Transcript Highlights:

• These are clock our programs that again trained for specific occupation.
• individuals offering various programs for training in occupations.
• , you know, occupations and then designing a training program to meet that.
• How do we design a training program to make that happen? Thank you.
• That does amazing training for at-risk kids and they are they do whole welding program.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So there are really good training programs out there around the world.
• So there are really good training programs out there around the world.
• So there are really good training programs out there around the world.
• So there are really good training programs out there around the world.
• There are really good training programs out there around the world.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 173 from Senator David Givens, which would create a legislative review process for the state health plan and state plan amendments, modeled after the administrative regulations process. Givens argued the legislature should have a stronger policy role in reviewing the plan, saying the bill would allow lawmakers to find components deficient rather than approve them outright. He tied the proposal to Medicaid spending growth and projected enrollment changes, saying the state needs a new oversight tool. Committee members generally supported the concept, though Senator Berg expressed concern that the legislature lacks the executive branch’s healthcare expertise. The bill was reported favorably on a unanimous roll call vote. The committee then took up Senate Bill 137, sponsored by Chairman Meredith, which would create a pathway for certain internationally trained physicians to practice in Kentucky without repeating residency in the United States. Supporters said the bill is aimed at addressing Kentucky’s physician shortage, especially in rural areas, and cited projections of a statewide shortage of about 3,000 physicians by 2030 and a shortage of primary care doctors in particular. Testimony from Cicero Action and Baptist Health emphasized that many foreign-trained physicians are already fully trained, that residency slots are limited, and that the bill could help fill shortages in underserved counties while preserving quality through existing exams, ECFMG certification, English proficiency requirements, primary source verification, and mentoring/oversight. Several members raised questions and concerns. Senator Berg asked about verification, required exams, and oversight, and Senator Tishner raised concerns about fraudulent credentials in some countries and whether the bill could admit underqualified physicians. Witnesses responded that applicants would still have to pass the same exams, obtain ECFMG certification, and undergo primary-source credentialing and employer oversight. Supporters also argued the bill would not displace U.S.-trained physicians because it would use otherwise limited residency capacity more efficiently. After discussion, the committee adopted the bill and reported it favorably by unanimous vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are clock hour programs that, again, train for a specific occupation.
• individuals, offering various programs for training and occupations.
• occupations and then design a training program to meet that.
• How do we design the training program to make that happen? Thank you. Bye.
• a new program in advanced manufacturing and another program in semiconductor training.

Summary: The Education Postsecondary Committee met to hear an overview of Florida career and technical education (CTE) from Chancellor Kevin O’Farrell and presentations from Big Bend Technical College and Santa Fe College. O’Farrell described Florida’s CTE structure, including career clusters, postsecondary program types, enrollment and completion growth, apprenticeship expansion, and the state’s credentials review process. He said postsecondary CTE enrollment is near 480,000 students and completions reached a record 76,806, with strong growth in nursing, law enforcement, EMT, and other public-safety credentials. He also discussed the CTE audit, which uses retention/success, employment or continued education, and labor-market demand metrics; programs not meeting thresholds would eventually require phase-out plans beginning in 2026. He highlighted the workforce development capitalization grant as a major driver of program expansion and facility renovation, and answered questions about business outreach, construction trades, apprenticeships, and space-industry training. Shelby McCall of Big Bend Technical College described how the college responded to hurricanes, mill closures, and regional economic disruption by expanding rural workforce training. She highlighted aluminum welding, millwright, welding technology, health sciences, and a new advanced manufacturing facility funded by state grants and local partnerships, along with a new LPN-to-RN bridge program. She said the college has strong placement and certification results and is working with employers such as Lippert, NAMO, and others to align training with local demand. Senator Simon praised the college’s role in Taylor County’s recovery and workforce development. Dr. Paul Brody of Santa Fe College said state workforce grants have helped the college expand nursing, skilled trades, apprenticeship, automotive, diesel, and manufacturing programs, including partnerships with Bradford County Technical College, UF Health, Habitat for Humanity, and local employers. He reported growth in CTE enrollment, nursing credentials, apprenticeship enrollment, and job placement rates, and described new efforts in semiconductor training, CDL training, and a charter school model that combines high school, an AS degree, and industry credentials. The committee took no formal action beyond hearing the presentations and adjourned after Senator Berman moved to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• BSC is just not a workforce program; it's a pathway to lifelong careers in the skilled trades, with training
• I went through the program, the online portion, and moved on to the four-week training at the Local 49
• But that program, I think there's a grant program, Women in Nontraditional Occupations, and other programs
• At that point, they also had done a pre-job training. It was 12 weeks at that time. Great program.
• They also had done a pre-job training. It was 12 weeks at that time. Great program.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Skills Partnership Program only funds Skills Partnership Program only funds training.<00:27:34.080>
• <00:37:34.160> now<00:37:34.320> a training program, I'm still even now a training
• This is where that training program.
• as of today, the federal job program as of today, the federal job training<00:52:26.720> program<
• program has not been cut uh to training program has not been cut uh to Minnesota.<00:52:29.680> So

