Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously she is well qualified for this position. So with that, Mr.
• Bullard was nominated to this position, though I am his senator, because I'm really the senior member
• Bullard was nominated to this position, though I am his senator, because I'm really the senior member
• Will there be questions for the Cabinet Secretary position? Seeing none, will there be debate?
• Secretary Bullard, you are recognized to make comments and take questions for both positions if people

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met to consider a series of gubernatorial nominations, first for several boards and commissions and then for key health-related executive positions. Early confirmations included Michael Vaughn to the Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors, Tina Frazier to the State Board of Licensed Social Workers, Dr. Kanya Martin and Dr. Edgar Boyd to the Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Dr. Christopher Thurman to the Health Care Workforce Training Commission, Samuel Haubrick and Robert Wipp Jr. to the Committee of Home Inspector Examiners, and Dr. Gabriel Pittman to the State Board of Health. Each nominee briefly described their background and qualifications, and committee members generally emphasized professional experience, public service, and rural health needs. All of these nominations advanced on unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The committee then considered Clayton Bullard for two roles: Cabinet Secretary of Health and Mental Health and Administrator of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. Senators focused heavily on Medicaid managed care, provider payment delays, MCO oversight, and the short timeline before a new administration. Bullard said his priority would be stabilizing the agency, building a balanced budget, monitoring contractors and managed care organizations, and ensuring claims are paid promptly; he reported high rates of clean-claim payment within 14 days and said the agency would continue fining MCOs for noncompliance. Members also pressed him on legislative oversight and the need to keep lawmakers informed about policy changes. Both nominations were approved and sent to the full Senate. Sharon Schell Millington was then nominated to lead the Office of Juvenile Affairs. Senators asked about security concerns, staff safety, de-escalation training, pay for direct care staff, and coordination with local law enforcement. Millington said the agency had increased staff pay, adopted nationally recognized restraint/de-escalation training, and was working to improve communication with law enforcement. Her nomination also passed and moved to the Senate floor. At the end of the meeting, the chair answered a question about board membership requirements, clarified that the statute limits how many members may reside in one congressional district but does not require every district to be represented, and thanked committee staff for their work as the committee’s final HHS meeting of the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that's a positive thing.
• But to have them ready when they get there, that is a positive thing.
• I think that's<00:14:52.639> a<00:14:52.880> positive<00:14:53.360> thing.
• But to have that's a positive thing.
• <00:14:57.680> So, a positive thing. So, a positive thing. So, >> okay.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He's continued to move across the time in various boards and positions, and one of the things he's done
• the top-notch people that I can bring forward, and I would wholeheartedly nominate him for that position
• and<00:08:48.240> one<00:08:48.399> of<00:08:48.480> the boards and positions
• and one of the boards and positions and one of the things<00:08:48.800> he's<00:08:49.120>
• and and put my for support that position and and put my for support behind<00:09:27.200> it.

Keywords: Veterans and Military Affairs - Room 210, 3 March, 2026; 1:00 P.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee considered House Bill 612, which had two main parts. Section one would expand an existing authority allowing state agencies, like counties and municipalities already could, to enter memoranda of understanding with federal installations to help complete projects. Section two would add Coast Guard medics to a prior law letting military medics use their training to sit for the LPN certification test. A member asked whether this changed scope of practice, and the sponsor said it did not, noting the applicants would still have to pass the test to be certified. After brief discussion, the committee adopted the committee substitute and passed the bill by voice vote, with the chair announcing that the ayes had it and the bill would be reported out. The committee then took up nominations to the State Veterans Affairs Board. Brigadier General Billy Lamar Pierce was presented for reappointment to represent the Third Congressional District, and Command Sergeant Major Sylvester Tatum was presented for reappointment at large, both for five-year terms. Both nominees spoke about their service and commitment to veterans, and members and senators offered supportive remarks, including comments about veterans’ services, state veterans homes, staffing, and compensation for staff. The committee voted to advise and consent on both nominations, and the chair said they would be reported. The chair also reminded members that the documents contained personal information and had to remain in the room to be shredded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Should you select to waive your speaking time, your position will be included in the committee meeting
• Right now, the Forest Service has only four helicopter pilots for seven budgeted positions.
• In fact, at no time over the last seven years has the state been able to fill all seven positions.
• So our position is those articles are not open at this time. Great, thank you.
• And that is the position for Article 6 and 18 for the Florida Highway Patrol unit as well.

