Transcript Highlights:

• This is what the credential that our university, because it we have 5 in a study concentrations that
• In 2015, we began a longitudinal study that really serves as a cornerstone of where we are now and the
• So the Florida study of professionals for say families was a longitudinal study of newly hired workers
• Currently we have the Florida Youth experience a study, the Florida yes study which is being led by Dr
• I'm of consul to on the Florida study. And so this is really my passion.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The studies needed, again, I noted the sustained growth that we're seeing.
• Uh the studies that tie together nicely?
• 00:03:47.680> 2021<00:03:48.319> feasibility<00:03:49.280> study.
• Um it's on the 2021 feasibility study.
• But in that facility study we million.

Bills: HF4680, HF4047, HF4590, HF3757, HF3569, HF4507, HF4426, HF4927, HF4788, HF4757, HF4747, HF3561, HF4014, HF4013, HF4689, HF4766, HF4589

Keywords: wastewater treatment, improvements, capital investment, Greenfield, bonds, water treatment, infrastructure, municipal funding, state bonds, public utilities, HF4590, Tamarack, municipal infrastructure, bonding bill, general obligation bonds, Public Facilities Authority, sewer system, collection system, street reconstruction, local infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• It’s the Public Higher Education Study Committee, an organizational meeting. e e e<00:04:59.680> e
• higher order it's the uh public higher order it's the uh public higher education<00:06:10.440> study
• <00:06:10.840> committee<00:06:11.360> an education study committee an education study
• > the<00:07:04.520> uh The scope of the committee is an act establishing a committee to study
• So this is the study committee. When do we have to elect the chair? No, no, the chair is you.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Public Higher Education Study Committee held an organizational meeting and received an update from the university and community college systems on implementation of recommendations from the governor’s higher education task force. The systems said the task force report contained about 40 recommendations, and they have focused first on operational items while continuing to work on larger policy issues, including better alignment of public higher education with workforce and economic development needs. The committee also discussed reporting requirements under the amended law and whether quarterly reports are required or whether annual updates are sufficient unless the committee requests more. A major topic was expanding Early College and dual-enrollment opportunities. The chancellors reported strong growth in Early College participation, significant student and family savings, and state scholarship support that they described as producing a strong return on investment. They said the goal is to build clearer pathways so students can earn college credit, reduce debt, and stay in New Hampshire for postsecondary education. They also noted ongoing work to simplify admissions and transfer processes, including about 100 transfer pathways between the systems, direct-admit efforts for community college and university students, and continued development of transfer equivalency tools. Members pressed the systems and the Department of Education on direct outreach to high school students, especially juniors, so students would know they are eligible for direct admission and other opportunities. The main obstacle discussed was access to student contact information, with officials saying the issue may involve contract limits with the College Board and possibly statutory constraints on sharing data. Department of Education staff said they are meeting with the systems and vendors to determine what changes are needed. Committee members urged faster action so students and families can receive letters or other notices about in-state options, affordability programs such as Granite Guarantee, and pathways to community college and university enrollment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The ADA chairlift study here at the Capitol project...
• The ADA chairlift study here at the Capitol project is complete. This was a study only.
• My question is in regards to the chairlift study. Obviously, we know we need new ones.
• When we move forward with it, we will determine and study whether those locations would be permanent

