJR1, SB64, SB19, SB44, SB83

Keywords: educational retirement, annuity adjustments, cost of living, non-compounding payments, retirement benefits, STEM funding, education, innovation, public education, New Mexico, nominating committees, boards of regents, student representation, political party registration, New Mexico constitution, special education, office of special education, deputy secretary, public education department, IEP

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, as we back time into that, what we looked at was, okay, we could maybe not make the 2026 school
• And Section 20 is the study on the governance and finance, but predominantly both, but of the three big

Bills: HB1329

Keywords: government spending database, public expenditure transparency, open data, government transparency, school district spending, state spending, local government finance, education finance, budget database, expenditure reporting, salary transparency, benefits data, public records, Legislative Management study, North Dakota, school board training, superintendent, principal, business manager, higher education spending

Summary: The division first discussed Senate Bill 1540 and related amendments involving implementation mechanics, procurement exemptions, and an emergency clause. Bank of North Dakota representatives explained that, based on a timeline review with DPI, the project would be very difficult to implement for the 2026-27 school year without exemptions from state purchasing and IT oversight rules and without an emergency clause; they said the normal procurement process could take about 240 days and that a 15-month implementation window would likely push the start to 2027-28 if those changes were not adopted. Members also raised a separate policy question about a criminal penalty placeholder in the bill, and the committee agreed that the sentence was unnecessary and should be removed. The committee deferred means-testing questions and fiscal-note issues to the next morning, with the understanding that the bill would be drafted in a way that made it workable if it advanced. The committee then turned to the water budget bill and reviewed the latest amended version, which included changes to the Water Topics process, Southwest Pipeline line of credit provisions, Red River supply funding, Mouse River project amounts, general water funding, studies on Missouri River intakes and water governance/finance, and a carryover/transfer adjustment. Chris Cattermas of the Department of Water Resources said most of the carryover funds were already obligated, with the largest unobligated amount in flood control. After review, Senator Thomas moved a do-pass recommendation on the bill as amended, the motion was seconded, and the committee approved it unanimously. The chair noted that other bills would be taken up the next morning, including 1013, 1014, and 1540.

Transcript Highlights:

• Every school, we have, you know, 168 school districts. They're all unique. They all have their own.
• Every school, we have, you know, 168 school districts. They're all unique.
• Chairman Sorvaag, Adam Tesher, School Finance Officer, Department of Public Instruction.
• Chairman Sorvaag, Senator Shively, Adam Tesher, School Finance Officer, DPI.
• Chairman Sorvaag, Senator Shively, Adam Tesher, School Finance Officer, DPI.

Bills: HB1329

Keywords: government spending database, public expenditure transparency, open data, government transparency, school district spending, state spending, local government finance, education finance, budget database, expenditure reporting, salary transparency, benefits data, public records, Legislative Management study, North Dakota, school board training, superintendent, principal, business manager, higher education spending

Summary: The Education Division met with all members present and first took up House Bill 1329, which would create a transparency database and website for school spending information. Senator Schaible offered Amendment 0204 to turn the bill into a study, citing concerns that the proposal would impose major data-collection burdens on 168 school districts, require new data standards and privacy protections, and likely cost far more than the $500,000 in the bill. Several members supported transparency but agreed the implementation costs and technical feasibility were unclear. The committee adopted the amendment 4-1, then passed HB 1329 as amended on a 5-0 vote, with Senator Shively to carry the bill. The committee then discussed House Bill 1540, the education savings account/voucher bill. Representatives from the Bank of North Dakota and the Department of Public Instruction explained that they had not been consulted on the original drafting and outlined needed administrative changes, including clarifying the Bank as administrator, using a third-party program manager, involving DPI in rulemaking, adding audit and appeal procedures, and adjusting language on eligible purchases and school disqualification. They also said the current timeline was likely too aggressive to launch by the 2026-27 school year and estimated the program would require about 15 months to implement, with a fiscal note now around $5.1 million. Members also discussed policy-related amendments on means testing and application timing. Senator Shively proposed a 300% of poverty-level means test and a sign-up period to reduce costs and limit open-ended enrollment, while Senator Axman proposed a tiered approach that would keep all students technically eligible but phase in funding levels by income, preserving access for students who qualify for other federal supports. DPI said it could not currently disaggregate some data by family income and that the appeal process and procurement timeline still needed work. The committee did not move HB 1540 out that morning and instead recessed to continue discussion later after members had time to review the administrative and fiscal issues separately from the means-testing proposals.

