Transcript Highlights:

• should prioritize the receipt of items to students with the greatest need.
• And so, in order to allow our students to excel in a very student-centered way, I'm asking the committee
• And so, in order to allow our students to excel in a very student-centered way, I'm asking the committee
• Sometimes we have students who have felt like they have been bullied by other students and there was
• no way for these... students and there was no way for these families and these students to feel like

Bills: HB2007, HB2360, HB2369, HB2432, HB2440, HB2534, HB2557

Keywords: competency-based assessment, graduation requirements, education reform, student opportunity, pathway options, albuterol, asthma, inhaler, rescue inhaler, respiratory emergency, school nurse, student medication, self-administration, anaphylaxis, public schools, private schools, charter schools, tribal compact schools, K-12 health, medication policy

Summary: The House Education Committee met in executive session to consider seven bills. Staff briefed measures on competency-based graduation assessments (HB 2007), school-supplied albuterol and standing orders for respiratory emergencies (HB 2360), a Washington Local Food for Schools Program (HB 2369), surplus technology hardware for students (HB 2432), confidentiality for Education Ombuds complaint records (HB 2440), military family school enrollment and records provisions (HB 2534), and special education evaluation timelines and parent access to evaluation reports (HB 2557). Several proposed amendments were discussed, including multiple null-and-void budget clauses, a substitute and technical changes for HB 2534, and timeline clarifications for HB 2557; one Chase amendment was withdrawn after staff said it was already covered, and several Couture null-and-void amendments were rejected or withdrawn. In final action, the committee reported HB 2007, HB 2360, HB 2369, HB 2432, HB 2440, HB 2534, and HB 2557 out of committee with due pass recommendations. HB 2007 passed 19-0 after a null-and-void amendment failed. HB 2360 passed as a substitute after adoption of the Donaghy amendment and withdrawal of another amendment, with a 17-2 vote. HB 2369 passed 19-0 after a null-and-void amendment failed. HB 2432 passed 16-3. HB 2440 passed 12-7, with members split over privacy versus transparency concerns. HB 2534 passed unanimously as a substitute. HB 2557 passed unanimously after adoption of amendments setting special education evaluation and report timelines and rejecting a null-and-void amendment. Before adjourning, the chair announced a 6:00 p.m. deadline for approving amendments for posting and thanked Senator Harris for bringing homemade treats for members. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, if you go to a college student and say I'm going to give you some funding for this program.
• So, I think there's a very clear statement to educators and education students across the state that
• that some are state dollars, some are private dollars, ultimately to the ultimate benefit of the students
• Ideally, wouldn't it be great if we had even more students applying for this?
• So, we just want to say Thank you to everyone for serving and for your dedication to Oklahoma students

Bills: SB706, SB1262, SB1272, SB1546

Keywords: school funding, general fund carryover, State Aid, educational finance, budget penalties, emergency clause, tuition waiver, human trafficking, education, higher learning access, victims' rights, Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grant, higher education, financial aid, income eligibility, student grants, scholarships, capital improvements, teacher incentives, Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Education Scholarship Act

Transcript Highlights:

• I, too, have two students with me today: Jake Robinson, who is a fifth grader.
• 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.
• Speaker, I do appreciate you giving us the opportunity to do this today.

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:

• consumer protections, or the Student Achievement Council's authority to investigate and enforce student
• consumer protections, or the Student Achievement Council's authority to investigate and reinforce student
• We have what I believe is a truly unique opportunity to expand access to the much-needed opportunities
• And this year, this particular bill will add more students to the list of kids or students that need
• their leadership nationally on student consumer protections.

Bills: HB2438, HB2422, HB2525, HB2586, HB2427, HB2458, HB2474, HB2540, HB2589

Keywords: education, scholarship, early childhood, funding, higher education, early education, support, degree seekers, private security, security guard, armed security guard, security company, licensing fees, license renewal, endorsement fee, fingerprints, background check, workforce retention, low-wage workers, public safety