Summary: The Joint Select Committee on Collective Bargaining met to hear impasse presentations from the Department of Management Services and several bargaining units. The department reported that most articles had been resolved in each of the full-book contracts, with remaining disputes centered largely on wages and a handful of non-economic issues. For the FDLE special agents, security services, law enforcement, Florida Highway Patrol, and Florida State Fire Service units, the state described its wage offers as generally a 2% competitive increase plus a 3% special pay increase, along with various bonuses, retention funds, or career-development funding in some units. The department also said it wanted to keep existing language on work schedules, seniority, grooming, equipment, grievance procedures, and other items, often characterizing its changes as housekeeping or alignment with current practice. The department noted that insurance had been agreed to with no increased employee cost, and it confirmed that correctional officers do receive overtime pay. Representatives for the Florida State Fire Service Association strongly disputed the state’s position, arguing that firefighters should not be required to perform major construction work, that their work schedules and on-call/callback arrangements unfairly suppress overtime, and that wildfire and fire-rescue employees are underpaid and underprotected. They also pressed for better compensation for EMT/paramedic-certified firefighters, additional protective clothing, on-site decontamination and shower/laundry facilities, and stronger cancer-prevention language. The association said the state had not bargained in good faith and urged the committee to support the union’s proposals. The Police Benevolent Association’s Florida Highway Patrol unit focused on wages and a career development plan, saying troopers remain underpaid compared with other states and are leaving for better-paying agencies. It also sought a veteran stipend, broader grooming/tattoo language, safety improvements for high-mileage vehicles, and changes to seniority and inflation-related pay. The PBA law enforcement unit raised similar safety concerns about aging vehicles, sought limits on performance evaluations tied to case presentations, and requested a $7,000 across-the-board wage increase. The security services unit, representing correctional officers, probation officers, and ISS officers, said its main issue was wages and asked for an $8-per-hour starting pay increase, retention bonuses, special pay for death row and close-management staff, added pay for SOTEC officers, and overtime pay for lieutenants and captains who currently receive comp time instead. No votes were taken, no public testimony followed, and the committee adjourned after taking the presentations under advisement.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're also well positioned in Florida to help these companies in this in this industry to grow a
• And I do think that you are position to to be a leader in this and you already attract people from all
• We're positioned very well if not very, very well, that to be one of those 5.
• So I think we're actually position very well because will understand what's coming.
• And so we can position ourselves ready to then show you what the plan is for next year. >> Outstanding

Transcript Highlights:

• Should you choose to waive your speaking time, your position will be included in the committee's records
• with me about what qualifies you from your life experience and your vocational experience for this position
• While positions on these boards are voluntary, I take them very seriously.
• I do not accept positions on boards because they look good on a résumé or LinkedIn profile.
• You also indicated that the reason why you talked about your various board positions was because you

