Transcript Highlights:

• that her students develop the tools that they need to be thoughtful, engaged citizens.
• for student mental 1.7 million annually for student mental health<00:52:31.480> and<00:52:31.720
• <00:54:08.680> in<00:54:08.880> higher students in higher students in higher education<
• We have about 170,000 students in the DOE. We've got over 12,000 teachers.
• That's a ratio of about 13 students for every teacher.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m sure the students are doing a great job at it.
• I think there’s a student-led advertising difference that drove student choices.
• I wonder if you can talk a little bit about that, and, you know, are student choices and student demand
• I'm a bioengineering PhD student in Dr.
• I know the students want burgers because when I was a student I always wanted to have food.

Summary: The Select Committee on Alternative Protein Innovation held its second informational hearing at UCLA, focusing on California’s alternative protein sector and the role of public institutions in expanding plant-based, fermentation, and cultivated protein options. Chair Ash Kalra opened by highlighting prior state investments in UC research centers, the importance of student engagement, and the hearing’s three panels: reducing the carbon footprint of institutional meals, addressing market challenges to scaling alternative proteins, and advancing future food research and workforce development. Assemblymember Isaac Bryan also briefly praised the committee’s work and its relevance to climate and health goals. The first panel featured Friends of the Earth, UCLA Dining, and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Megan Jones described California school food efforts, including technical assistance and microgrants that helped districts expand plant-based meals, reduce water and carbon footprints, and improve student satisfaction. Pete Angelese explained how UCLA Dining uses concept-driven venues, sustainable purchasing, and marketing nudges to increase plant-forward choices, while Dr. Michelle Wood outlined Los Angeles County’s 2024–2025 board motions to expand plant-based options in county food venues and programs, including joining the World Resources Institute’s Cool Food Pledge. Committee members asked about costs, procurement, and how student and consumer behavior can be influenced. The second panel addressed market barriers to scaling alternative proteins. Zach Weston and Daniel Gertner emphasized that the sector faces a cost-and-scale trap, high capital needs, and financing gaps, and they recommended grants, tax credits, loan guarantees, procurement commitments, and workforce development. T.K. Pillen of Beyond Meat argued that the category has faced a recent downturn due to consumer skepticism, industry attacks on “fake meat,” and pricing pressures, and said the key to renewed growth is increasing demand through better taste, health, pricing, and messaging around “plant protein.” Panelists also discussed hidden subsidies and structural advantages for conventional animal agriculture, and committee members raised questions about iBank loan guarantees and supply chain challenges. The final panel highlighted UCLA’s research and training efforts. Dr. Amy Roet described the Future Food Fellows program, which trains students across disciplines in science, communication, leadership, and community-building, and supports research on scalable, safe, and nutritious alternative proteins. Corinne Smith shared her cultivated meat research and student leadership in the Alternative Proteins Project at UCLA. Dr. Janet Tomiyama presented consumer psychology findings showing that disgust, gender norms, and terminology strongly affect acceptance, with “plant protein” and “complementary proteins” testing better than “fake meat.” The hearing concluded with support for continued public investment, clearer messaging, and expanded education and workforce pipelines to help California remain a leader in alternative protein innovation.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is an additional $7,200 per student, which, uh, about 1,700,000 students.
• That's our base student cost, right? Senator DeLano: No, base student is about 6970.
• student? student? >> 7,200. >> 7,200. >> 7,200.
• That's our base student cost, >> Okay. That's our base student cost, right? right? right?
• that student was in a good place. that student was in a good place.