Bills: HF2440

Keywords: labor market, employment, economic development, funding, data analysis, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• JUST TO SHARE WITH YOU BRIEFLY LAST YEAR WE DID SEVERAL OF THE PROGRAMS FROM OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDING
• WE DID THE TRAINING TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE WAS TRAINED AND OUTREACH FOR THE COMMUNITY TO DO SO.
• WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THIS PROGRAM. IT'S AN INTENSIVE PROGRAM THAT CHANCE PROVIDES.
• BY PROVIDING HANDS-ON TRAINING AND REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE PROGRAM HELPS PREPARE THEM FOR SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION
• THIS DEMAND HIGHLIGHTS THE PROGRAMS VALUE IN PROVIDING STRUCTURED WORKFORCE TRAINING REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCES

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to provide training and credentialing for literacy coaches and to establish a math coaches program.
• Breakfast programs.
• the kitchen infrastructure and training program.
• The KID program is critical to the success of the School Meals for All program.
• Program, or KIT.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is for the broadband grants as well as adult career training programs.
• Paul's youth employment and training program.
• Uh I'm employment and training program.
• <00:59:57.599> programs youth internship and training programs youth internship and training
• Paul’s Right Youth Employment and Training Program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This training program is the first of its kind in the nation.
• This training program is the first of its kind in the nation.
• We've had a lot of interest outside of our program for people to get that training.
• We've had a lot of interest outside of our program for people to get that training.
• have to take 80 hours of training before they're allowed to take an exam through our program.

Bills: HF47, HF434, HF1503, HF1702

Keywords: telecommunications, installation, certification, safety, underground utilities, HF434, cervidae, deer, elk, moose, chronic wasting disease, CWD, wildlife importation, animal health, biosecurity, zoo, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, AZA, USDA exhibitor, species survival plan

Transcript Highlights:

• and related Office of Inspector General programs; from the Department of Education, programs from the
• We do have a new program.
• We do have a new program.
• they may be trained.
• through the training them to be trained through the training academy<01:04:14.799> or<01:04:14.960

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• of support to employers to develop their own employment-based dual training programs.
• I oversee the Dual Training Grant, which is a complement to the DLI Pipeline Program.
• of support to employers to develop their own employment-based dual training programs.
• It's a source of support to employers to develop their own employment-based dual training programs.
• training program that only costs training program that only costs $2,000<00:53:34.559> the

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And we also looked at access to rehabilitative programs and found that the specific programs available
• The programs DCYF offers include mental and behavioral health treatment, education, vocational training
• The programs DCYF offers include mental and behavioral health treatment, education, vocational training
• , and staff training.
• Yeah, I can speak to the training. Yeah, I can speak to the training piece.