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The commission received updates on several Capitol accessibility and facilities projects. For the ADA chairlift study, the consultant recommended replacing chairlifts in the legislative library, House chamber, and Senate chamber because of noncompliance and age-related maintenance issues. Staff said preliminary budget information put the replacement cost at about $400,000, with design expected to take a few months and construction another month or two, and that a new project would be set up. Members asked whether the work would fit into the broader capital master plan, and staff said the chairlift locations would be coordinated with that plan to avoid doing work that would later be removed. The commission also discussed the updated capital master plan and the planned owner’s representative. Members said the RFQ is prepared but will not be released until budget authority is available, likely after the FY26 budget is approved. They emphasized the need to move quickly once funding is available so preliminary work can begin without delay. No action was taken beyond discussion, and members noted that earlier hopes of funding in an early supplemental did not materialize. An update was also provided on the Governor’s Council on Disability’s Digital Wayfinding Project. Staff said the team is working on the technical architecture, content governance, and how visitors will use the system, and that the commission is currently only being asked to approve signage, not to fund the project. Members raised questions about long-term software and upkeep costs and asked that House and Senate leadership and administrative offices be included in reviewing the sign designs. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was seconded and approved unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am here to tell you about there will be Bible study tomorrow in room 109 at starting at 7:15.
• <00:19:46.240> will<00:19:46.440> be<00:19:46.600> Bible<00:19:46.960> study
• tell you about there will be Bible study tell you about there will be Bible study tomorrow<00:19
• There will be Bible study tomorrow in Room 109 starting at 7:15 tomorrow morning.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened, the Pledge of Allegiance was led, and a roll call established a quorum with 51 members present and 14 excused. The journal for Thursday, April 2, 2026, was approved as corrected by the Chief Clerk after a voice vote, with the motion adopted despite some lighthearted remarks from members. Members then announced committee meetings and schedules for later in the day. Appropriations was set to meet in the old state library and lay over House Bill 1365 until the next day. House Finance announced it would hear Senate Bill 128, House Bill 1225, and House Bill 1117 in room 112. House Agriculture, Water, and Natural Resources announced it would hear Senate Bill 122 and Senate Bill 121. The State Civic Veterans Military Affairs Committee announced it would hear Senate Bill 48 and HCR 1001. Several members also made personal announcements, including requests to be excused and notice of a Bible study in room 109. Representative Phillips jokingly noted a Kit Kat placed on the Speaker’s desk. At the end of the session, the Majority Leader moved to lay over the balance of the calendar until Tuesday, April 7, 2026, and then moved that the House stand in recess until later that day; both motions were adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, the amendment establishes the Study Committee on Secure State Mental Health Facilities to make
• long-term feasibility of secure state mental health facilities or other care models, and outlines study
• So in the bill, it allows us to study to go into a compact. So right now, they don't know.
• So in the bill, it allows us to study um So in the bill, it allows us to study to go into a compact.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus briefly reviewed House Bill 2307, which addresses the placement and treatment of dangerous, incompetent defendants when no secure mental health beds are available in Arizona. Staff explained the Senate amendments would allow one such defendant to be housed temporarily at the Arizona State Hospital in a secure setting, require DHS to study the cost of building or converting a secure facility on ASH grounds, create a study committee on long-term secure mental health facility options, and include an emergency clause. The sponsor said the bill is intended as a temporary fix while the state works toward a permanent secure facility, and noted the individual would receive mental health treatment aimed at restoring competency to stand trial. Members asked about where the person would be housed, whether treatment would be provided, and whether out-of-state compacts might be used if needed. The group then discussed House Bill 272, which as passed the House would have created an optional state certification program for lactation care providers and a related advisory committee under the Arizona Department of Health Services. Staff reported that the Senate adopted a strike-everything amendment turning the bill into an emergency measure repealing Dr. Cesar Estrada Chavez Day. The sponsor, Representative Fink, was reported to concur with the Senate amendments. No votes were taken during the caucus discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I move interim study. >> Second. >> Representative Petrino moves interim study.
• Thank you. >> So, the motion on the floor is interim study.
• to study it, which I'm sure different ones did.
• > are of those studies are those studies are of those studies are those studies are out<04:03:07.040
• , and 30% in those smaller studies.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the study. study. study.
• classification study uh this timeline uh classification study uh this timeline uh highlights<01:12:06.400
• No, this will be a progress report specific to this study.
• embarking on this study. embarking on this study.
• money because you're about to do a study money because you're about to do a study because<01:21:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Labor held an informational briefing on August 22, 2025, to receive an update from DEH on statewide recruitment efforts aimed at reducing vacancies across state departments. Director Hashimoto, joined by DEH staff, presented on two hiring initiatives: Wikiwiki Hire and Operation Hire Hawaii. The committee focused on how each program works, how quickly applications are screened and referred, and how the programs differ from standard recruitment procedures. For Wikiwiki Hire, DEH described it as an accelerated recruitment pathway used mainly for classes with multiple vacancies. DEH screens applications every two weeks, then sends qualified applicants a list of participating departments and recruiter contact information so applicants and departments can connect directly. Committee members asked about effectiveness data, timelines, and whether the process aligns with the merit principle. DEH said the program is intended to speed hiring, that departments are not required to interview every person on a list, and that applicants can be hired as vacancies are filled on a first-come, first-served basis so long as all qualified applicants have the same opportunity. DEH also said it could provide data later and that it is working through a backlog of screenings. The committee then discussed Operation Hire Hawaii, an executive-order-based hiring effort launched in February to expedite hiring, including for displaced federal workers but open to all applicants. DEH reported more than 6,000 applications, 127 recruitments, 81 closed recruitments, and 142 hires, with a goal of conditional offers within two weeks. DEH said it turns applications around daily, while departments do the initial screening, interviews, and hiring decisions, with DEH completing final qualification screening and suitability checks at the end. Members asked about the program’s duration, its low conversion rate, and what happens to applicants who are not hired; DEH said it can refer qualified applicants to other vacancies and that the pilot was originally intended to run about a year, with possible extension if departments want it to continue.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is just a study commission. This is just a study commission. Yeah. All right.
• This just a study Discussion. This just a study commission.<00:11:44.320> Yeah. commission.
• pass it as it is as a legislative study pass it as it is as a legislative study committee.<00:22
• bill we heard was on a study committee. bill we heard was on a study committee.
• was turned into a study committee. Okay. was turned into a study committee. Okay.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , independent studies.
• , half a million dollars on studies, half a million dollars on studies, independent<01:18:59.440>
• studies.
• The first one, the independent studies.
• There's been all kinds of studies, work.