Keywords: Education - Room 216, 2 February, 2026; 1:45 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up a bill on computer science and CTE. Senator DeLano explained that it updates prior law requiring computer science to be incorporated into curriculum and Carnegie unit credit, and now allows artificial intelligence to be included as a component of a district’s computer science offerings. The committee asked no substantive questions, and the bill received a title sufficient, do pass recommendation by voice vote. The next measure, Senate Bill 2244, would allow students in districts rated F for two consecutive years to transfer to another district or school, with the state covering transportation and related costs in addition to base student cost. Members raised concerns about the estimated fiscal impact, the authority of receiving districts to accept students, whether the bill should apply to individual schools within an F district, and whether a case-by-case or pilot approach would be better. The committee adopted a reverse repealer to keep the bill alive for further work, then voted title sufficient, do pass. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2235, which requires local law enforcement to notify a juvenile’s school district within 24 hours of a felony arrest. Senator Rhodes said the bill was prompted by school resource officers who wanted schools to know when a student had been arrested, especially after violent incidents, so schools could respond appropriately. Senators questioned whether the bill conflicts with youth court confidentiality and records laws, who exactly should receive the notice, and whether false arrests could harm students. The sponsor said the bill was intended to improve communication and school safety, and the committee adopted a reverse repealer and then voted title sufficient, do pass. The chair announced the committee would meet again later that day and rise and report tomorrow.

Transcript Highlights:

• make sure that we're equipping students make sure that we're equipping students with<00:13:48.320
• stackable credentials for our students stackable credentials for our students the<00:15:47.519><
• important opportunities for our students important opportunities for our students to<00:16:02.440
• These students comprise nearly 10%, or approximately 1,500, of our students.
• We definitely do want to hear from the student. We definitely do want to hear from the student.

Bills: HF1936, HF849, HF989, HF1130, HF1223, HF1907, HF1847, HF1957

Keywords: workforce development, youth employment, career guidance, education, job skills, Duluth Promise, education funding, career training, employment support, youth apprenticeship, economic development, minority support, internship program, Bloomington, funding, youth mentorship, job training, disadvantaged youth, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Youthprise

Transcript Highlights:

• students from others.
• students from others.
• found that staff was physically restraining students for reasons other than to protect students from
• and the CSU students and the community college students all chose this bill for their lobby days as
• , the student...

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee met with a quorum and first adopted a 4-0 consent calendar for SB 1345, SB 1410, and SB 1421. The committee then heard SB 1200 on child care, which would redefine infant and toddler age categories so providers could serve 18- to 24-month-olds in toddler slots. The author and family child care providers said the bill would better align policy with child development, improve reimbursement, and help providers stay open; there was no opposition. SB 1200 passed 4-0 to Appropriations. The committee also approved SB 971, which would authorize counties to offer optional adult education and technology training programs for older adults through local public health systems and community partners. Supporters said it would help seniors with digital literacy, fraud awareness, health, and social connection, while remaining locally flexible and non-mandatory. The bill passed 4-0 to the floor. SB 1234, the “Accountability Before Custody Act,” would require fentanyl to be included in drug testing already ordered in dependency cases. The author, an angel family member, and a sheriff’s office representative described child deaths and exposure risks tied to fentanyl; the bill passed 4-0 to the floor. The committee then heard SB 1109, which would require additional state review for short-term residential therapeutic programs with repeated serious citations or located in very small rural counties lacking basic infrastructure. Supporters from Alpine County said the bill addresses a mismatch between facility placement and local capacity; opponents argued it was overly broad and could reduce placement capacity. The author accepted committee amendments, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations as amended. SB 961, the Student Food Access Act, would notify financial aid applicants that they may also be eligible for CalFresh; students and advocacy groups supported it, and it passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 1099, clarifying local governments’ authority to provide public benefits to all residents under PRWORA-related exemptions, also passed 4-0 to the floor and was kept on call. Later, the committee heard SB 1190, the Safe Passage for Youth Act, which would create licensing and safety rules for companies transporting youth to out-of-state residential facilities. Survivors described being taken from their homes in frightening and coercive circumstances, and supporters said the industry is currently unregulated; the bill passed 4-0 to the Public Safety Committee. Finally, SB 1325 would create a limited pathway for Feeding San Diego to participate in CalFood under added conditions. Supporters said it would expand hunger relief in San Diego County, while food bank organizations opposed it, warning it would divert limited resources and set a precedent. The discussion highlighted broader concerns about CalFood funding and food bank capacity, but no final vote on SB 1325 was shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• As we all know, there's no question CTE is critical for students. It's good for students.
• It really addresses student engagement, attendance.
• So I think that there in terms of housing students.
• Students in our state, how many of our students may be being served in a virtual program?
• And again, these are full-time virtual students, not students that may have a virtual component as a

