Transcript Highlights:

• Our school implemented a policy requiring students to store their phones in classroom phone pockets during
• I am here in support of limiting phone usage in public schools.
• During my junior year of high school, they implemented a phone ban.
• Cell-free phone schools should never be an objective.
• One thing we've seen that works is banning cell phones for schools.

Bills: SB6192, SB6206, SB5346, SB6125, SB5841, SB5907, SB5951

Keywords: education, reading, mathematics, student intervention, instruction, academic standards, child care, first responders, incentives, pilot program, mobile phones, cell phones, smartphones, school phones, classroom distraction, digital citizenship, media literacy, internet safety, cyberbullying, student mental health

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several education-related bills. Senate Bill 6192 would require structured literacy and numeracy programs, add math interventions similar to the existing third-grade reading “gate,” create annual STAR teacher bonuses for selected math and ELA teachers, and revise literacy endorsement standards. The prime sponsor said the bill is intended to refocus schools on core academics and use research-based instruction, while OSPI and ESD representatives supported the goal but raised implementation concerns about data access and the teacher award process. Testimony was mixed: some parents and students said the bill could help struggling readers and math students, while others, including WEA and several witnesses, opposed merit pay, grade retention, and what they viewed as overreliance on standardized testing or a single reading approach. Senate Bill 6206 would create a Commerce-run pilot program to incentivize child care providers serving children of first responders, especially during nonstandard hours, on short notice, and when children are ill. The sponsor and multiple law enforcement, dispatch, and labor witnesses described child care as a major barrier to recruitment and retention, particularly for women and shift workers. Committee questions focused on how the proposal would relate to existing DCYF child care subsidies and nonstandard-hours bonuses, and whether Commerce was the right agency to administer the program. Testimony was strongly supportive overall. Senate Bill 5346 would direct OSPI to incorporate mobile device use into digital citizenship instruction and report on school phone policies and barriers, with final recommendations due in 2028. Supporters, including students, parents, educators, and researchers, said phones distract from learning, contribute to social and mental health problems, and can be addressed through bell-to-bell restrictions. Opponents argued that local school boards should decide policy, that phones can be important for safety, communication, and medical needs, and that the bill was too vague. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6125, which would stabilize school funding for districts, charter schools, and tribal compact schools if enrollment-based state revenue falls below prior-year levels; the sponsor and witnesses said it would provide short-term stability amid declining enrollment and budget uncertainty. The committee then moved into executive session on Senate Bill 5841, which would require evidence of a financial aid application in high school and beyond plans.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first bill for our consideration today is going to be Senate File 35, School District Cell Phone
• Um, this bill, Senate File 35, School District Cell Phone and Smartwatch Policies, um, it kind of ties
• and use of cell phones and smartwatches in schools.
• File 35, School District Cell Phone<00:02:04.159><c> and</c><00:02:04.399><c> Smart</c><00:02:04.799
• and use of cell phones and smartwatches in<00:03:15.360><c> schools.

Bills: SF0035, SF0090, SF0072

Keywords: education, cell phones, smart devices, school policy, student conduct, school property, rental fees, youth activities, education policy, Wyoming legislature, teacher licensure, teacher mobility, interstate compact, education compact, licensure reciprocity, reciprocal certification, teacher certification, professional teaching standards board, out-of-state teachers, military spouse

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> people including school district people. people including school district people.
• at school.
• </c> daughter was transitioning at school. daughter was transitioning at school.
• school functioning.
• </c> schools exist to educate children. schools exist to educate children.