Summary: The committee met on February 3 and considered several bills for possible executive session, with no public hearings. Members were told that House Bill 2538 would be heard later in the session, and no action was taken on House Bills 2422, 2427, or 2589 while amendments were still being worked on. The committee then reviewed House Bill 2438, which creates the Supporting Our Early Education Degree Seekers Scholarship for early childhood education students. A proposed substitute made the scholarship a yearly $10 million allocation from the GET account, capped administrative costs at $500,000, adjusted eligibility for students who already hold an associate degree, created a scholarship account, added a statute of limitations, and required notice to GET account holders. The substitute was adopted and the bill was reported out 13-4, with supporters emphasizing early childhood educator shortages and opponents raising concerns about moving funds from GET accounts. The committee also advanced House Bill 2525, establishing a heritage orchard program at Washington State University. A proposed substitute removed requirements related to preserving orchards and propagating rare apple breeds, and an amendment added a null and void clause; the bill passed 17-0. House Bill 2586, which automatically qualifies Passport to Careers students for the Washington College Grant and aligns financial-need calculations with federal formulas, also passed unanimously. House Bill 2458, expanding Washington College Grant eligibility to certain non-degree credential programs, was amended to require the Student Achievement Council and the College Board to propose a maximum award amount; it passed 11-6 after debate over fiscal impacts and support for trades and certificate programs. House Bill 2474, concerning student consumer protections when institutions or programs close, was amended to narrow exemptions for certain private institutions, including Independent Colleges of Washington and Northwest Indian College, and to clarify teach-out and reimbursement rules. Supporters said it would better protect students when schools change materially or close, while opponents argued the guardrails were too restrictive for institutions; it passed 9-8. Finally, House Bill 2540, extending recertification intervals for emergency medical technicians from every three years to every six years after 10 years of Washington certification, passed 17-0, with supporters saying it would reduce redundant training while maintaining standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• our students are taught.
• for all teachers and students.
• students at risk. risk.
• Indeed, it will harm all students.
• The student wins and district wins.

Bills: SB12, SB1565, SB13, SJR12, SB686, SB371, SB204, SB609, SB112, SB400, SB813, SB 12, SB 13

Keywords: parental rights, education, social transitioning, diversity, equity, inclusion, school policy, student clubs, school district, grievance procedure, public education, diversity and inclusion, funding penalties, school libraries, library advisory councils, library materials, educational content, challenging materials, constitutional amendment, school choice

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, the opportunity to be here and the committee members.
• I do want to thank Senator Shamblas for the opportunity to support this effort.
• Thank you for the opportunity. Yes sir. Thank you.
• Thank you to the committee for the opportunity to speak.
• Finally, through SB336 or otherwise, we'd also really welcome any opportunity to support efforts by the

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:

• And for some students, it also gives them the opportunity to really pursue excellence and achievement
• This flexibility is especially important for students who are still building keyboarding skills, students
• count of at least 250 students.
• That often means larger class sizes, fewer support staff, and fewer opportunities for students.
• So it's not just a student mentioning something to a teacher; it's the teacher helping the student do

Bills: HB2020, HB2032, HB2033, HB2249, HB2313, HB2318, HB2378, HCR2003

Keywords: interference, disruption, educational institutions, public order, conduct rules, statewide assessment, student testing, academic standards, third grade reading, reading retention, promotion and retention, school accountability, assessment window, testing window, test scores, school report cards, nontest data, graduation rates, dropout rates, education data privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• to Hispanic students from across the globe...
• 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
• I also had the opportunity to visit with some students from UNM School of Medicine.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate the opportunity to present House Bill 1461 to you today.
• You'll certainly be given that opportunity to close.
• I appreciate you allowing me the opportunity to lay out House Bill.
• You get an opportunity, and your bill, they are very, very similar.
• I also missed the opportunity of being with you earlier, so thank you.

Bills: HB153, HB1410, HB1461, HB1760, HB1762, HB3261, HB3773, HB153

Keywords: education, funding, student resources, technology access, equal opportunity, veterans treatment court, mental health, criminal justice, rehabilitation, eligibility criteria, veterans, treatment court, military service, legislation, private prisons, inmate confinement, criminal justice reform, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, government contracts, inmate housing

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation will also ensure students are eligible for the Texas Educational Opportunity Grant Program
• These credentials will provide immediate value to industries while offering students opportunities to
• For their students.
• It offers students an opportunity to put what they learned in the classroom to the test.
• The bill aims to ensure these students have full access to this opportunity.

Bills: HB173, HB184, HB484, HB678, HB 1211, HB1507, HB1705, HB1868, HB2290, HB2851, HB2856, HB3041, HB3204, HB173, HB184

Keywords: foreign donations, higher education, public institutions, national security, funding, prohibition, Texas law, healthcare, insurance, affordability, access, public health, foreign influence, education policy, student loan repayment, prosecuting attorneys, border prosecution unit, financial assistance, tobacco, cigarettes

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, I urge to support HB 484 to foster a healthier campus environment for our students. our students
• Students in Texas public schools using student advocates as ambassadors.
• And currently, for example, Rice University wants the opportunity to create a student health plan.
• Allow students to receive financial student aid, I mean federal student aid.
• But what the students don't know.