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met to consider several executive appointments, beginning with Matthew Walsh, Secretary of the Department of Juvenile Justice, for confirmation. Walsh outlined his long law-enforcement career, social work background, and priorities at DJJ, including staff wellness, reclassifying juvenile detention and probation officers as officers under statute, adding beds to move youth from detention into residential programs, and increasing per diem funding. Members asked about detention “dead time” and the need to get adjudicated youth into programming sooner. Public testimony included support from Barney Bishop and Christian Minor, and the committee voted unanimously to approve Walsh’s nomination and forward it to the full Senate. The committee then heard from Tina Vidal-Duarte, nominee for the Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees. She described her business background as CEO of CDR Health, her education, and extensive nonprofit and board service, including leadership roles with the Florida Grand Opera, the Homeless Trust of Miami-Dade County, FAU, and the Hope Florida Foundation. Senators questioned her about free speech issues involving FAU faculty, her relationship with the new FAU president, student diversity, AI and workforce planning, and her prior role on Hope Florida. She also answered questions about her company’s work at the Everglades detention center and the bidding process for state contracts. Public testimony opposed her nomination, citing concerns about her business ties, Hope Florida, and detention-center contracts. Debate split largely along partisan lines, and the committee approved her nomination on a recorded vote. Afterward, the committee took up the remaining nominations in Tabs 2 through 15, excluding Tab 10, and approved them as a group by voice/recorded vote for forwarding to the full Senate. The meeting then concluded with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• director payment programs consist of the various supplemental payment programs, including lift DPP position
• Which does that then put us in a position where we as the state are going to have to compensate to bring
• I appreciate the position we've put Chin and thank you for they want to participate in the questions.
• Are they hard to fill positions, the policy positions that are having tough with recruitment?
• I think a lot of that to get into probably more hard to fill positions that are probably more policy

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:45.520> because<00:04:45.759> the<00:04:46.360> council position because
• the council position because the council successfully<00:04:48.400> raised<00:04:49.680> uh
• Representative Nash has a bill that requires a report on unfilled executive branch positions.
• <00:10:09.760> And unfilled executive branch positions.
• And unfilled executive branch positions.

Bills: HF2783

Keywords: state government finance, biennial budget, appropriations, Minnesota Management and Budget, Healthy Aging Subcabinet, Office of Healthy Aging, older adults, aging policy, long-term care, caregivers, public health, Medicaid fraud, medical assistance fraud, attorney general subpoena power, fraud enforcement, business filing fraud, Secretary of State, deceptive mailings, consumer protection, certified public accountant

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, please state your name, who you represent, and your position.
• Your name, who you represent, and your position on HB 500? Yes. My name is Sabrina Gonzales-Aucedo.
• That is a position that we've taken.
• And what was your position on the bill? I'm in favor of the bill. And who are you representing?
• It will result in about 70 positions being eliminated, with a projected annual impact on approximately

Bills: SB1, HB500, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• TODAY WE HAVE A BRIEF MEETING TO GO OVER THE SIDE-BY-SIDE DOCUMENT SHOWING THE HOUSE AND SENATE POSITIONS
• IN THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES ON LINE SEVEN TO HOUSE REDUCES 60 POSITIONS VACANT
• DEPARTMENT OF CITRUS ON LINE 83 THE HOUSE REDUCES UNFUNDED BUDGET AUTHORITY, LINE 84 THE HOUSE REDUCES POSITIONS
• TRANSFER OF THE ON-SITE SEWAGE PROGRAM FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, LINE 106 HOUSE REDUCES 143 VACANT POSITIONS
• IN THE FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION ONLINE 217 THE HOUSE REDUCES POSITIONS VACANT OVER 90

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a tough position to hire. It's a tough position to hire.
• The CFI, we're in a strong position financially.
• That is not a position we want to be in.
• So I think DPI's position is we want opportunities for kids.
• So I think there's something positive to be said for that.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It’s a tough position to hire. It’s a tough position to hire.
• And so, but the CFI, we're in a strong position financially.
• That is not a position we want to be in. I think that was part of the point.
• So I think DPI's position is we want opportunities for kids.
• So I think there's something positive to be said for that.