Summary: The committee met on July 15, 2026, but initially lacked a quorum, so it could not adopt prior minutes. Chair Jerry Pollett welcomed new member Senator Victoria Hunt and new JLARC staff, and noted national recognition for recent JLARC reports. The meeting then moved into a series of preliminary audit presentations and an agency strategic management update, with committee members asking questions after each item. JLARC presented a preliminary audit of DCYF’s Juvenile Rehabilitation programs. Staff concluded that crowding, staffing shortages, weak risk assessments, and inconsistent programming combine to create unsafe conditions. The report found that most youth are housed in two large secure facilities operating near or above capacity, incidents rise as population rises, 47% of frontline staff leave within a year, current assessment tools are not valid for the population, and program access depends more on facility than individual need. JLARC made one recommendation to the legislature to address crowding and seven to DCYF, including improving retention, training, incident response procedures, validated assessments, program alignment, and data quality. DCYF Secretary Ross Hunter said the agency agreed overcrowding is a serious problem, described ongoing efforts to improve staffing and safety, and said a detailed response would be provided later. Committee members raised concerns about education access, retaliation against staff or youth who participated in the audit, and whether JR-25 has helped or worsened conditions. JLARC then presented a preliminary audit of Labor and Industries’ enforcement of farm worker labor laws. The audit found that L&I generally meets inspection timelines for health and safety complaints, but not for wage and hour or retaliation complaints, where delays are driven largely by time before assignment to an investigator. Staff said complaint volume exceeds capacity, though the agency has added staff, created screening processes, and reorganized workloads, and 2026 legislation now allows prioritization of complaints and broader investigations. JLARC recommended that L&I report back in December 2026 and December 2027 on backlog reduction and implementation of the new law. An L&I representative said the agency is hiring additional staff and will provide a formal response later. The committee also received a JLARC overview and Department of Health strategic management plan update on hospital data reporting, inspections, complaints, and adverse event reporting. DOH reported measurable progress on inspection compliance, new staffing and licensing systems, translated complaint forms, and plans for future work on language access, adverse event reporting, and financial data dashboards. After lunch, JLARC began its 2026 tax preference performance reviews. The first review covered the Main Street tax credit, which JLARC said has helped increase the number of Main Street communities and businesses, with positive growth near designated districts; JLARC recommended continuing the preference and improving business-count data. The second review covered the equitable access to credit program, which JLARC said appears to support underserved communities by funding loans through CDFIs; JLARC recommended continuing the preference beyond its 2027 expiration. The committee began questions on the program mechanics and the role of the Community Reinvestment Act, and the presentation was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• , cybersecurity trained graduates, ...able to leverage the production of cyber-trained, cybersecurity-trained
• this training.
• That's where our program leaders of established programs and one other important critical program staff
• describe and provide, and programs that the university, That programs describe and provide, and programs
• I would just like to say, just to what you're doing with the training of the workforce and the Grow program

Summary: The committee held its first meeting of the session and received an overview of the Higher Education Appropriations budget from staff director Tim Elwell. He explained the committee’s broad jurisdiction over universities, state colleges, district workforce programs, vocational rehabilitation, blind services, student financial aid, private colleges, and the Board of Governors, and reviewed key budget concepts such as local funds, funds per FTE, performance funding, and the distinction between the total appropriation and the recurring base budget. He noted that higher education is funded largely through state and local sources, with substantial flexibility compared with other state budgets, and that the base budget is heavily weighted toward lump-sum allocations to the public systems. The committee then heard a presentation from the University of South Florida’s Florida Center for Cybersecurity (Cyber Florida), led by retired Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie and USF representative Mark Walsh. They described Cyber Florida as a statewide cybersecurity platform created by the Legislature in 2014 to support education, research, workforce development, public policy, and community engagement. McKenzie emphasized the growing cyber threat environment, Florida’s leadership role, and several funded initiatives, including K-12 outreach, workforce training, a cyber range for county governments, critical infrastructure assessments, grant development, and public conferences and outreach. Members asked about public cyber awareness, the lack of a national cyber defense strategy, school district participation in Cyber Launch, and which counties are most at risk; McKenzie said smaller counties with limited cybersecurity staffing are generally more vulnerable and offered to provide follow-up information. Finally, the committee heard from the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities at the University of Central Florida, led by Dr. Drew Andrews, along with program and parent representatives from participating institutions. Andrews explained the center’s role in coordinating Florida’s postsecondary comprehensive transition programs for students with intellectual disabilities, supporting program development, distributing grants and scholarships, and monitoring outcomes. He reported that the state now has 33 approved programs at 35 institutions, including universities, state colleges, and technical colleges, and that scholarship and grant funding has grown significantly. He said student retention is about 88 percent, many graduates are employed, and median hourly earnings have increased over time. A representative from Southeastern University described how the center’s support helped build and sustain SEU Link, including a new third-year employment-focused option for students.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so primarily what we're doing with this program is pulling the asbestos out of the program, is
• and Training.
• Do you guys have any interaction as far as training and training standards, or can you do anything with
• that program in the last three years. probably haven't had anybody through that program in the last
• That's a good program. Thank you. Remember? That's a good program. Thank you.