Bills: SF0035, SF0090, SF0072

Keywords: education, cell phones, smart devices, school policy, student conduct, school property, rental fees, youth activities, education policy, Wyoming legislature, teacher licensure, teacher mobility, interstate compact, education compact, licensure reciprocity, reciprocal certification, teacher certification, professional teaching standards board, out-of-state teachers, military spouse

Transcript Highlights:

• Turning to the bill before you today, this bill requires school districts, charter schools, and state
• graduate from high school.
• I was a public school teacher.
• I'm still in high school.
• their Every school district in the state to implement a bell-to-bell cell phone policy that is tailored

Bills: SB5849, SB6278, SB6130, SB6222, SB6206, SB6260, SB5346, SB6263, SB6268, SB6247

Keywords: financial education, graduation requirement, student curriculum, financial literacy, education reform, teacher preparation, principal preparation, educator preparation, alternative route certification, teacher certification, principal certification, Washington Professional Educator Standards Board, PESB, field placement, student teacher, residency, mentoring, school district partnerships, K-12 education, preK-12

Summary: The committee held a hearing on Senate Bill 5849, which would require school districts, charter schools, and state tribal education compact schools to provide financial education instruction and make meeting state financial education learning standards a high school graduation requirement beginning with the class of 2033, with instruction starting in the 2029-30 school year. Staff explained the bill’s relationship to existing graduation requirements, the State Board of Education’s role in recommending implementation details, and a fiscal note showing about $201,000 in state costs over four years, with additional indeterminate district costs. Members asked about how the requirement would fit different school schedules, whether teacher preparation and clock-hour training would be addressed, and whether the content would be standalone or could be embedded in other courses. The bill’s sponsor and supporters said it should be flexible, aligned with Future Ready work, and responsive to modern financial needs; opponents from school directors’ groups argued districts are already overburdened and warned against adding another unfunded mandate. Testimony on SB 5849 was overwhelmingly supportive from students, educators, nonprofits, bankers, and business representatives. Supporters said many students graduate without basic knowledge of budgeting, credit, loans, taxes, investing, or W-2 forms, and described personal experiences showing the need for required instruction. Several speakers emphasized that the bill should allow multiple pathways to meet the standard rather than requiring a standalone class, so districts would not have to cut electives. Opponents acknowledged the value of financial literacy but said schools lack time and funding to add requirements. The committee then moved into executive session on several other bills. In executive action, the committee advanced Senate Bill 6278, which sets requirements for the Professional Educator Standards Board’s review of teacher preparation programs; Senate Bill 613, directing high schools to observe National Voter Registration Day and hold a registration event; Senate Bill 6222, allowing surplus school technology to be sold or given to students, with priority for low-income students; and Senate Bill 6206, creating a child care pilot for first responders. It also considered a second packet of bills and adopted substitutes before moving forward: SB 6260 on school bus depreciation and Running Start/MSOC adjustments was referred to Ways and Means; SB 5346 on digital citizenship and student mobile device use was given a due pass recommendation; SB 6263 on school district bid thresholds was sent to Rules; SB 6268 on public access to special education complaint decisions was sent to Rules; and SB 6247 on financial oversight and distress support for school districts was amended and sent to Ways and Means. The committee approved the relevant proposed substitutes and bills by voice vote, with no recorded opposition noted in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Charter schools are public schools.
• Charter schools are public schools.
• Charter schools are public schools.
• For all school districts in charter schools.
• ><c> school</c> retain school counselors, school retain school counselors, school psychologists,<01:35

Bills: HF3653, HF2717, HF3451, HF3857

Keywords: education finance, safe schools revenue, school safety, charter schools, funding, safe schools, school security, school levy, pupil units, safe schools aid, cooperative units, intermediate school district, school resource officer, peace officer liaison, sheriff liaison, drug abuse prevention, gang resistance education, violence prevention, suicide prevention, mental health services

