Transcript Highlights:

• continuing education programs for health care providers in rural counties.
• It starts out with relevant state regulations and state financial programs, right?
• I think this is a great thing for our state to do.
• E-cigarettes are defined in the Health and Safety Code.
• And cessation education in schools.

Bills: HB18, HB742, HB754, HB1644, HB2187, HB1887, HB 1275, HB37, HB1503, HB1699, HB1700, HB2735, HB1741, HB1731, HB1675, HB18, HB37

Keywords: rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services, financial stability, human trafficking, first responders, health care, training, reporting, protection, trafficking prevention, medical assistant training, health care facilities, hospital compliance, clinic compliance, anti-retaliation, whistleblower protection, employee reporting, good faith report

Keywords: Education - Room 409, 25 February, 2026; 1:30 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the state.
• We value education in our family.
• This largest state college we have in the state, it's a major job and a major commitment to oversee such
• This largest state college we have in the state, it's a major job and a major commitment to oversee such
• the state of Florida.

Bills: S1694

Keywords: technology education, digital literacy, artificial intelligence, computer science, high school graduation

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met with a quorum present and first took up CS for SB 1694, which would require technology-integrated postsecondary general education core courses to include digital literacy and competency instruction, including use of artificial intelligence tools, and encourage high school computer science courses with AI content to teach how AI systems use data, their benefits and limitations, and responsible use in academic and personal contexts. The bill drew support from several speakers who emphasized the need for students to understand AI’s capabilities, limitations, ethics, and risks, while one speaker raised concerns about overreliance on AI and the loss of skills. Senator Davis said the bill was a good step toward preparing the future workforce and suggested earlier instruction might be worth considering later. The bill was reported favorably, and Senator Leek asked to be recorded in the affirmative. The committee then heard a long series of confirmation presentations for trustees at multiple Florida colleges and universities, including Tallahassee State College, USF, UNF, Palm Beach State College, the College of the Florida Keys, Hillsborough College, Miami-Dade College, Florida A&M University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, New College of Florida, Florida Polytechnic University, and the University of Florida. The appointees generally emphasized student success, workforce alignment, fiscal responsibility, access and affordability, and institutional growth; several members and senators offered supportive comments, with some asking about specific issues such as Tallahassee State’s NCLEX passage rates and the need for continued improvement. One appointee’s attendance was delayed or skipped for later consideration, but the committee ultimately took a block vote and reported the confirmations favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee. Finally, Chair Harrell gave a brief overview of the higher education budget, describing a total of $11.9 billion and highlighting increases for workforce education, Florida College System operating funds, workforce development capitalization, the Rural Incentive for Professional Educators program, the USF Center for Nursing, preeminent research universities, UCF’s community school grant program, UF’s Lassinger Center on Learning, the Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment, and campus security through a postsecondary guardian program. Senator Davis asked about a transfer related to the workforce development capitalization and incentive grant fund, and the chair explained it was a transfer of an existing program with new funds being added. There was no public comment on the budget, and the meeting adjourned after Senator Leek requested to be recorded in the affirmative on SB 1694.

Keywords: Education - Room 216, 3 February, 2026; 4:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee took up HB 2, with the chair noting that most of the bill had already been handled in prior action, including charter school provisions, the voucher/ESA bill, and a standalone teacher pay raise. The chair said the remaining bill was before the committee for its disposition and invited questions, but none were raised. Senator Wiggins then moved a title-sufficient do-pass motion on HB 2. The committee voted, and the motion failed, with the noes prevailing. As a result, the bill died in committee, and the meeting concluded with a rise and report.