Summary: The committee reconvened at North Dakota State College of Science for a presentation from President Dr. Flanagan and college leaders about NDSCS’s mission, enrollment growth, workforce training, and facilities needs. Flanagan highlighted student success in national competitions, strong placement and retention, growing enrollment, and new or expanding programs in aviation maintenance, fire science, dental hygiene, community health worker training, surgical technology, HVAC/plumbing, and precision agriculture. He also emphasized the college’s partnerships with industry, including John Deere, Fargo Jet Center, Sanford, and Comdel Innovation, and said NDSCS plans to seek approval next session for a revenue bond to build a new dorm and to remodel the library into academic and allied health space. Allied health dean Deb Smith testified that her division is at capacity and needs a simulation center, more lab and classroom space, and expanded dental and OTA facilities to meet demand and accreditation needs. Committee members questioned Flanagan and staff about workforce shortages, especially faculty pay, and whether the college can staff additional growth. Flanagan said the biggest challenge is recruiting instructors because industry pays more, but noted some health care and adjunct hiring is possible because of schedule flexibility and benefits. He also discussed shifting resources away from lower-demand programs like power sports toward higher-demand areas such as automotive and aviation maintenance. Members also asked about the college’s identity as a technical institution, with Flanagan arguing North Dakota would benefit from a more defined tech-school system. The committee then received a University System presentation from Jamie Wilkie on the cost of delivering dual credit. Wilkie explained the methodology used to allocate direct and overhead costs across subsidized and unsubsidized dual credit, noting that dual credit and early entry account for about 5.9% of total credit hours and 2.7% of formula funding. The analysis showed subsidized dual credit tuition revenue of about $5.5 million and unsubsidized revenue of about $2.9 million, with some institutions showing margins and others losses depending on the model. Members discussed whether K-12 funding should also be reflected, how payments to high schools and teachers are structured, and whether tuition-free dual credit would require replacing both tuition revenue and the current dual credit scholarship. No votes were taken; the committee simply received the presentations and discussed the findings.

Transcript Highlights:

• that we want to make sure that what happens in our state is appropriate and affects people in a positive
• More than 25% of the surveyed faculty interviewed for positions in other states.
• That's why you need to be in a position where they can speak up without threatening their jobs.
• Being a part of shared governance has allowed me to make positive contributions to ACC's policies and
• benefit or positive educational outcomes.

Bills: SB 37

Keywords: fetal development, education, public health curriculum, middle school, age-appropriate instruction

Transcript Highlights:

• On line 31 and 32, we have the transfer in of some positions from the Department of Commerce and three
• additional positions to the BCA to form a new state fraud unit. and we will be asking testifiers today
• to the BCA to form additional positions to the BCA to form a<00:05:26.880> new<00:05:27.039><
• <00:21:26.799> Uh to cut sworn peace officer positions.
• Uh to cut sworn peace officer positions.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Specifically important to me is understanding your position on Title IX and protections.
• Senate to a deputy secretary-level position in the federal government. And that's...
• Senate to a deputy secretary-level position in the federal government.
• Senate to a deputy secretary-level position in the federal government.
• Senate to a deputy secretary-level position in the federal government.