Summary: The committee first adopted the March 3rd minutes by voice vote after Representative Lee moved them and there was no discussion. Members then reviewed hearing rules on decorum, safety, and participation before taking testimony from Dr. James Densley and Dr. Jillian Peterson of the Violence Prevention Project Research Center at Hamline University. The presenters summarized research on mass shootings and K-12 school shootings, drawing on a database of homicides in school settings from 2000 to 2025 and a smaller set of 15 K-12 mass shooting cases. They said school shooters are usually insiders, most often current or former students, and typically young males. They described common patterns including a noticeable crisis before attacks, perpetrators viewing the shooting as a final act, studying prior shooters online, and “leakage” in which most tell someone in advance. They also emphasized that many perpetrators use unsecured firearms from family members and argued that prevention should combine reporting systems, behavioral threat assessment, counseling, mentoring, secure storage, and other layered interventions rather than rely on a single solution. The presenters also discussed broader violence trends in the Twin Cities, saying much school violence is spillover from community violence and that pandemic-era disruptions and weakened trust in institutions contributed to serious violence. They cited a national survey finding that exposure to gun violence is associated with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and fear of public spaces, especially among young people. During member questions, Representative Wam asked for clarification on the data set and the rural/small-town share of the survey sample.

Transcript Highlights:

• elementary schools.
• Prior to that, I spent 19 years as a high school principal at Hopeville High School, Wumpa High School
• , and Pratt High School.
• schools.
• schools.

Bills: HB332, HB166, SB336, HB447, HB244

Keywords: computer science, K-12 education, public schools, graduation requirement, digital literacy, coding, programming, STEM, artificial intelligence, AI, computational thinking, technology education, computer literacy, high school credit, middle school, elementary school, teacher training, professional development, distance learning, virtual school

Transcript Highlights:

• Since 2020, numerous school districts have adopted a four-day school week or a hybrid school schedule
• As a result, I filed HB1209. time, to prohibit schools from adopting a four-day school week with some
• fewer, meaning rural, smaller school districts will be unaffected. and can maintain a four-day school
• charter schools.
• 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

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:

• school that is returned from the Recovery School District back to the local school district.
• school board for the school board to oversee that.
• school board for the school board to oversee that.
• a school.
• And we did some in schools with school resource officers.

Bills: HB256, HB272, HB350, HB363, HB386, HB434, HB445, HB690

Keywords: mandatory reporting, school employees, child protection, training requirements, Department of Children and Family Services, education, reading program, student eligibility, literacy, school performance, R.E.A.D. program, book distribution, École Pointe-au-Chien, French immersion, public school, Terrebonne Parish, grade levels, independent school, virtual school, extracurricular activities

Transcript Highlights:

• On August 14th of last year, a Houston Independent School District middle school.
• I'm a school nurse and the executive director of the Texas School Nurses Organization.
• on school district matters.
• Within their school district.
• Not necessarily a school address, right, compared to another school address, but a person’s school at

Bills: SB2920, SB2929, SB2398, SB865, SB401, SB2619, SB2927, SB1395, SB1972, SB2540, SB1635, SB1581, SB2008

Keywords: steroids, student athletes, athletic competition, University Interscholastic League, medical purpose, gender transition, school athletics, spectator conduct, referees, ejection policy, extracurricular activities, concussion, brain injury, school policy, academic accommodations, student welfare, cardiac arrest, emergency response, CPR training, automated external defibrillators

Transcript Highlights:

• current school finance formula.
• It prohibits school districts from opening new campuses within 1,500 feet of a school.
• property or at school-sponsored or school-related events.
• other schools in that district.
• Every school district must openly post information about who's serving on its school board so parents

Bills: SB2920, SB2929, SB2398, SB865, SB401, SB2619, SB2927, SB1395, SB1972, SB2540, SB1635, SB1581, SB2008

Keywords: steroids, student athletes, athletic competition, University Interscholastic League, medical purpose, gender transition, school athletics, spectator conduct, referees, ejection policy, extracurricular activities, concussion, brain injury, school policy, academic accommodations, student welfare, cardiac arrest, emergency response, CPR training, automated external defibrillators

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> at all of our uh, elementary schools. at all of our uh, elementary schools.
• </c> every school to have that opportunity. every school to have that opportunity.
• That's 200 or 2,000 public schools, 200 charter schools, um, our tribal schools as well, our intermediate
• ><c> schools,</c><00:08:00.879><c> um,</c><00:08:01.039><c> our</c> schools, 200 charter schools, um,
• our schools, 200 charter schools, um, our tribal<00:08:01.680><c> schools</c><00:08:02.080><c> as</c