Bills: HF2438

Keywords: transportation finance, transportation policy, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Metropolitan Council, highway funding, trunk highway fund, county state-aid highway fund, municipal state-aid street fund, state aid roads, local roads, bridge funding, road construction, transit funding, passenger rail, freight rail, aviation, airport development, safe routes to school

Transcript Highlights:

• There's no studies that prove that.
• Studies have shown that as little as one drink a day increases breast cancer risk in women.
• There are many studies in Canada: 62 of 68 studies assessing, including several severe mental health
• There are many studies in Canada: 62 of 68 studies assessing, including several severe mental health
• studies in Canada 62 of 68 studies studies in Canada 62 of 68 studies assessing<01:57:46.400>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committees on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs and Agriculture and Food Systems heard testimony and began decision-making on HB 1246, which would establish the Hawaii Cannabis and Hemp Office within DCCA to regulate cannabis. Chair Tarnas described the bill as divisive and noted the hearing had received 95 testimonies in support, 135 in opposition, and 11 comments. Members were told the office would be administratively attached to DCCA, and the department emphasized it would not direct day-to-day operations. DCCA also raised concerns about banking access due to federal law, while the Department of Agriculture supported a one-plant, one-agency approach and noted its current authority over cannabis plant importation and movement. Several agencies and advocates supported the bill with cautions or requested amendments. The Department of Health said it appreciated the bill’s public health protections but remained concerned about increased adult-use access, youth mental health, pregnancy-related risks, and effects on developing brains; it requested a 12-month delayed effective date. The Attorney General’s office said legalization should include safeguards, recommended a longer implementation timeline and seed funding, and flagged issues in the bill involving impaired driving, open-container language, and penalties for under-21 possession. The Office of the Public Defender supported the bill but objected to new driving and possession offenses, saying existing law already covers impaired driving. Doctors for Drug Policy Reform supported the measure, citing regulation of intoxicating cannabinoids, testing, childproof packaging, and public education as public-health benefits. Opponents focused on youth access, public safety, and the bill’s broader social effects. The Honolulu Police Department opposed the bill over access and diversion concerns, and the City and County of Honolulu Prosecutor strongly opposed legalization, citing higher-potency cannabis, youth harms, psychiatric risks, and increased poison-center calls. The Hawaiʻi Substance Abuse Coalition argued legalization should wait until prevention programs are in place and funded first, while the Hawaiʻi Family Forum and Hawaiian Republican Women also opposed the measure, citing concerns about youth exposure, added bureaucracy, and taxpayer costs. The Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi questioned the purpose of the proposed cannabis taxes, asking why cannabis should be taxed heavily if legalization is intended. The hearing continued with additional testimony after a brief audio issue for one testifier.