Summary: The committee first heard a confirmation from UCF trustee reappointee Mr. Christie, who described his background in medical devices and prior board service and said he wanted to help UCF strengthen its financial foundation, workforce alignment, and engineering and technology pipeline. Members asked about UCF’s direction, and he emphasized the university’s role in producing engineers and supporting Florida’s space and technology sectors. The committee then moved to the higher education budget for fiscal year 2025-26, which was presented as an $11.5 billion total budget including local funds and focused heavily on workforce education, nursing, agriculture technology, tutoring, student aid, and university initiatives. Chair Harrell highlighted increases for school district workforce education, Florida College System operations, career and technical education grants, the GATE program, nursing education through USF’s Florida Center for Nursing, UF/IFAS rural and agricultural programs, UCF’s Community School Grant Program, UF’s literacy and tutoring initiatives, autism and neurodevelopment services, full funding for major scholarship programs, and $250 million for state universities through the Board of Governors. Senator Davis asked about line grant flexibility, and Harrell said a conforming bill would address the details. The budget proposal was adopted as a recommendation to the full Appropriations Committee, with staff authorized to make technical corrections. The committee then took up a series of confirmations, beginning with Florida State University reappointee Peter Collins, who emphasized his long FSU ties, leadership on the board, and goal of keeping FSU on a path toward top-10 status and AAU membership. Rebecca Matthews, a new University of West Florida appointee, discussed her education-related volunteer work, Florida Education Foundation service, and interest in supporting UWF’s continued excellence; senators questioned her on Title IX and she said she would support student protections and compliance. Rachel Moyah, another UWF appointee, highlighted her education, school board experience, and priorities of student safety, fiscal discipline, and workforce readiness; she also said she would comply with Title IX and other applicable rules. Ashley Ross, also nominated to UWF, said she would focus on university advancement, military ties, cybersecurity, civil engineering, and strong governance, and agreed that Title IX protections should be preserved and advanced. The most extensive questioning came during the confirmation of Adam Kessel, a UWF appointee and Heritage Foundation fellow, who was asked about prior writings on privatizing public universities, his comments about the GI Bill, and his views on free speech and Project 2025. Kessel said he did not recommend privatizing Florida universities, clarified that his comments about the GI Bill and over-enrollment were about broader higher education policy, and said he supports veterans and the GI Bill. He described his higher education work as focused on civic education, accreditation, student success, tenure, and free speech, and said trustees should improve campus culture through policies, training, and institutional neutrality. Public testimony on UWF was sharply divided: former UWF leaders and community members warned that the new slate of trustees and their vote to make Scott Yenor chair had chilled donations, enrollment, and community trust, while a James Madison Institute representative praised Kessel’s scholarship and thoughtful approach. The committee also heard from FAMU reappointment Belvin Perry, who cited his judicial career and board service and said his goal is to support student success, retain strong faculty and staff, and help FAMU continue rising in national standing. Finally, the committee began hearing from remote appointees, including UCF nominee Mark Philburn, who emphasized his construction, affordable housing, and higher education board experience, and FSU nominee Peter Jones, who described his finance and investment background and long service to FSU boards and committees. The last nominee heard before the transcript ended was Florida Gulf Coast appointee Paul Applegarth, whose audio issues delayed his remarks; he began by noting his prior federal confirmation, military service, and GI Bill-supported education.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:50.000> value the program must have positive value the program must have positive value
• currently serve in leadership positions currently serve in leadership positions and<00:42:47.040
• will have a positive impact. will have a positive impact.
• When I read that and I hear words like “stimulated” and “helped,” those are almost positioned in a positive
• We are doing some on a positive note.

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call – 0:00:00 Workforce Pell Grant Update – 0:03:30 Extension Office Update – 0:33:25 Kentucky Academic Standards for Social Studies – 1:07:08 Early Literacy Outcomes – 1:32:20 Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations – 1:58:30 Adjournment 2:13:13, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're applying to sustain the community school coordinator position at Yi Elementary, a role that has
• position at Yi Elementary,<01:09:43.679> role<01:09:43.920> that<01:09:44.080> has<
• <02:43:12.160> that full-time equivalent positions that full-time equivalent positions that
• Uh these positions were clients.
• :51.439> economic<02:43:51.840> and positions contribute to the economic and positions