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• FALL ADMISSION CYCLE ARE SOMETIMES NOT ALWAYS THE STRONGEST STUDENTS WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT STUDENT
• WHEN WE INVEST IN STUDENT SUCCESS INITIATIVES STUDENTS PERFORM BETTER.
• WHAT WE SEE IN THE NURSING LITERATURE IS STUDENT SUCCESS INITIATIVES HELPING MEET THE STUDENTS WHERE
• DO WE HAVE A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF WHERE THE STUDENTS ARE COMING FROM?
• THIS WAS THE WORK I WAS ABLE TO MENTOR THE STUDENT DOING AND ABSOLUTELY THE STUDENT WAS EXCITED.

Transcript Highlights:

• TAB SEVEN CS FOR SENATE BILL 248 STUDENT PARTICIPATION.
• STUDENT TO PUT HIS PATENT SPORTS TO STUDENTS ATTEND SPORTS OUTSIDE THEIR SCHOOLS.
• DIFFERENT EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS?
• STUDENTS THAT CHOSE TO BE IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
• THIS BILL DEPRIVES PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS WHEN PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENTS HAVE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Henry, for students to seek what they liked, what their interest was."
• I am that non-traditional student.
• I am that non-traditional student. for five years now. I am that non-traditional student.
• We approach this responsibility with unwavering commitment to quality, student success, and the student
• So you have K through 12 students, or high school students in this case, right on the same campus, and

Summary: The Careers and Workforce Subcommittee met for its first meeting of the year, took roll, and heard member introductions centered on the importance of workforce pathways beyond the traditional four-year college route. Members repeatedly emphasized manufacturing, trades, rural workforce needs, apprenticeships, and helping students and adults find multiple paths to good jobs. The chair outlined the subcommittee’s focus on policies that build a skilled workforce and announced the day’s theme would be manufacturing, with presentations from the Florida Department of Commerce, the Florida Semiconductor Institute, and Fleet Force CDL training. Secretary Alex Kelly presented Florida’s manufacturing report, saying manufacturing is a major economic driver and that Florida has become the 10th largest state in manufacturing employment. He highlighted strong job multipliers, rapid growth in manufacturing GDP and establishments, the importance of logistics and ports, and the state’s small-business-heavy manufacturing base. He also stressed the aging manufacturing workforce, the need for modern skills such as robotics, cybersecurity, and data analytics, and the role of public-private partnerships, apprenticeships, and workforce education investments in supporting reshoring and industry growth. Dr. David Arnold described Florida’s semiconductor sector and the Florida Semiconductor Institute’s mission to grow research, workforce, and ecosystem development. He said semiconductors are strategically important, Florida ranks fifth nationally in semiconductor workforce, and the main bottleneck is mid-level technician talent rather than engineers or entry-level workers. He pointed to NeoCity, Valencia College, and other regional partnerships as models, and said the state needs more proactive planning, better instructor capacity, and stronger pathways from K-12 through postsecondary. Evan Agiloff of Fleet Force discussed Florida’s CDL shortage, saying trucking is essential to the supply chain, Florida has about 18,000 open CDL positions, and Fleet Force’s college-based model can quickly move students into middle-class jobs. Members asked about apprenticeships, CTE pathways, semiconductor training, infrastructure needs, and how to expand and better fund workforce programs; no votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• with disabilities, boys and students with disabilities, boys and students<00:17:09.439> of<00
• are not fairing as well as our students are not fairing as well as our white<00:32:17.279> students
• and students and students are<00:47:52.960> handled<00:47:53.440> appropriately<00
• And is cases for um older students.
• students who have highly complex needs. students who have highly complex needs.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Seclusion Working Group approved the minutes from its November 5, 2025 meeting and then heard presentations from Jessica Heiser and Aaron Sansmark of Solutions Not Suspensions and the Minnesota Disability Law Center on the misuse and illegal use of seclusion in schools. They described illegal seclusion as including use outside emergencies, for discipline or noncompliance, beyond the emergency period, in unregistered rooms, without parent notice, without required observation or documentation, for students outside the grade-limit rules, when meals/restroom/water are withheld, or when staff are not properly trained. They emphasized that Minnesota lacks a single reliable data source for identifying illegal seclusion and that families often learn about incidents late, if at all, making complaints and legal action difficult because of barriers such as time, cost, language, and access to advocates. The presenters summarized Minnesota Disability Law Center records, saying they receive about one seclusion-related case per month during the school year, statewide, and that in the cases reviewed over the last year the children were all boys with disabilities, including autism, ADHD, developmental delay, or emotional disabilities; three were white and two were children of color, and four of the five were age 10 or younger. They said all of those families pulled their children from school afterward, and that five of five cases potentially had valid illegal-seclusion claims, though only three pursued legal action. They also noted PACER reports many discipline and behavior calls involving seclusion but does not keep hard records. The presenters proposed better statewide data collection, including identifying school buildings, staff, or students involved, reporting incident duration, and adding a checkbox on MDE complaints to flag restraint/seclusion allegations. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on disproportionality. The presenters cited national research showing students with disabilities and students of color, especially Black boys, are disproportionately restrained or secluded, while acknowledging Minnesota does not have a single statewide racial aggregate for seclusion. Members discussed whether banning seclusion would reduce misuse and disproportionality, whether it could increase physical holds or injuries, and whether the issue should be viewed in the broader context of emergency interventions. Heiser argued Minnesota is moving in the same direction as federal actions and other states that have restricted or banned seclusion, and noted that the current birth-through-third-grade ban has reportedly reduced seclusion by 40%. Other members agreed disproportionality is a serious systemwide problem, but emphasized the need to keep the conversation focused on seclusion and emergency use. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Davis, you asked a question about non-traditional students. That's who our students are.
• We don't we don't get those students.
• The problem then is those students have to find a place to go.
• I do it all in my small school of a student body of 120 students, mostly practical nursing students.
• I mean, I had a student just a quick 3 story.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 12th grade students in six arts areas. 12th grade students in six arts areas.
• annual report highlights strong student annual report highlights strong student outcomes.<00:04:
• Because of these and Student Survey.
• :08:05.280> region<00:08:05.599> of students come from every region of students come from
• > students<00:08:33.039> deserve<00:08:33.360> to our state, Purpose students deserve