Transcript Highlights:

• So therefore, this amendment allows for the study commission to study all payers and continue and be
• all<00:28:35.600> payers study commission to study all payers study commission to study all
• the committee creating the study the committee creating the study creating<00:29:19.000> the<
• <00:34:03.120> committee this amendment yeah the study committee this amendment yeah the study
• commission one of the task of the study commission one of the task of the study commission<00:37

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 167, a PFAS-related measure expanding the state’s restrictions to include ski wax and related fluorocarbons. The sponsor said the bill was a follow-up to last year’s PFAS law and largely targeted products already off the market, describing it as a reaffirmation of the state’s intent to keep PFAS out of water. The committee voted unanimously to recommend the bill ought to pass and then placed it on the consent calendar. Next, the committee considered House Bill 275 on health career credentialing requirements. The discussion centered on a proposal that would have required insurance companies to pay for training mandated by federal requirements. Members concluded that approach was not appropriate and voted unanimously to make the bill inexpedient to legislate, then placed it on the consent calendar. House Bill 276, dealing with on-premise beverage license requirements, was then reconsidered after an initial ITL vote. The committee adopted an amendment creating a tavern license for establishments limited to patrons over 21, with a higher fee and no food requirement, and then voted 15-0 to recommend the bill ought to pass as amended; it was also placed on the consent calendar. The committee then took up House Bill 310, which would establish a commission to study a regulatory framework for stable tokens and tokenization of real-world assets. The sponsor said the amendment added blockchain-based trusts and discussion of privacy and environmental concerns. The committee approved the amendment 16-0 and then voted 16-0 to recommend the bill ought to pass as amended, placing it on the consent calendar. House Bill 312, concerning intercollegiate student athletes’ right to earn compensation from name, image, and likeness, was retained because members said the issue was not ready and the NCAA had not resolved how to handle it. Finally, the committee began discussion of House Bill 316 on ground ambulance reimbursement, with an amendment that would replace the bill’s reimbursement provisions with a study commission; members debated how it related to another bill, HB 725, and whether the amendment would delay immediate relief for ambulance providers.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the pilot studies, between 39 and 43 percent... That's net savings.
• In the pilot studies, between 39 and 43% of those patients had a diagnosis within a few days.
• I'd like to share two patient stories from the study.
• He enrolled in our NIH study, and rapid sequencing was ordered.
• Studies recently have shown we are losing vaccinators. Reimbursement rates are a key factor.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a large docket of bills focused on MassHealth benefits and reimbursement, health equity, behavioral health, public health, dental access, 340B drug pricing, tobacco cessation, and coverage for children. The chairs emphasized rising health care costs, provider shortages, administrative burdens, and persistent inequities by income, race, geography, and immigration status. Much of the testimony centered on H.1416/S.901, an act to advance health equity, with legislators and members of the Health Equity Compact arguing for statewide benchmarks, stronger health equity leadership, reimbursement for interpreter services, community health workers and patient navigation, Medicaid graduate medical education support, and a health equity zone trust fund. Witnesses described disparities in life expectancy, maternal mortality, access to primary care, and the impact of federal Medicaid and social service cuts, and urged the committee to report the bill favorably. The committee also heard strong support for H.1368/S.847 on rapid whole genome sequencing for critically ill MassHealth children. Testifiers from industry, academia, hospitals, and families said early sequencing can end long diagnostic odysseys, improve treatment decisions, shorten hospital stays, and save money, while also providing emotional relief and information for families. The hearing then moved to H.1407 on MassHealth rate parity for inpatient behavioral health providers, where Rep. Scanlan and the Massachusetts Association of Behavioral Health Systems said the bill would codify existing administrative parity so managed care plans cannot pay less than the MassHealth fee-for-service rate. On H.1392/S.853 to preserve and protect public health, witnesses supported higher vaccine administration fees to improve provider participation and immunization rates. The committee also heard testimony on H.770/845 to protect 340B providers in MassHealth, and on S.848 to require reporting and transparency around 340B revenues and outside administrative costs. Additional bills drew testimony on tobacco cessation coverage for MassHealth members, with advocates supporting broader access to counseling and medications through medical, behavioral health, and dental providers. On H.1409, a nursing home operator asked for more flexibility in a MassHealth staffing-related penalty tied to patient days per resident. On H.1401/S.888, supporters of the “Take 10” dental access proposal said adult MassHealth dental coverage is underused because too few dentists accept MassHealth, leading to long travel times and avoidable emergency room visits; they urged incentive payments for dentists serving new adult MassHealth patients. Finally, on H.1403/S.855, “Cover All Kids,” advocates and immigrant community members urged removal of immigration status as a barrier to full MassHealth coverage for children, while also backing a related bill to ensure 12 months of continuous coverage for children. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and asked questions on costs, reimbursement levels, and implementation details.