Transcript Highlights:

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

Bills: HF3220

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Those who wish to electronically submit comments may refer to the public notice posting.
• It will help the industry ultimately, and it will help the public and and safety.
• And spoken to this in public settings as well.
• But there are over 7000 public water systems here in Texas.
• Public water, sewer, and storm, not private.

Bills: HB206

Keywords: HB206, school district bonds, bond election, voter approval, Education Code, Chapter 45, Section 45.003, Section 45.0034, Texas schools, school finance, local tax election, bond referendum, school construction, capital improvements, election frequency, five-year waiting period, district bonds, public school funding

Transcript Highlights:

• That's 200 or 2,000 public schools, 200 charter schools, um, our tribal schools as well, our intermediate
• That's 200 or 2,000 public schools,<00:07:58.879> 200<00:07:59.360> charter<00:07:59.759
• > schools,<00:08:00.879> um,<00:08:01.039> our schools, 200 charter schools, um,
• our schools, 200 charter schools, um, our tribal<00:08:01.680> schools<00:08:02.080> as
• because it is a public um a public asset because it is a public um a public asset we<00:25:27.120

Bills: HF3220

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

Transcript Highlights:

• and now I coach in high school.
• Empower School is a digital platform that all of our schools in the state are using. Yes, sir.
• So this comes at the request of the charter school folks. request of the charter school folks.
• like some financing."
• Sessions, my question would be, this um, on the charter schools, would this cover cyber schools?

Bills: HB315, HB152, HB205, SB184, SB209, HB309, SB280, SB267

Keywords: sales tax, local exemption, Consumer Price Index, tax holiday, clothing tax exemption, school supplies, sales tax exemption, baby supplies, baby formula, maternity clothing, menstrual hygiene products, use tax, exemption, tax conformity, tangible personal property, Alabama Department of Revenue, retail tax, consumer use tax, nonresident, religious publications

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, first I'm going to talk about the school trust endowment, what the endowment is for public education
• Uh this year or last year we added it uh $58 million that goes out to all school districts, public school
• <00:04:56.560> districts,<00:04:57.199> public<00:04:57.520> school to all school
• districts, public school to all school districts, public school districts<00:04:58.080> in<00
• I am the beneficiary of a trust fund, and so is every student in a public school in the state.

Bills: HF3900

Keywords: permanent school fund, school endowment fund, Minnesota constitutional amendment, school aid, public school funding, State Board of Investment, investment income, distributable amount, school districts, property taxes, income taxes, voter approval, ballot question, constitutional amendment 2026, education finance, fund perpetuity, purchasing power, trust lands, swamp lands, internal improvement land fund

Transcript Highlights:

• It's just a public school requirement at this point. But are charter schools public schools?
• There's a perfectly good public education, public elementary school, middle school, whatever.
• Back to public school and they're behind.
• That's not a requirement on public schools. We're not applying that to public schools.
• across 5.4 million public school students.

Bills: HB2

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, are you aware if we're going to try to make parity between the two public schools, public charter
• My kids attend an exceptional public school.
• ..taking a school bus on a field trip or using public transit.
• Let's give them true choice by funding our public schools so they can choose the public school that has
• My name is Judith Kaplan, and I'm a... ...hired public school teacher and public school librarian.

Bills: HB2

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Since 2020, numerous school districts have adopted a four-day school week or a hybrid school schedule
• My only question is, does this apply to public charter schools?
• Okay, so the restrictions that we're putting on larger public school districts will also apply to public
• I'm not sure public charter schools are included in that.
• school weeks.

Bills: HB 1209, HB4746

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

Bills: HB 4, HB 1, HB 2, HB 18, HB 19, HB 20

Keywords: appropriations, funding, budget, state finance, public services, public education, teacher compensation, certification, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services, financial stability

Bills: HB 4, HB 1, HB 2, HB 18, HB 19, HB 20

Keywords: appropriations, funding, budget, state finance, public services, public education, teacher compensation, certification, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services, financial stability