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're one student short of passing New York. New York is very close to us.
• The state of California is perhaps 90% of their students become nurses.
• The state of California is perhaps 90% of their students become nurses.
• This is unfair to our students. This is unfair to the profession.
• not your students that come fresh out of high school.

Summary: The Education and Employment Committee met with a quorum and considered one bill, HB 121 by Representative Overdorf, relating to nursing education programs. The sponsor said Florida’s nursing shortage is projected to worsen and argued that low NCLEX passage rates show some programs are not adequately preparing students. The bill would tighten probation for underperforming programs, require program directors to be accountable, authorize Department of Health on-site inspections, require admission criteria and public posting of NCLEX passage rates, and require tuition reimbursement and free remediation for students at programs with passage rates below 30 percent. Members asked about how the bill would interact with the Board of Nursing, the Commission for Independent Education, and other agencies, and whether it would address fraudulent or low-quality schools. An opponent from the Florida Association of Independent Nursing Schools said current law already requires Board of Nursing and commission review, institutional accreditation, and provisional status for programs on probation, and argued the bill could reduce the supply of nurses. He also said Florida’s NCLEX results had recently improved. A representative of the Florida Nurses Association supported the bill, saying weak programs waste students’ time and money and do not produce licensed nurses. During debate, several members described concerns about diploma mills, fraudulent programs, student debt, and the need for stronger screening and accountability. Others emphasized that raising standards would improve patient safety and help ensure better-prepared nurses. The chair noted the importance of private nursing colleges in the state’s nursing pipeline. The committee then voted 19-0 to report HB 121 favorably and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Riley is our CFANS student and the president of the undergraduate student government.
• and students are just fabulous. and students are just fabulous.
• deterring students from attending the U. deterring students from attending the U.
• fit all of our students into that space. fit all of our students into that space.
• of students. of students. >> Thank<00:15:30.840> you.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and other students.
• At-risk students comprise 29% of preschool students, and the remainder of the preschool students shown
• preschool<00:08:06.000> students preschool students preschool students and<00:08:08.000> the
• student vary widely among RTC's. student vary widely among RTC's.
• But less students. So, obviously more money per student.