Transcript Highlights:

• Studies for the fungus, putting the fungus out.
• <00:03:00.800> in<00:03:01.040> early range studies in early range studies in early
• studies for the fungus. Is that right?
• Is that and early 2026 range studies.
• Senator, the Department of Health has been studying this for many years.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard House Bill 643, House Draft 2, which would create short-term management initiatives and appropriate funds for the coconut rhinoceros beetle response program. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Committee discussion focused on biocontrol efforts, including fungus and virus-based treatments, the need for a biosecure facility, and the timeline for testing and range studies. Department of Agriculture officials said initial testing is underway at the University of Hawaii, but full testing requires a higher-biosafety facility that is not yet available on island. Members also discussed funding levels, the possibility of a mobile facility, and whether the work could be accelerated. The committees later voted to pass HB 643 unamended. The committees also heard House Bill 736, House Draft 1, which would establish a three-year wastewater system and individual wastewater technology testing pilot program at the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center. Supporters said the bill could help certify new, lower-cost decentralized wastewater technologies and reduce the cost of cesspool upgrades while improving water quality. University of Hawaii witnesses explained that the center would test technologies, collect samples, analyze results, and provide reports to the Department of Health for certification. Members raised concerns about whether the program would help communities facing immediate wastewater issues, the length of the testing timeline, and whether technologies like the Genki ball could be included. The committee was told the pilot would likely test one technology at a time over about nine months each, though multiple tests could run in parallel later. The committees voted to pass HB 736 unamended. After those measures, the joint committee moved to an AEN-only agenda and began hearing STR 111 / SR 92, which declares a public health emergency relating to climate change and calls for statewide coordination on cross-sector solutions. Testimony in support came from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Public Health Institute, and others. Supporters said climate change affects public health through heat, wildfire risk, invasive mosquitoes, and other impacts, and argued that the response should involve agriculture, planning, transportation, and emergency management, not just the Department of Health.

Transcript Highlights:

• What I did was I created a study commission for the Atchafalaya Basin with water quality.
• By creating the study task force on the water quality that I just passed out of Natural Resources just
• away with the Atchafalaya, just being clear that I do have another instrument where we're going to study
• away with the Atchafalaya, just being clear that I do have another instrument where we're going to study
• So that's my goal with this study commission: to bring the Corps of Engineers, Department of Natural

Bills: HCR74, HCR95, HB705, HB1048, SCR23, SCR31, SCR38, SB49, SB233, SB307, SB326, SB387, SB401, SB435, SB495

Keywords: trade commission, international relations, Louisiana, United Kingdom, economic exchange, cultural exchange, infrastructure investment, sales tax, exemptions, credits, rebates, uniformity, legislative rules, fiscal report, contempt, legislature, disorderly conduct, bribery, arrest, legislative privilege