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:

• in</c> Day these two School par school years in Day these two School par school years in particular<
• Um, there are elementary school kids that go to school other than just high school students.
• There are elementary school kids that go to school other than just high school students.
• I actually attended an all-year-round school as a child, and so our school, my high school, did start
• I actually attended an all-year-round school as a child, and so our school, my high school, did start

Bills: HF1124, HF1457, HF1803

Keywords: school calendar, education, school year, Labor Day, state law, school construction, landfill, dump site, closed landfill, contaminated site, pollution control agency, school siting, public school, charter school, environmental health, student safety, brownfield, solid waste, waste disposal site, site contamination

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:47:15.200><c> independent</c><00:47:15.720><c> school</c> charter school, independent school
• . school. school.
• Some schools do.
• So what percent of schools, and where are those schools?
• . schools. schools.

Bills: HB1890, HB1888, HB1676

Keywords: teacher pay, teacher salaries, salary step increase, annual increment, longevity step, public school teachers, public charter school teachers, collective bargaining, Hawaii Department of Education, teacher retention, teacher recruitment, cost of living, educator compensation, public employee bargaining, appropriation, salary schedule, school staffing, teacher shortage, HB1888, Hawaii

Summary: The committees heard three measures, beginning with HB 1890 HD3, which would provide automatic step increases and a COVID-era retention bonus for teachers. Supporters included HSTA, the Democratic Party’s Education Caucus, and a student who said higher pay and predictable salary growth would help retain teachers in Hawaii. The Department of Education supported the intent but asked that the bill be expanded to cover all department employees. The Attorney General’s office said the draft needed clarification to avoid conflict with Chapter 89 and to make clear any funding was subject to legislative appropriation. The Office of the Public Defender and B&F testified in opposition, and committee members questioned whether the step increases were already in the current contract and whether the bill was needed. HSTA said the current contract includes automatic step increases subject to funding, but argued the bill was still needed because funding is not guaranteed and the measure would codify the policy. HSTA also said the COVID bonus would apply only to active teachers who worked during the pandemic and estimated the total cost at roughly $150 million to $200 million over four years. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up HB 1888 HD3, which would require DOE and charter schools to report harassment incidents and strengthen penalties for harassment of educational workers from a petty misdemeanor to a misdemeanor. DOE supported the bill and suggested narrowing language about assisting workers with temporary restraining orders, saying that function would be better handled through the Attorney General’s pilot program. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing the harassment language was overly broad, vague, and potentially unconstitutional, and that existing assault and terroristic threatening statutes already protect educational workers. HSTA, the State Commission on the Status of Women, and several individual testifiers supported the measure, describing increased intimidation and harassment of teachers and other school staff, especially since COVID. The Special Education Advisory Council opposed the bill’s language on “disrupting and interfering” with school functions, saying it could chill parents of students with IEPs from advocating for their children. Testimony was split, with the chair noting 20 in support and 16 in opposition in the portion shown. A final witness, Michelle Pestana, testified in opposition based on her family’s experience with special education services, describing alleged seclusion and restraint of her daughter and expressing concern that DOE testimony in prior hearings had targeted special education parents. Her remarks were cut off as time expired. The transcript ends before any committee action or vote on HB 1888 was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• public schools.
• school, or charter schools.
• This applies to all Texas school districts and open enrollment charter schools.
• I mean, I would turn my school upside down to figure out, okay, who's it sent to, show me your phone,
• Senator Campbell and others, I think the Chairman have bills to ban cell phones in schools.

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:

• class I'm not here advocating for or against public schools private schools charter schools I'm advocating
• Schools and school districts should not be invested.
• But Dallas ISD, being as innovative as it is, open to high school, CityLab High School. school, right
• . public schools, ISDs, charter schools.
• Toby mentioned that there is a charter school within 1500 feet of the school.