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: This joint informational briefing focused on Act 310 grants and aid, with committee members hearing one-minute testimony from organizations first in person and then by Zoom. At the outset, the chairs explained there would be no Q&A during the briefing and asked testifiers to focus on how federal cuts were affecting their work. The meeting was organized by registration number and included both neighbor island and Oʻahu applicants. Testimony centered on organizations seeking state support to offset federal funding losses or anticipated reductions. Health and social service providers described impacts from Medicaid, SNAP, ACA subsidy, Title X, and other federal changes, including Aloha Care, Community Clinic of Maui, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, West Hawaiʻi Community Health Center, Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center, Hawaiʻi Youth Services Network, Alcoholic Rehabilitation Services of Hawaiʻi, and Kokua Kalihi Valley. Other groups highlighted losses affecting food security, housing, disaster preparedness, and climate resilience, including the Kohala Center, Feeding Hawaiʻi Together, Hawaiian Lending and Investments, Dynamic Community Solutions, and the Pacific Tsunami Museum. Several arts, youth, and education organizations also testified, including Hawaiʻi Literacy, Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony, Honolulu Theatre for the Youth, Sounding Joy Music Therapy, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaiʻi, Girl Scouts of Hawaiʻi, Kids Hurt Too Hawaiʻi, and US Vets, each requesting funding to preserve programs and staffing. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing. The only action was procedural: the chairs moved through the applicant list, limited testimony time, and then transitioned from neighbor island in-person testimony to Oʻahu and later Zoom participants.

Transcript Highlights:

• positive positive way<00:17:46.840> this<00:17:47.039> hands-on<00:17:47.640> experience
• what you're learning to the position what you're learning to the position that<00:26:43.240>
• or perhaps not so how it is positively or perhaps not so positively<00:27:18.360> um<00:27:18.640
• share some positive share some positive news<00:49:11.680> as<00:49:11.799> a<00:49
• sea position a lower paid um position sea position a lower paid um position where<01:48:46.119><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Although I will have some positive data on retention as well in the presentation.
• Some positive data on retention as well in the presentation.
• Although I will have some<00:13:33.920> positive<00:13:34.240> data<00:13:34.480> on
• , positions remaining open, or courses having to be cancelled.
• <01:19:15.199> unfilled permissions, or leave positions unfilled permissions, or leave positions

Bills: HF3635, HF3638

Keywords: teacher mobility, interstate compact, licensure, military spouses, education, teacher regulation, teacher qualifications, state sovereignty, educator licensing, paraprofessional credentials, mental health, professional development, data sharing, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We think that is really positive and steps like that.
• going to have the position right. going to have the position right.
• <00:49:15.280> way think this is such a a a positive way think this is such a a a positive
• I can set that number and say, "I need this position. I have X amount of dollars."
• to retain our puts us in a position to retain our students. students. students.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: A joint informational briefing of the House and Senate higher education committees focused on how the University of Hawaiʻi athletics department plans to remain competitive in the new NIL era, including the effects of the House v. NCAA settlement, direct institutional payments, and the need to balance competitiveness with the university’s educational mission. Senators and committee members introduced themselves, and the briefing featured remarks from women’s basketball coach Laura Beeman, football coach Timmy Chang, and Athletic Director Matt Elliott. Coach Beeman said NIL has already affected recruiting and retention in women’s basketball, estimating the program has lost six to 10 student-athletes because it lacks the funding to keep comparable talent. She emphasized that the issue is not greed but retention, culture, and keeping student-athletes who value the university and community, while also using NIL as a way to teach financial literacy, privacy, and adult responsibilities. Coach Chang described similar pressures in football, including transfer portal volatility and competing offers from other programs, and gave examples of players whose personal and family circumstances made NIL support important for staying at Hawaiʻi. Athletic Director Elliott said the department’s vision is to create an outstanding student-athlete experience, recruit and retain elite athletes, compete at the top of the Mountain West, and strengthen community ties. He said the department wants to preserve the educational focus while adapting to a system in which student-athletes can share in revenue. Elliott explained that UH is seeking a $5 million annual NIL fund, is fundraising through the community and the “Boost the Bose” account, and is also pursuing individual NIL deals, corporate sponsorship-related deals, and licensing opportunities. In response to Senator Kim’s question, he said NIL compensation can come through two tracks: institutional payments within the department’s discretion and outside deals that must be reviewed for market value under the new reporting system. No votes or formal actions were taken; the meeting was informational only.