Summary: The House and Governmental Affairs Committee met on May 12 with a quorum present and took up several measures. It first heard HCR 74, which would establish a Louisiana-United Kingdom Trade Commission modeled after the existing Louisiana-Ireland commission. The author said the commission would serve as an umbrella group to promote exchanges in trade, academics, financial services, economic development, and the arts, with no compensation for members. After brief questions and supportive testimony from a member familiar with the Ireland commission, the committee reported HCR 74 favorably. The committee then considered SCR 38, which repeals Joint Rule No. 7 related to the Atchafalaya Basin Program Oversight Committee. The author explained that the repeal was tied to a separate study commission on Atchafalaya Basin water quality, aimed at addressing sediment buildup, stagnant hypoxia, and harm to the fishing industry. Members discussed sediment management and water quality concerns, and the committee adopted a technical amendment to the title before reporting the resolution favorably, as amended. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 495 on campaign finance disclosures. The author described a series of changes, including raising the threshold for unitemized individual contributions to $200, adjusting when a PAC is considered to be participating in an election, extending the annual report deadline from February 28 to March 15, and allowing leadership PAC funds to cover replacement or repair of items damaged in connection with public office. The transcript cuts off during the bill presentation, so no final action on SB 495 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• floor with an interim study floor with an interim study recommendation<00:07:24.240> from
• I have prepared a motion for interim study.
• I have prepared a motion for interim study.
• <00:16:16.320> Anything interim study. Thank you. Anything interim study. Thank you.
• the ITL so a motion of interimm study the ITL so a motion of interimm study could<01:13:18.960><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 72 basically directs the commission to study telehealth services and submit a supplemental
• The commission to study telehealth services began meeting in 2020 pursuant to House Bill 1623 of the
• There was further study warranted in this area to see how telemedicine can be used further.
• and with that needing further study and with that reason<00:24:19.400> uh<00:24:19.720> I<
• So this could be another area that could be further studied, for example, but I think the language as

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <03:14:04.960> by validated in independent studies by validated in independent studies by
• The SAU withdrawal process is very, very easy: you do a study commission, the study commission, or a
• process is very very easy you do a study process is very very easy you do a study commission<03:
• , we've had studies before.
• Could be an asset if you want to go forward with some kind of study. We've had studies before.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 362, which would grant the Department of Education rulemaking authority related to educator licensure and testing requirements, including passing scores on professional education assessments. Representative Ladd said the bill is intended to preserve New Hampshire’s standards for classroom teachers and CTE instructors, while allowing DOE flexibility through rulemaking. He emphasized maintaining high standards, including for career and technical education, and said he was open to DOE clarifying the language further. Committee members raised concerns that the bill, as written, could remove language recognizing industry-recognized credentials for CTE instructors. Department of Education Director Steven Appy said DOE had drafted an amendment to clarify that the requirement applies to an initial New Hampshire license, to exempt CTE teachers from content exams, and to preserve current administrative practice allowing basic academic skills testing and industry-recognized credentials as substitutes. The committee discussed the distinction between basic academic skills tests and content assessments, and Appy said the amendment was meant to avoid conflating those requirements. The chair said the committee would take up executive session on HB 362 and related bills later. The committee then took up House Bill 90, which narrows and defines the rules for part-time teachers, especially in concurrent enrollment settings. Representative Ladd explained that the bill is meant to allow qualified college faculty or adjuncts from the University System or Community College System to teach high school concurrent-enrollment courses when local schools lack a teacher with the needed master’s-level credentials, particularly in math and STEM subjects. He said the bill is intended to expand student access to college-level coursework, save money, and preserve standards, while still requiring background checks and adherence to ethics and conduct rules. Members began asking questions about how the bill would work in practice, including certification and endorsement issues, but the hearing was not concluded in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, every three years the Commission requires power companies to study and make one of these reports
• The results of these studies are reported to the Commission and become part of the process for future
• And currently every three years the Commission requires power companies to study and make one of these
• The results of these studies are reported to the Commission and become part of the process for future
• Chairman, when I was in law school, we studied the issue, and it appears that schools, for example, have