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call: 00:22 Office of Education Accountability Report: Early Childhood Regional Training Centers (RTCs): 01:22 Approval of July 14, 2025 Minutes 31:21 Office of Education Accountability: 2025 Study Agenda 32:35 Adjournment: 39:12, 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard an Office of Education Accountability report on Kentucky’s early childhood regional training centers (RTCs). OEA said the centers provide valuable training, consultation, technical assistance, and materials for preschool personnel, especially for children with disabilities and at-risk students, and that the services align with state and federal requirements. However, the report found uneven student and teacher populations across regions, wide variation in per-student funding, some staffing data inaccuracies, and several fiscal oversight concerns, including inconsistent indirect cost rates, a building rental charge that may have been duplicative, and host districts recording RTC expenditures in a way that could blur them with district finances. OEA also said some documentation of progress toward goals was incomplete and that the technology lending library appeared underused. The report recommended stronger KDE oversight, uniform coding and accounting practices, review of budgets and expenditures, and an evaluation of whether the current five-center model remains the most efficient structure; OEA also suggested the General Assembly may wish to revisit KRS 157.318. Members asked about KDE’s response, whether the centers are required by federal law, how the centers operate, and whether changing the model would affect federal funding. OEA said KDE had only discussed the findings informally and had not issued a formal response, the centers are required by state law but not federal law, and changing the model would not jeopardize IDEA preschool funds. The committee accepted the report by motion. The subcommittee then approved the minutes from its July 14, 2025 meeting after initially delaying action because quorum was not yet present. After that, members turned to the Office of Education Accountability’s proposed 2026 study agenda. OEA said the three proposed topics are the annual district data profiles, facilities funding, and implementation of early literacy statutes. The district profiles would add an appendix showing the number and percentage of students moving to private school or homeschool by district and another appendix noting data-quality issues that affect comparability. OEA explained that district staffing data can undercount contract staff because those employees are not always entered into the system, and members expressed interest in tracking whether prior recommendations were implemented. One senator also raised a separate interest in reviewing whether KDE created and implemented regulations related to KFIX. The discussion remained informational, with no final vote on the study agenda shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Parents, teachers, and students aside.
• Um in integral to our student success.
• Um so student support personnel aid.
• flexibility to spend these uh student flexibility to spend these uh student support<00:10:29.200
• every student still gets free breakfast. every student still gets free breakfast.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Student Academic Success Subcommittee will now come to order.
• So we should have safety planning for all students. and their team will do student-centered plan.
• So 266 we should have safety planning for all students.
• and their student-athletes, this is obviously an important thing to do.
• Coaches have a lot to do with male and female students of any sport.