Bills: HB173, HB184, HB484, HB678, HB 1211, HB1507, HB1705, HB1868, HB2290, HB2851, HB2856, HB3041, HB3204, HB173, HB184

Keywords: foreign donations, higher education, public institutions, national security, funding, prohibition, Texas law, healthcare, insurance, affordability, access, public health, foreign influence, education policy, student loan repayment, prosecuting attorneys, border prosecution unit, financial assistance, tobacco, cigarettes

Bills: HB34, HM7, HM8, HM17, HM3, HM11, HM14, HM15, HM21, HM25

Keywords: HB34, school nurse, school nurses, nurse licensure, licensure, charter school, charter schools, school district, public education, Department of Health, Public Education Department, registered nurse, RN, mentorship, evaluation, competency, teacher salary parity, minimum salary, level one license, level two license

Transcript Highlights:

• And the last question I have is regarding opportunity zones, Section 70421.
• federal or state opportunity zones.
• And while I think there is some benefit and an opportunity to do more with opportunity zones, we want
• Thank you for the opportunity today.
• Thank you for the opportunity.

Bills: H4975

Keywords: federal tax changes, OBBBA, revenue impact, pass-through entities, state budget, tax relief, high-income earners, opportunity zones, 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For students who scored at the basic level or below the third level, the third grade level, For students
• Strong students gain opportunities to expand on their education in areas of their choice...
• Strong students gain opportunities to expand on their education in areas of their choice, while students
• The board supports expanded opportunities for students to access competency-based education.
• Competency-based assessments give opportunities for students to express their knowledge and mastery in

Bills: HB1295, HB2007, HB2262, HB2636

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

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Senators, thank you for the opportunity to present Senate Bill 26.
• participation fees on students that exceed those of their enrolled students, restricts participation
• These pernicious foreign agents are disguised as student support groups.
• I want to be a little more clear on the intent about the foreign students.
• I had the opportunity to.

Bills: S0002, S0006, S0018, S0026, S0028, S0050, S0178, S0326, S0538, S0786, S1004, S1096, S1178, S1366, S1632, S1634

Keywords: negligence, settlement, appropriation, highway safety, damages, law enforcement, child welfare, injury compensation, Department of Children and Families, compensation, law enforcement accountability, personal injury, motorcycle accident, Department of Transportation, legal claim, police negligence, monetary compensation, civil rights, city liability, veterans

Summary: The committee heard a series of bills, most of them claims or civil-law measures, and reported each favorably. Among the bills approved were SB 326 on curators of estates, SB 1096 clarifying filing deadlines under the Florida Civil Rights Act, SB 28 and SB 26 on claims against the City of Lakeland and the estate of Mark Legata, SB 6 involving a DCF-related claim for Layla Estrada/Sapphire Williams, SB 786 creating a nonjudicial process for closing trusts, SB 18 and SB 2 on claims involving the estate of McKenzie Navarre and Daniel Mosley, and SB 50 expanding veterans’ courts statewide. The committee also approved SB 538 on extracurricular activities, SB 1004 on pet sales and financing disclosures, and SB 1366, the sovereign immunity bill, which was presented as a starting point for negotiations with the House over higher claims caps and related provisions. Most of these bills were explained by sponsors as clarifying existing law, modernizing procedures, or resolving uncontested claims, and several had support from affected organizations or individuals; some also drew opposition or concerns from speakers, especially on trust notice issues, sovereign immunity, and the scope of the extracurricular and pet-sale bills. Several bills were amended before passage. SB 326 was narrowed by removing a section and changing reporting language for curators. SB 786 received a technical clarification amendment, while SB 18 removed an unneeded Medicaid-related section. SB 50 on veterans’ courts drew broad support from veterans’ groups and criminal-justice organizations. SB 538 on extracurricular activities was amended multiple times to address home education eligibility, activity fees for homeschool participants, technical cross-references, and compensation for extracurricular sponsors. SB 1004 was supported by animal-welfare advocates and consumer-protection interests. SB 178 on athletics in public K-12 schools was amended to limit the bill to head coaches, require personal funds, and allow similar bylaws by other athletic associations; it passed after discussion of a Miami Northwestern coaching controversy. The committee also took up two major policy bills with substantial testimony and questions. SB 1178 on foreign influence would create a state framework for foreign-agent registration, restrict gifts and contracts tied to foreign countries of concern and designated foreign terrorist organizations, limit certain sister-city and university linkage activities, and increase penalties for crimes committed to benefit foreign governments or terrorist groups; supporters framed it as a national-security and transparency measure, while the sponsor withdrew one amendment before passage. SB 1632 on ideologies inconsistent with American principles generated the most extended questioning, especially about its domestic-terrorism designation process, references to Sharia law, notice and due-process protections, and potential effects on students and speech; supporters argued it targets conduct, not belief, while opponents warned it could chill protected activity and unfairly target Muslim communities. The committee heard many public speakers on both sides, but no floor debate followed before the bill was moved forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• and student success.
• student success efficacy.
• available to eligible students.
• to expand access to financial aid is vital for students to have a real opportunity to break cycles of
• future students.