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee considered a series of bills for constitutional and proper-form review, with the Rules Attorney flagging a few issues for possible floor amendments. House Bill 2313, dealing with teachers’ strikes and work stoppages, was found to raise a pension-rights problem under the state constitution if it would take away retirement benefits; the attorney said removing the words “or former employment” would cure the issue. House Bill 2697, concerning opioid overdose emergencies and related immunities for use of opioid antagonists, was flagged for an anti-abrogation issue based on recent Supreme Court guidance about how statutory immunities are drafted. House Bill 2912, on Corporation Commission integrated resource plans for electric utilities, raised uncertainty about the boundary between legislative authority and the Commission’s rate-making power, though the bill was still recommended with a note that a clarifying amendment might help. Each of these bills was ultimately recommended as constitutional and in proper form by recorded votes. The committee also reviewed House Bill 2991, which would require parental consent for minors to create social media accounts. The Rules Attorney said the measure raises unresolved First Amendment concerns and is still a work in progress, while the sponsor said stakeholders are continuing to negotiate language. Despite that debate, the bill was recommended as constitutional and in proper form. House Bill 4010, regulating genetic counselors, was said to be generally fine except for a provision barring adverse action or even threats of a lawsuit against counselors for conscience-based refusals; the attorney said a floor amendment removing the “threatening-to-sue” language would resolve the issue, and the bill was recommended. The committee then took up House Bill 4115 and House Concurrent Resolution 2051 together. Both measures were deemed generally constitutional, but the attorney said a petition-circulator disclosure requirement likely conflicts with the U.S. Supreme Court’s Buckley decision and should be removed by amendment; the sponsor indicated such an amendment was planned. Both measures were still recommended. Finally, the committee approved a large mass motion covering many additional bills and resolutions, which the Rules Attorney said had been reviewed and were constitutional and in proper form. The committee adjourned after a 6-0 vote on the mass motion, with two members absent.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next adoption cycle for social studies is 27-28. That's when these books could be corrected.
• The fiscal impact will be substantial on our study. ...these books could be corrected.
• They just completed the social studies adoption cycle a couple of years ago.
• They just completed the social studies adoption cycle a couple of years ago.
• Social studies curriculum, which I believe will be, I think, four years from now since they had just

Summary: The Education Employment Committee held its first meeting and heard three bills. Chair Kennedy opened with remarks about the committee’s work and the goal of moving Florida from “excellent to eminent.” The committee first considered PCS for CS for HB 151 on private school participation in interscholastic sports and extracurricular activities. Representative Abbott explained that the bill would let private school students participate in sports at FHSAA member schools when their own school does not offer that sport, clarify treatment of single-sex versus co-ed teams, adjust FHSAA board appointment authority, require appeals panels to include a majority of member-school representatives, set timelines for eligibility appeals, and post appeals decisions online. An amendment by Representative McFarland added FHSAA board decisions to the transparency requirement. The bill drew supportive public testimony and was reported favorably as amended by a 19-0 vote. The committee then took up HB 549 on the “Gulf of America.” Representative Porras said the bill would align Florida’s geographic materials and academic standards with the federal designation replacing the Gulf of Mexico, with a later amendment to phase in the change only for materials adopted or acquired on or after July 1, 2025. Members questioned the timing, costs, and impact on instructional materials; the ranking member and others argued the bill was unnecessary and could burden districts, while supporters said Florida should lead in adopting the federal terminology. Public testimony included support from Florida Citizens Alliance and opposition from a speaker who called the bill a waste of time. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably with committee substitute by a 16-2 vote. Finally, the committee considered CS/HB 85 on hazardous walking conditions. Representative Kendall described the bill as addressing elementary students who live within the two-mile walk zone but must cross interstates, freeways, highways, or ramps, and said the measure would provide bus service in those hazardous situations. An amendment clarified the language by tying it to the statutory definition of a limited access facility. Members from both parties described local safety concerns and personal experiences, while one member noted the likely added cost to districts. Public testimony listed opponents, but the chair later clarified they had submitted cards with the wrong bill number. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably with committee substitute by a 20-0 vote, then adjourned.