Summary: The Student Academic Success Subcommittee met with a quorum and heard four bills, beginning with HB 423 on school elopement plans for students with autism or other elopement risks. The sponsors described the bill as a statewide framework for school elopement response plans, immediate parent notification, campus search procedures, and staff training. Public testimony from parents, disability advocates, and a teacher emphasized the dangers of elopement and the need for standardized procedures; members from both parties spoke strongly in support. The bill was reported favorably by a 15-0 vote. The committee next considered HB 1253, which allows coaches to use limited personal funds, up to $15,000 per athletic team per year, to support student-athletes with food, transportation, and physical rehabilitation services. An amendment added guardrails, including that the coach be a school employee, clarified the scope of athletic associations covered, and refined the rehabilitation language. Members discussed the bill as a way to help students in need while avoiding recruiting concerns, and the bill passed favorably 14-0 after the amendment was adopted. HB 1091 addressed dental screenings for K-12 students in districts that voluntarily offer them. The bill requires advance written notice to parents and an opt-out process, and clarifies that screenings are informational only, with any findings sent to parents rather than compelling treatment. An amendment added the language to student welfare provisions as well as school health services. Public testimony from dental and health advocates supported the measure, and the bill was reported favorably 14-0. Finally, the committee heard HB 765 on child care and early learning services. The bill expands before- and after-care options for certain school-based preschool programs without requiring a child care facility license, removes a flu brochure inspection requirement, bars insurance cancellation based on providing child care, creates a professional recognition program, and establishes a child care tuition fund. Two amendments broadened the bill to public and nonpublic elementary schools and created the Brighter Futures fund concept. After debate, the bill passed favorably 13-1, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the community colleges, this bill will open up the ability for student housing.
• So on the student housing and student life projects and athletic facilities that can be on a project
• Student fees or other applicable non-state revenue.
• Chair, if you're a university student, could you raise your hand? University students, okay.
• Chairman, do we have a wait list with our student housings in the state of Mexico. Mr.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Each year, students from around Minnesota and western Wisconsin come to the Capitol for Minnesota Youth
• Every year I go and talk to the kids, the students in Shakopee.
• students and so many ideas. students and so many ideas.
• <00:03:18.640> in go and talk to the kids the students in go and talk to the kids the students
• not every student um, may get to access. not every student um, may get to access.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The transcript is a promotional overview of Minnesota Youth and Government, a four-day mock state government conference held each January at the Minnesota State Capitol Complex and the Hilton in downtown Minneapolis. It explains that eligible 8th through 12th grade students from Minnesota and western Wisconsin participate through school or community delegations, which meet during the year to prepare for the conference. Participants described the program as a hands-on way to learn how state government works and to build skills in public speaking, debate, leadership, scheduling, and interviewing. High school students can take on roles such as legislators, judges, attorneys, lobbyists, media representatives, or cabinet members, while eighth graders participate in a leadership corps that samples multiple program areas. Several speakers emphasized the value of meeting students from different schools and states, hearing new perspectives, and gaining access to spaces like the House Chamber. The transcript includes personal testimonials from students and program alumni about making friends, gaining confidence, and learning from committee and floor debates. One speaker noted a committee discussion on curriculum that brought in views from teachers, students, and families. A representative from Shakopee said the district has one of the largest delegations, with over 150 students involved, and praised the program as a way to prepare future leaders. No formal legislative votes or actions were taken, since this was an informational segment about the youth program.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are preparing students for careers that matter.
• I've met these students. Their energy is contagious.
• We are preparing students for careers that matter.
• Yet, because state funding does not follow the student, our per-student funding declined.
• I believe in its mission and its students.

Summary: The committee first took up CS/SB 742 on workforce education, which would let charter schools directly access the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program for career and technical education programs leading to industry certifications, and would expand the number of programs covered by the money-back guarantee at career centers and Florida College System institutions from three to six. Senator Simon said the bill would help fund CTE expansion; Senator Davis asked whether it could reduce funding for school districts, and Simon said it could depending on available grant funds. A supporter from the Foundation for Florida’s Future appeared in favor, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then heard SB 892, which would codify the Florida State University Center for Election Law so it can continue operating and become eligible for recurring funding. Senator Simon said the center’s work is focused on nonpartisan, evidence-based research related to improving responses to natural disasters and reducing fraud, mistakes, and irregularities in elections, rather than lobbying or redistricting advocacy. FSU supporters testified that the center has already hosted events such as a Bush v. Gore anniversary conference and has contributed to law school scholarship. After questions from Senator Davis about the center’s scope and funding, the bill was reported favorably. The remainder of the meeting consisted largely of confirmation testimony from appointees to university and college boards, who described their backgrounds and priorities. Most emphasized workforce development, student success, affordability, and local community partnerships at institutions including Tallahassee State College, Valencia College, New College, Pensacola State College, Florida Gulf Coast University, University of South Florida, Florida Atlantic University, Daytona State College, University of North Florida, St. Johns River State College, Palm Beach State College, and Santa Fe College. Several appointees highlighted their personal ties to the institutions and their goals of supporting programs in nursing, technical education, research, internships, and graduation rates. One nominee, Dr. Joel Rudman for Pensacola State College, faced pointed questioning about past public comments; he said his remarks were directed at the Florida House, not the Senate, and denied any knowledge of drug use by current or former senators. Public testimony was mixed on his nomination, with one supporter praising his community service and one critic urging rejection. No final confirmation votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.