Summary: The committee first reviewed the Division of Environmental Quality’s asbestos abatement program. DEQ officials explained that the program licenses asbestos-related workers and businesses, including contractors, workers, inspectors, planners/designers, consultants, air monitors, and training providers, under federal and state requirements. Members asked about asbestos use today, grant funding for removal, inspections funded by fees and fines, complaint handling, enforcement authority, and health risks. DEQ said some asbestos-containing products are still manufactured, grants have not been issued in over six years due to funding constraints, inspectors investigate complaints and can issue civil penalties or other enforcement actions, and exposure can cause asbestosis and mesothelioma. The report was accepted without objection. The committee then heard from the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training. Officials described the agency’s standards and training divisions, three basic academies, advanced training, and jail standards training. Members asked about recruitment, academy capacity, training costs, and curriculum changes. The commission said recruitment and retention are improving, basic academy enrollment is around 700 per year with capacity for about 725 to 750, training costs counties nothing because the state funds it, and basic training is being expanded from 528 hours to 705 hours with more practical instruction based on input from chiefs and sheriffs. Questions also covered detention officer training, school resource officer training, and whether other agencies are subject to the same standards. Officials said detention officers receive separate training, school resource officers have standalone training approved by the commission, and other law enforcement divisions such as the Department of Agriculture are held to the same standards. They also noted a Veterans to Law Enforcement program that allows eligible veterans to attend the academy without first being hired by an agency, with GI Bill support. The report was accepted without objection, and the meeting adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, we had a program where students, parents were in the program and did a seven-week training all
• We're adding a program in semiconductor training. We're adding a program in advanced manufacturing.
• Our programs are anywhere from 144 to 220 hours, as well as on-the-job training... ...as well as on-the-job
• Our roofing program is two. Our lineman program is three, and all our other programs are four.
• The Open Door funding enabled us to train 61 individuals in the CDL program, and that resulted in 100%

Summary: The Careers and Workforce Subcommittee met to discuss apprenticeship education and workforce development, with panelists from Santa Fe College, the Florida Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association, ABC East Coast/ABC Institute, and Piper Fire Protection. Members heard that apprenticeships are growing in Florida, with panelists emphasizing that these programs offer paid, tuition-free training, progressive wage increases, and strong job placement in high-demand fields such as HVAC, electrical, fire protection, and construction. Panelists also described efforts to expand into new areas like accounting, cybersecurity, network infrastructure, and surgical technology, while stressing the importance of aligning programs with employer demand. A major topic was funding and reimbursement. Panelists said the current model is complicated and often leaves providers with only a portion of the funds appropriated for apprentices, with one provider saying reimbursement can be as low as 44% and others describing caps, contract delays, and inconsistent CareerSource support. They argued that more of the money should reach training providers, that small businesses need more support to participate, and that transparency and contract reform could help expand enrollment and improve program quality. Several also raised barriers such as instructor approval rules, paperwork, and facility costs. Members asked about admission criteria, program costs, employer incentives, outreach to high school students, and whether apprenticeships should have greater access to other funding sources. Panelists said the main requirements are being employed and willing to work and learn, and that outreach through schools, career fairs, community partnerships, and public awareness campaigns is essential. They also discussed articulation agreements that can provide college credit for apprenticeship training and suggested statewide credit recognition and possible direct funding to providers as policy improvements. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with the subcommittee adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• solely dedicated to their training program.
• solely dedicated to their training program.
• solely dedicated to their training program.
• a freestanding clinic that is solely dedicated to their training program.
• Family medicine is a three-year training program and spans all age groups.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And in Florida, ABODs must work or participate in the SNAP Employment and Training program for at least
• The SNAP Employment and Training Program helps individuals receiving SNAP benefits register and participate
• Participation in a community service program and vocational education training.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program employment and training participation to include adults 18
• Through the Welfare Transition Occupational Skills Training Program, he earned four industry-recognized

Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee met to receive implementation briefings on House Bill 1267, which was enacted to address benefit cliffs and help public assistance recipients move toward economic self-sufficiency. The Department of Children and Families reviewed SNAP, Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), and Medicaid-related eligibility and work requirements, including who must participate in work activities, the role of Florida Commerce and CareerSource Florida, and the new standardized intake and exit surveys required by the law. Members also discussed the TCA program’s household-based structure, the 48-month adult limit, and how work requirements differ for SNAP and TCA participants. Florida Commerce and CareerSource Florida then reported on implementation of HB 1267, including the CLIFF financial forecasting tool, case management changes, and survey data collected from welfare transition participants. They said intake surveys showed common barriers such as child care, transportation, and flexible work schedules, while exit surveys showed many participants were employed or had gained credentials, though response rates were low because the surveys are voluntary. A local workforce board, CareerSource Tampa Bay, described using CLIFF in case management and shared a success story about a participant who completed training, earned certifications, and moved into employment. The committee also heard a separate DCF briefing on the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its impact on SNAP. DCF said the law expands able-bodied adult without dependents requirements, changes non-citizen eligibility, ends future SNAP-Ed funding, increases state administrative cost sharing, and may require states to share in benefit costs if payment error rates remain above federal thresholds. Members focused heavily on Florida’s SNAP payment error rate, which DCF said was 15.13% for federal fiscal year 2024 and 12.60% for 2023, with the state currently on a corrective action plan. DCF described steps to reduce errors, including more verification of rent and utility expenses, improved income matching, staff training, and system modernization. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Training for industry is a specific program with commerce that we operate.
• Training for industry is a specific program with commerce that we operate and we make sure that businesses
• training, what they used to be.
• to that program.
• program.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Four hundred training programs from around the state provide the approved 75 training hours.
• having the training programs administer the skills and knowledge tests.
• Applicants in these programs can take the tests on the last day of their training.
• in implementing testing into their 119 training programs across the state.
• doing testing within training programs.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee held a public hearing on the State Auditor’s Office performance audit of Washington’s Restoring Quality Home Care Initiative (I-1163). Auditors said the initiative’s background checks and 75-hour training requirement are widely viewed as safety measures, but the state lacks pre-2011 data to directly measure safety outcomes. They also found Washington’s long-term care workforce is still short, though the state ranks better than many others in workers per disabled person, and that some groups and regions have larger gaps between authorized and actually used Medicaid care hours, suggesting access problems for certain clients. The audit focused heavily on the certification process for home care aides. Auditors reported that many applicants never finish certification, that the process often exceeds the 200-day legal deadline, and that delays can cause lost income, job loss, and in some cases repeated employer changes that allow aides to keep working without becoming certified. They recommended that the Department of Health accept applications only after training and testing are completed, move testing into training programs more broadly, and eliminate redundant DOH verification of FBI background checks. Committee members asked about testing contract incentives, language access, and the role of immigration in workforce shortages; auditors said they found no financial performance standards in the Prometric contract, did not specifically study immigration status, and did not focus on language barriers in this audit. Department of Health and Department of Social and Health Services officials largely agreed with the audit’s findings and recommendations. They said they have already made improvements, including expanded in-program testing, more staffing, and rule changes, and that testing has been integrated into more than 110 training programs. DSHS noted testing is offered in 13 languages. Both agencies said they support further streamlining and expect continued collaboration, including possible budget or legislative requests. No public testimony was offered, and the committee adjourned without taking any vote or formal action on the audit.

Transcript Highlights:

• We continue training.
• <00:14:47.000> this parah and volunteer training this parah and volunteer training this training
• The training is so much easier to do, and this is very intense training.
• The training is so much easier to do, and this is very intense training.
• The training is so much easier to do, and this is very intense training.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all