Bills: HB2438, HB2422, HB2525, HB2586, HB2337, HB2311, HB2286, HB2324, HB2363, HB2098, HB2088

Keywords: education, scholarship, early childhood, funding, higher education, early education, support, degree seekers, private security, security guard, armed security guard, security company, licensing fees, license renewal, endorsement fee, fingerprints, background check, workforce retention, low-wage workers, public safety

Summary: The Post-Secondary Education and Workforce Committee met on January 27 and first took executive action on three bills. House Bill 2311, which makes administrative changes to the Workforce Education Investment Accountability and Oversight Board, was advanced with a do pass recommendation after the proposed amendment was withdrawn. Members supporting the bill said it was a modest process improvement, while some members raised concerns about transparency, accountability, and ensuring workforce dollars go directly to student success. The bill passed on a 15-1 vote. House Bill 2324, which extends tuition waiver eligibility for children of certain disabled veterans, also passed unanimously with a do pass recommendation. House Bill 288, the Dietitian Licensure Compact, was amended to delay implementation until July 1, 2028, and then advanced unanimously with a do pass recommendation. The committee then held public hearings on several bills. House Bill 2422 would shift private security guard licensing fees from individual guards to their employers, eliminate transfer fees, and penalize companies that require reimbursement. The sponsor and labor advocates argued the current system unfairly burdens low-wage workers and contributes to high turnover, while committee members asked about whether the license is tied to the company, the size of the turnover rate, and whether lowering or eliminating fees might be an alternative. House Bill 2438 would create the SEEDS scholarship for early childhood education degree seekers, funded by up to $10 million from the GET account if it remains sufficiently funded. The sponsor and supporters said it would help address severe early learning workforce shortages, especially in rural areas, while WASAC said it supported the concept but had concerns about using GET funds directly and suggested a new account structure to avoid conflicts with existing requirements. The committee also heard House Bill 2525, which would create a heritage orchard program at Washington State University to register and preserve old and rare apple varieties. The sponsor and the tree fruit industry described it as a way to preserve agricultural history, support research, and promote ag education. Finally, House Bill 2586 would align Passport to Careers financial need calculations with the federal student aid formula and automatically qualify Passport students for the Washington College Grant. The sponsor, WASAC, and student testifiers said the bill would simplify aid access for foster youth and unaccompanied homeless youth; WASAC said it would absorb the modest administrative cost and clarified it was not seeking new appropriations. No final committee action was taken on the bills heard in public testimony during this meeting.

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:

• Members, as we started last year, we're trying to recognize students who are doing great things across
• We've got a group of students to my left, your right, over here. If you all would stand, please.
• These are high-achieving college students from around the state, representing probably institutions that
• So it's not fair to them, and it's not fair to the students that they not have some training before they
• then we emphasize that they're going to make sure and teach these teaching assistants about the 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

Summary: The Senate Education Committee heard and advanced a large slate of education bills. Early measures included SB 1726, requiring formal training for university teaching assistants before they teach classes and evaluate students, with emphasis on First Amendment rights; SB 1236, creating an Administrative Report Consolidation Act to reduce duplicative reporting by schools and agencies; SB 1633, codifying existing higher education residency tuition practices; SB 1413, requiring notice to parents when a teacher is emergency certified and limiting adjunct teachers to 270 clock hours per semester; SB 1317, allowing career teacher status to be portable across districts with local board approval; and SB 1360, expanding the state’s math initiative by restoring instructional coaches and creating a math office at the State Department of Education. Most of these bills passed on favorable votes, with SB 1413 drawing some concern over teacher shortages and the adjunct-hour cap, but still passing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have so many students in the House today focused on CTSOs.
• So a school with 200 students will be classified as 260 students. So just something to note.
• Thank you. ...schools are factored at a student population of 1.3.
• So a school that has 200 students will be classified as 260 students. So just something to note.
• Placing restrictions on student enrollment...

Bills: HM3, HM11, HM14, HM15, HM21, HM25, HB9, SB2, SB19

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:

• </c><00:04:24.720><c> or</c><00:04:25.040><c> their</c> student or how much a student or their student
• The whole process is we're trying to create an opportunity for more students who want to enroll in postsecondary
• So, an opportunity for more students who an opportunity for more students who want<00:12:28.959><c> to
• </c> the students who need the most. the students who need the most.
• Riley is a CFANS student and the president of our undergraduate student government.

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