Transcript Highlights:

• , the student shall be able to move to any district, any school that wants to transfer to, and the state
• Well, we just know that there are several schools or districts in the state, some under state control
• And that's what my concern is too is these kids, these ones at the state have been under control that
• <00:05:08.160> have these kids, these ones at the state have these kids, these ones at the
• <00:14:14.240> on then they need to be not educated on then they need to be not educated on

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:

• Uh, there are six regional education service agencies throughout the state, and we thought they already
• Uh, there are six regional education service agencies throughout the state, and we thought they already
• Uh, there are six regional education service agencies throughout the state, and we thought they already
• throughout the state. Thank you. throughout the state. Thank you.
• <00:04:54.720> law run into some problems uh in state law run into some problems uh in state

Keywords: Education - Room 216, 29 January, 2026; 9:30 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee took up several education-related bills. Senate Bill 2281, a repealer bill extending to July 1, 2029, would allow career and technical education grants to school districts to be used for additional purposes already in statute, including purchasing equipment for programs leading to qualifying industry standards. The bill was explained briefly, no questions were raised, and it was approved by voice vote. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2485, a department-requested bill dealing with charter school qualifications. It would clarify that charter schools are exempt from certain requirements if the program did not receive Department of Education grant funding, while adding some requirements back to the authorizer board. The bill was adopted without objection. Senate Bill 2494, also explained by Senator McMahon, would codify bulk purchasing authority for the state's regional education service agencies. An amendment was adopted to replace references to “RESA” and “ESA” with the full statutory terms for consistency, and the bill passed as amended. Finally, Senate Bill 2515, sponsored by Senator Blount, addressed state law governing the sale of closed school buildings, especially in light of Jackson Public Schools closing more than 20 buildings due to declining enrollment. The bill would reduce the effect of reverter clauses that can discourage buyers and would set deadlines for charter schools’ first right of refusal on closed school properties: interest must be expressed within six months and a lease or purchase completed within 12 months unless extended by agreement. An amendment reflecting those changes was adopted, a question was raised about whether the bill affected buildings on 16-section land, and the sponsor said it would not change land ownership. The committee then voted to do pass the bill as amended, and the meeting ended with notice of one more meeting planned for Tuesday and a motion for a rising report.

Transcript Highlights:

• The State Department of Education is here if we have additional questions.
• The State Department of Education is here if we have additional questions.
• The State Department of Education is here if we have additional questions.
• education by the state department of education including<00:38:07.040> public<00:38:07.359>
• department of education the state department of education which<01:16:13.040> one<01:16:13.280

Keywords: Education - Room 216, 22 January, 2026; 10:30 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee took up several education-related bills. Senate Bill 2071 would allow school boards to vote on providing health insurance to board members and their dependents using local, not state, funds; it was advanced after Senator Brian objected that it could create an incentive for people to seek school board seats for the insurance benefit. Senate Bill 2072 would move the deadline for teacher supply cards earlier, from August to July, using EF funds, and it was reported. Senate Bill 2103 would require school boards to adopt policies banning or restricting student cell phone use during school and class time, and it was also reported. Senate Bill 21103 would remove a requirement that school counselors follow the National Association of School Counselors’ code of ethics and instead align them with the Mississippi teacher code of ethics; it passed without opposition. Senate Bill 2236 would authorize the use of LifeVac choking devices in schools, with the sponsor saying the devices are inexpensive and could be provided free to districts; it passed as well. The committee then spent most of its time on Senate Bill 2242, the Mississippi Math Act, which would create a statewide math improvement initiative within the Department of Education. The bill would deploy math instructional coaches, require K-5 universal math screeners three times a year, create individual math plans for students below benchmark, support algebra readiness, protect data under FERPA, and establish a fund for grants and other deposits. Senator Boyd said the bill is modeled on efforts in other states, especially Alabama, and is intended to build on Mississippi’s literacy reforms by focusing on support, intervention, and professional development rather than retention or punishment. Members raised concerns about cost, the proposed anti-lapsing language for the fund, and whether the bill should require high-quality instructional materials statewide rather than leaving curriculum choices to local districts. Senator Hopson estimated the program could cost about $3.5 million and suggested the anti-lapsing language might be removed or handled through appropriations. Senators Blunt, Hill, and Wiggins argued that the success of literacy reforms came from requiring standardized, high-quality instructional materials and accountability, not home rule alone. Senator Wiggins offered an amendment to require high-quality instructional materials for math statewide, and Senator Boyd said he was supportive of that as a friendly amendment. The discussion ended with the amendment still being worked through and the bill not yet finally disposed of in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:08.800> groups $5,000 as most of our education groups $5,000 as most of our education
• It's not good for the state.
• It's not good for the state.
• It's not good for the state.
• <00:48:21.040> It's not good for the state. It's not good for the state.