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:

• by written regulations adopted by a school board or a school district's board of trustees.
• It simply affords school districts, charter schools, private schools, and junior colleges the ability
• The kid is in school and high school, pretty much known, pretty much expected.
• Texas law allows schools to place students in out-of-school suspension for a maximum of three school
• In fact, school behavior and school discipline has only gotten worse.

Bills: SB27, SB226, SB326, SB570, SB605, SB870, SB991, SB1871, SB1872, SB1873, SB1874, SB1924, SB1925

Keywords: residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, antisemitism, student conduct, education, disciplinary actions, Texas Education Code, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district

Summary: The committee heard a series of school safety and discipline bills, beginning with SB 870, which would codify an attorney general opinion allowing local school boards to decide whether school marshals may openly carry, conceal carry, or store a firearm in a secure safe on campus. The bill was laid out with no public testimony and left pending. The chair then moved to a combined discussion of SB 1871, 1872, 1873, 1874, and 1924, all focused on school discipline, teacher authority, and student safety. Senators Perry and Creighton described the package as a response to rising classroom disruptions, assaults on teachers, and concerns that districts lack effective tools to maintain order. SB 1871 would expand teacher removal authority, require return-to-class plans before a student removed for certain conduct can return, make some serious offenses mandatory for placement in juvenile justice settings, and provide telehealth mental health services through a consortium. SB 1872 would require expulsion to a JJAEP for assaults on teachers or school volunteers and extend certain expulsion-eligible conduct to off-campus offenses. SB 1873 would restore the prior understanding that in-school suspension is not subject to a three-day limit. SB 1874 would grant teachers immunity from disciplinary action for reporting discipline violations or acting in compliance with Chapter 37. SB 1924 would restore authority for local police and school district police to issue Class C citations for school offenses and require criminal referrals for students posing an imminent threat or assaulting a teacher, with a substitute clarifying referral rules when a citation has already been issued. The committee adopted the substitutes for the bills and moved them forward. Invited witnesses from teacher and administrator groups largely supported the overall goal of stronger discipline and safer classrooms, while asking for refinements. The Texas Classroom Teachers Association testified that teachers need more autonomy to remove disruptive or violent students and that classroom removals should not mean removal from learning. Superintendents from San Angelo, Grandview, and Wiley ISDs supported the bills’ emphasis on safety, expanded ISS flexibility, mandatory placement for serious offenses, and telehealth mental health services, but asked for more local control, flexibility for Districts of Innovation, more than one campus behavior coordinator in large districts, clearer timelines for return-to-class plans, and more precise definitions for disruptive conduct. Several witnesses stressed that teacher retention and student learning are being harmed by current discipline problems, while some members raised concerns about vague standards and the risk of overuse or public humiliation through citations and removals.

Transcript Highlights:

• schools, and junior colleges with the discretion to decide whether their designated school marshal or
• Members, let me be clear that this bill does not compel school districts to establish a school marshal
• It simply affords school districts and chartered. schools, private schools, and junior colleges the ability
• School behavior and school discipline have only gotten worse.
• School issues are prevalent.

Bills: SB27, SB226, SB326, SB570, SB605, SB870, SB991, SB1871, SB1872, SB1873, SB1874, SB1924, SB1925

Keywords: residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, antisemitism, student conduct, education, disciplinary actions, Texas Education Code, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district

Bills: SB27, SB226, SB326, SB570, SB605, SB870, SB991, SB1871, SB1872, SB1873, SB1874, SB1924, SB1925

Keywords: residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, antisemitism, student conduct, education, disciplinary actions, Texas Education Code, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district

Transcript Highlights:

• each school district because I know.
• One question will be, how many absences do you need for each school, each school district to establish
• Texas school districts and open enrollment charter schools. Mr.
• We got calls from from schools and lit up on our board that they were calling from school.
• . ...school nurses, assistant school nurses, and other key personnel.

Bills: SB204, SB570, SB735, SB784, SB1207, SB1396, SB1447, SB2392, SB2540, SB747, SB875

Keywords: parental rights, education, school trustees, training, handbook, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district, open-enrollment charter school, student support services, school counselor, principal, administrator