Keywords: Education - Room 216, January 6, 2026; 12:45 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee welcomed three new members and elected Senator Brian Rhodes as committee secretary by acclamation. It then took up three education bills. Senate Bill 2001, a $2,000 across-the-board pay raise for teachers, teacher assistants, and certain higher education instructors, was explained as a partial step that could be increased later if more funds become available. The bill also included language to prevent school districts from offsetting state raises for teacher assistants by reducing local supplements. After no questions, the committee adopted a motion that the bill be reported. Senate Bill 2003, which expands the program allowing retired individuals to return to teach, drew the most discussion. The bill broadens eligibility beyond retired educators, raises the retirement-pay percentage from 50% to 65%, shortens the required break in service from 90 days to 45 days in most cases, removes the critical-shortage-area limitation, and allows retirees to teach in any district. Senator Hill offered and the committee adopted an amendment to clarify that the retiree must be receiving a PERS retirement allowance. Members debated possible effects on the retirement system, but the bill was ultimately reported. Senate Bill 2002, dealing with public school district transfers, would remove the sending district’s ability to veto a student’s transfer to another public district. Senator Hopson offered a single amendment, adopted by the committee, to allow receiving districts to charge a reasonable fee, require transfer notice by March 15 absent good cause, and preserve MHSAA’s authority over extracurricular eligibility. Members discussed transportation, equity, and athletic recruiting concerns, and the amendment was clarified to leave the fee amount to the receiving district’s board. After the amendment, the bill was reported.

Keywords: Education - Room 216, Oct. 28, 2025; 9:00 AM, 925, all

Keywords: Education - Room 216, October 10, 2025; 9:00 AM, 925, all

Keywords: Education - Room 216, October 9, 2025; 1:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Make Texas higher education, do not put a wrench in the works and make Texas higher education not the
• Without these certain "liberal arts" classes, my education and my peers' education will suffer.
• post higher education.
• It's bad for higher education.
• in higher education.

Bills: SB 37

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Other hourly workers across the state.
• Improvement, and the Department of Education.
• Her background as a former property tax chair, education policy chair, and now in education finance,
• every other worker in our state enjoys, did that in 2023.
• , how well they're educated.

Bills: HF1049

Keywords: school library aid, education finance, school districts, charter schools, funding eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:59.040> house today to speak on the educ house today to speak on the educ house education
• <00:15:36.000> education and live our values as a state education and live our values as a
• state education agency.<00:15:37.279> While<00:15:37.519> we<00:15:37.680> know
• um clarification to include, you know, opioid recognition, training, and education and uh the state
• Education and uh the state standards. So, thank you for your time and um I yield my time.

Bills: HF1306

Keywords: education, school policy, teacher training, student health, emergency response, 1183, house

Keywords: House Caucus of the Whole - Budget and Education, 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• kind of now in a post-COVID era and during the interim, I, I heard concerns from leaders in higher education
• this attendance, SB 724 requires that each member of a governing board of an institution of higher education
• Uh, Governor and lieutenant governor are out of state, so I appreciate you mentioning that very much.
• Which passed unanimously out of the Education Committee and passed out of the Senate with bipartisan
• The spying carried out on its behalf is directed by the Chinese state.

Bills: SB 37

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

Keywords: Education - Room 216, 10 March, 2025; 2:30 PM, 925, all

Keywords: Education - Room 216, 4 March, 2025; 11:00 AM, 925, all

Keywords: Education - Room 216, 27 February, 2025; 9:00 AM, 925, all

Bills: SB 26

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation