Transcript Highlights:

• they not coming to school because they don't like school, are they not coming to school because they
• after school.
• after school.
• after school.
• after school.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Education held an informational/budget briefing with presentations from the State Library System, the School Facilities Authority, and the Department of Education. The chair opened the meeting by outlining the order of presentations and noting that members would hold questions until after all three agencies had testified. The discussion focused on each agency’s priorities for the upcoming biennium and their budget requests. State Librarian Stacy Aldridge described library usage and services, emphasizing strong demand for physical and digital materials, internet and Wi-Fi access, programs, Kanopy streaming, and PressReader. She highlighted digital literacy classes, RFID self-check and smart shelving improvements, and the role of libraries as community hubs. The library’s budget request included an additional $1.2 million for security guards, $48.484 million for FY 26-27 to support popup libraries during temporary closures and other needs, $500,000 for repair and maintenance, $2 million for Kap planning and design, and $25 million each year for lump-sum capital funding. Mallerie Fujitani said the lump-sum funding is needed to keep roughly 50 projects moving and to avoid delays in construction. School Facilities Authority Executive Director Ricky Fujitani explained the agency’s startup history and its programs for preschools, Central Maui schools, and workforce housing. He said the authority is using standardized, prefabricated, programmatic approaches to speed delivery and improve maintainability, citing prior preschool renovations as a successful model. He reported that of $389 million appropriated, $106 million was released, with $81 million for preschools, $20 million for Central Maui schools, and $5 million for workforce housing; he also noted the workforce housing program was reduced after Maui fire-related reallocations. He said the pilot workforce housing site at Mililani High School has been awarded and pointed to University of Hawaiʻi student housing projects as a model. Superintendent Hayashi then began the Department of Education presentation, introducing DOE leadership and outlining the department’s mission to support academic achievement, character development, and student well-being. He noted the department serves more than 152,000 students in 258 public schools and employs over 42,000 people, with nearly 54% of students facing significant challenges. He framed the budget request around the department’s strategic plan to prepare graduates for college, careers, or military service. The transcript ends during the DOE presentation, before any committee votes or formal actions are taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some exemplary school districts are, but establishing some standards of districts, some exemplary school
• school debate?
• But is, do you know of any reason why they chose just charter schools and not the other schools that
• And what I've heard the question asked three times now is: We have magnet schools... ...magnet schools
• that will be affected by this—school districts, public schools—are not here to defend themselves and

Committee: House Education

Summary: The House Education Committee heard Senate Bill 1336, a late-session education measure centered on civics, American history, and American government instruction in Idaho public schools. The bill’s sponsor and supporters said it is intended to codify and strengthen civics education ahead of America 250 by requiring instruction in core civic virtues, foundational documents, the principles of the U.S. republican form of government, and selected totalitarian ideologies. It also would require secondary students to take two credits each in American history and American government, add related English language arts instruction when appropriate, encourage patriotic curriculum materials, and allow the State Board of Education to grant exemptions to charter schools with unique missions. Dr. Samuel Lair and Greg Wilson of the State Department of Education testified that the bill largely aligns with recently adopted social studies standards and existing civics requirements, and that the language was developed after extensive stakeholder discussions. They emphasized that the bill is meant to provide statutory durability and broad guardrails rather than micromanage local curriculum. Several members raised concerns that the bill’s detailed requirements, especially the long list of documents and the English language arts component, could be too burdensome for schools and difficult to fit into existing high school schedules. Multiple representatives also objected to the charter-school exemption, arguing that alternative and magnet public schools with similarly unique missions should have access to the same relief. After debate, Representative Marmon moved to send Senate Bill 1336 as amended to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then took a roll call vote and the motion passed 8-6. Representatives Nelson, Pickett, Veeley, Matthias, and Galavis voted no, while the bill advanced to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:56.000><c> to</c> schools and the kids in those schools to schools and the kids in those schools
• </c><00:31:39.840><c> rural</c> school, a private school in rural school, a private school in rural communities
• Now that school workers won't be school.
• to incorporate one school becoming, say, the high school and another becoming elementary school.
• </c> from school board from Carlton Schools. from school board from Carlton Schools.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• STAR SCHOOLS.
• WE DO SEE SCHOOLS WHERE THERE IS QUITE OF WE ARE PROUD OF THE PURPLE STAR SCHOOLS.
• WE HAVE CURRENTLY 90 SCHOOLS IN OUR DISTRICT THAT ARE PURPLE STAR SCHOOLS.
• SO NOW WE HAVE 90 OF OUR SCHOOLS INCLUDING ONE PRIVATE SCHOOL AS A PURPLE STAR SCHOOL DISTINCTION.
• THE WHOLE SCHOOL.

Transcript Highlights:

• by a school district.
• Those schools are obviously no different than the other schools.
• Any school deemed a public school will be eligible for this funding.
• are public schools.
• You have the school district where the school district was the primary authorizer for charter schools

Committee: Senate Finance and Tax

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because I believe that charter schools or public schools, most public schools, when you do a brick-and-mortar
• So we've seen where an existing school—the enrollment of that existing school in St.
• And every day he sat down, he said charter schools are public schools.
• He said charter schools are public schools. That's how he started his committee.
• And so, you know, obviously charter schools are public schools.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Transportation Committee heard and advanced several bills dealing with roadway safety, utility relocation, emergency vehicles, motor vehicle services, charter school siting, and specialty license plates. SB 1782 by Senator Pizzo, as amended, would expand reckless driving per se to include certain extreme speeding behaviors and retain mandatory court appearance while removing impound language; it was supported by AARP and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and reported favorably. SB 818 by Senator McLean would streamline utility relocation for road and rail projects and shift certain relocation costs to the authority in some cases; county groups opposed it as an unfunded mandate, while Charter Communications supported it, and the bill was reported favorably after amendment. SB 1644 by Senator Rodriguez, as amended, would expand warning-signal privileges for volunteer firefighters, medical staff, and related vehicles responding to emergencies; it was reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1348 by Senator Trumbull, which revises Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and tax collector processes for title/document delivery, driver licensing, disabled parking permits, and related services; a strike-all removed penalties and some CDL retesting provisions, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 636 by Senator Martin would restrict use of the far-left lane on high-speed roads except for passing, exiting, move-over compliance, or traffic/environmental conditions, with a civil fine and DOT signage requirements; it was reported favorably. SB 1152 by Senator Arrington would raise the cost of the Florida Wildflower specialty license plate from $15 to $25 to generate more funding for wildflower research, education, and habitat programs; it was reported favorably. SB 1188 by Senator McLean, which would limit local government authority over charter school siting and concurrency-related restrictions, drew the most debate. Supporters argued local ordinances were being used to block or delay charter schools, while opponents said the bill would tie the hands of local governments and could create traffic and public-safety concerns. After extensive discussion, the bill was reported favorably, with recorded no votes from Senators Arrington and Davis. The committee also unanimously recommended confirmation of multiple appointments to transportation-related boards and authorities, including the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, Central Florida Expressway Authority, Jacksonville Port Authority, Jacksonville Transportation Authority, and Florida Transportation Commission.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> meant a cut to our schools each year. meant a cut to our schools each year.
• </c><00:56:30.319><c> where</c><00:56:30.559><c> I</c> the school offices in the school where I the school
• towards our schools.
• </c><01:03:55.200><c> district</c><01:03:55.760><c> school</c> had um that our school district school
• </c> in teacher prep school. in teacher prep school.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Schools in support.
• My child is in a Long Beach Unified School District elementary school.
• School sexual abuse is not only costing our schools, but...
• at school.
• School District.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard a series of bills focused largely on school safety, immigrant student protections, Holocaust and genocide education, civic engagement, and workforce pathways. SB 631 would expand the charter school revolving loan fund by increasing loan amounts and broadening eligibility, including for charter schools affected by natural disasters; it drew support from the Treasurer’s Office and the California Charter Schools Association and was advanced on a 4-0 vote, with the bill held on call. SB 472 would reinforce Holocaust, slavery, and genocide education requirements and create or expand teacher training and grants; it received strong support from survivors, educators, and Jewish organizations and passed 6-0, with several members asking to be added as coauthors. The committee also took up a package of immigration-related school bills. SB 48 would bar school officials from allowing immigration enforcement access to campuses without a judicial warrant and protect student records; it was backed by Superintendent Tony Thurmond, teachers, school districts, and many advocacy groups, and passed 5-0 to the Judiciary Committee. SB 98 would require K-12 schools and higher education institutions to notify campus communities when immigration enforcement is present; it also drew broad support from student groups, colleges, and education organizations and passed 3-0 to Higher Education, with the bill held on call. Both measures were presented as responses to recent immigration enforcement activity near schools and the chilling effect on attendance and student well-being. Other measures advanced included SB 848, which would strengthen protections against employee sexual misconduct in schools by updating safety plans, training, reporting, and misconduct tracking; it was supported by education groups and a survivor who described grooming at her high school, and passed 6-0 to Public Safety. SB 638 would create a statewide coordinating entity for education and workforce programs and support career pathways, with testimony emphasizing the need to align fragmented funding and improve access for underserved communities; it passed 7-0 to Higher Education. SB 316, on high school voter registration and pre-registration, passed 8-0 to Elections after testimony from students and civic engagement advocates, and SB 334, which would add sexual harassment prevention content and a Sexual Harassment Safety Week to school curriculum, was presented with support from student advocates and AAUW, with no opposition noted in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't think any school is going to be overrun with virtual school or virtual charter school or homeschool
• Before school, after school—probably not after school, because kids are headed somewhere else—but a lot
• during the school day?
• Before school, after school, probably not after school, because kids are headed somewhere else, but a
• So that could be before school. It might be after school.

Summary: The A&B Subcommittee on Education heard and advanced several bills, beginning with HB 4491, which would allow virtual charter, charter, and homeschool students to participate in extracurricular activities in their resident school district. The sponsor said the bill was intended to expand student opportunity and was still being worked on, especially on eligibility and proximity requirements. Members raised concerns about accreditation, fairness, and potential disruption, but the bill was reported out 8-2. The committee then approved HB 4146, which moves the state-paid maternity benefit for teachers to begin in a teacher’s first year of employment, and HB 4149, which grants up to 10 years of service credit for certain prior experience, including out-of-state or out-of-country teaching, active-duty military service, law enforcement, and firefighting. HB 4158 raised the income cap for O-TAG grant eligibility to $80,000, and HB 4159 allowed parents to request dyslexia screening after formative assessments at any time during the year, with notice from the State Department; both passed with little opposition. A more contentious debate surrounded HB 3242, which sought to clarify voluntary religious expression in schools and provide Attorney General guidance and legal protections for districts. Supporters argued it protected First Amendment rights and gave schools guardrails, while opponents warned it could expose schools to litigation, create power imbalances, and blur the line between voluntary student expression and school-sponsored religious activity. After debate, the bill passed 6-4. Finally, HB 3718 was heard to address delays in special education evaluations by starting the 45-school-day timeline from the date of request rather than the date of consent, with the sponsor citing families missing scholarship deadlines because evaluations took too long. Members discussed federal timing rules and district practices, and the bill passed 7-3. The chair closed by noting it was the subcommittee’s final House bill meeting of the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• In grade school, yes. >> Uh-huh. In grade school, not in college?
• </c> believe it's the school board. believe it's the school board.
• </c> what the school board, the local school what the school board, the local school boards boards boards
• All the schools are seeing increasing school meal debt.
• <01:05:30.680><c> students</c> school students school students the<01:05:32.080><c> school</c><01:05:

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is not only a middle school or high school issue.
• </c><00:15:20.800><c> those</c> school and high school building those school and high school building
• </c><00:33:34.600><c> to</c><00:33:34.760><c> the</c> school and summer school due to the school and
• > when</c><01:03:37.160><c> sudden</c> in school bills for schools when sudden in school bills for schools
• ><c> in</c> my school districts School District in my school districts School District in Hibbing<01:

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is the measure that proposes that all school districts and all private schools and all charter schools
• and other tribal schools.
• When a school chooses to operate the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, they
• student in their school.
• We have some schools.

Summary: The Legislative Management Committee met to address the fiscal impact of Initiated Constitutional Measure No. 3, which would require public schools, public school districts, and public charter schools to provide breakfast and lunch at no cost to students and allow reimbursement from the state, with implementation beginning in the 2027-28 school year. The committee first filled a vacancy created by Representative Jared Hagert’s resignation by appointing Representative Berg to the committee. Legislative Council and DPI staff explained the measure’s requirements, including federal reimbursement participation, possible use of the legacy earnings fund if other funding is unavailable, and the authority of the Legislature and superintendent of public instruction to clarify implementation details. Linnell Johnson of DPI testified that the estimated fiscal impact for the 2027-2029 biennium is between $124 million and $134 million, based on participation assumptions, federal reimbursement rates, and the extent to which schools continue to collect applications or use community eligibility/provision 2 options. She also noted a likely additional administrative cost of about $300,000 for DPI to operate the program. Members asked about school participation, Title I implications, special diets, staffing, and whether the measure could reduce federal reimbursements if families stop applying. Johnson said the estimate is uncertain and could be higher if applications decline, but that schools would still have incentives to participate in federal programs because of reimbursement and other funding ties. After discussion, the committee adopted a motion to report a fiscal impact range of $124,300,000 to $134,300,000 per biennium to the Secretary of State. The committee then received an informational update from Legislative Council attorney Dustin Richard on the ongoing redistricting litigation. He explained that the U.S. Supreme Court vacated the Eighth Circuit’s ruling and sent the case back for reconsideration in light of Louisiana v. Callais, while the district court-imposed map remains in effect for now. No action was taken on that update, and the meeting adjourned after members noted minutes from the prior meeting were not yet available for approval.

Transcript Highlights:

• , 7 at middle schools, and 5 at high schools.
• districts and charter schools.
• and to implement disciplinary action while in school, as opposed to removing from School.
• I've been thinking a lot about every school has an artist, every school has an engineer, every school
• They have night school, they have cram school, they have summer school, they have extra tutoring, and

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> additional school days. additional school days.
• </c> would in the school. would in the school.
• . 165 school years, many days we have. 165 school years, school<00:37:45.599><c> days</c><00:37:45.839
• , you know, school nephews to school, you know, school looks<00:52:24.559><c> different.
• > largely</c> to schools, but schools were largely to schools, but schools were largely unaware<02:08

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It is the measure that proposes that all school districts and all private schools and all charter schools
• and other tribal schools.
• When a school chooses to operate the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, they
• When a school chooses to operate the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, they
• We have some schools.

Committee: Joint Legislative Management

Summary: The Legislative Management Committee met to fill a vacancy created by Representative Jared Hagert’s resignation, and the House majority recommended Representative Berg to replace him on the committee. The motion to appoint Berg was approved unanimously. The committee then took up its assigned task of estimating the fiscal impact of Initiated Constitutional Measure No. 3, the school meals measure, which would require public schools, and optionally nonpublic and tribal schools, to provide breakfast and lunch at no cost to students and reimburse schools through state funds after federal reimbursements are maximized. Legislative Council’s Liz Fordall summarized the measure’s requirements and answered questions about implementation, including the 2027-28 start date, the measure’s interaction with the Legacy Earnings Fund, and the fact that the Legislature would still control the funding source. DPI’s Linnell Johnson then testified at length on current school meal programs, direct certification, CEP and Provision 2 participation, and likely behavioral changes if the measure passed. She estimated the biennial fiscal impact at $124 million to $134 million, with an additional roughly $300,000 in administrative costs, and explained that the estimate assumed higher participation and some schools shifting to CEP/Provision 2 to preserve federal reimbursements. She also noted that if no new applications were filed in non-CEP schools, the cost could be substantially higher. After discussion, Senator Sorvaag moved to report a fiscal impact range of $124,300,000 to $134,300,000 per biennium to the Secretary of State, and the motion carried. The committee also received an informational update from Legislative Council attorney Dustin Richard on the ongoing redistricting litigation, explaining that the U.S. Supreme Court vacated the Eighth Circuit’s prior ruling and remanded the case for further consideration in light of Louisiana v. Callais, leaving the court-imposed map in effect for now. No action was required on that item, and the meeting adjourned after a brief note that the prior minutes would be brought back at a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We manage three special schools, state special schools: two schools that serve deaf students and one
• California has 1,000 local K-12 school districts, 10,000 K-12 schools, and 1,300 charter schools.
• higher fixed schools.
• to small school.
• to small school.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• grounds or while engaged in school activities off school grounds during the day.
• on school grounds or while engaged in school activities off school grounds during the day.
• They're sent to school.
• They're sent to school.
• Will this be a requirement for charter schools and private schools as well? Thank you.

Committee: Senate Education Pre-K - 12

Summary: The Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee heard and advanced a series of education-related bills, beginning with SB 540, the Evan B. Hartzell Act, which would require age-appropriate disability history and awareness instruction across grade bands. The committee adopted a delete-all amendment, heard emotional testimony from Melissa Hartzell about her son Evan’s experience with disability and inclusion, and reported the bill favorably. The committee also passed SB 1296, creating a pilot study on school cellphone bans; SB 1590, creating a task force to review educator preparation, certification, and professional learning; SB 1702, a broad education bill with provisions on private school facilities, marching band credit, school readiness reimbursements, and charter school monitoring tools; SB 1150, exempting school social workers from certain certification testing requirements; SB 1708, revising School of Hope rules and adding a Miami-Dade co-location framework; SB 822, updating charter school governance and operations; SB 444, requiring annual human trafficking awareness training for school personnel; and SB 742, expanding workforce development and money-back guarantee programs. Most of these bills were amended before being reported favorably by committee vote. The committee also considered and reported favorably SB 8, a claims bill providing a $1.2 million settlement for Marcus Button and his family arising from a 2006 Pasco County school bus crash that caused severe lifelong injuries. Senator Gaetz opposed claims bills in general, arguing the sovereign immunity cap should be raised so such cases can be resolved locally. Several bills drew questions and debate over implementation details, including concerns about charter school dress and hair policies under SB 822, the scope of human trafficking training under SB 444, and the zoning implications of private school facility provisions in SB 1702. Sponsor responses generally emphasized that the bills were intended to clarify existing policy or improve student safety, access, or educational outcomes. The committee also took up confirmation appointments. It recommended confirmation of the slate of appointees on Tabs 12 and 14 through 21 by voice vote, and separately recommended confirmation of Daniel Fogunoli to the State Board of Education after debate in which Senator Davis and Senator Osgood opposed the appointment. The meeting concluded with members recording additional votes, including Senator Burgess’s affirmative vote on SB 1150, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The boys went on to high school, and they died while they were in high school.
• The boys went on to high school, and they died while they were in high school.
• school.
• Hillsdale College is just a wonderful school, a classical school in Michigan.
• Hillsdale College is just a wonderful school, classical school in Michigan.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• at their school sites.
• We have those at every school.
• schools or career industries.
• The thing that's going to fix schools is people. That's what's going to fix schools.
• with the people who are there in school and the Activities that they have there in school.

Transcript Highlights:

• So for the school year 24-25-26, the school grades will not change in scale. ...and 25-26, the school
• And they're in a school.
• Yes, they would because charter schools are public schools.
• into an A-rated school?
• And if a school is not an A, it should not be called an A school. It will be hard.

Summary: The Pre-K Through 12 Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and took up three bills, along with a brief budget conference-prep presentation. The first bill, CS/HB 1483 on school grading and student supports, would gradually align Florida’s school grading scale with the familiar A-F student grading scale over a 10-year glide path, add school report card transparency on the percentage of students reading at grade level, expand interventions for students with substantial reading and math deficiencies through VPK through grade 8, and create a competitive grant for diverse books in K-5 classrooms and libraries. Supporters argued the current school-grade scale is misleading and that the bill would improve transparency and supports; some members raised concerns about impacts on turnaround schools, community perception, and whether the bill adequately captures student gains. The bill passed 12-2 and was reported favorably. The committee then considered CS/HB 859 on the School Readiness Program, which revises the definition of “economically disadvantaged” for eligibility purposes. The bill originally moved from 150% of the federal poverty level to 65% of state median income, but three amendments were adopted to create a glide path and reduce fiscal impact by using 50% of state median income or 150% of poverty, whichever is greater, and by deleting an obsolete section. Public testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, emphasizing child care as workforce infrastructure and a lifeline for working families. The bill passed unanimously, 14-0, and was reported favorably. Finally, CS/HB 1607 on cardiac emergencies in schools would require AEDs in every Florida school, including charter schools, require CPR/AED training, and create a pulse-saving plan with rulemaking authority for the State Board of Education. Proponents cited alarming statistics about sudden cardiac arrest on campuses and argued that rapid AED access can save lives; supporters from the American Heart Association, PTA, and cardiology groups backed the measure. Members spoke in strong support, and the bill passed unanimously, 14-0, and was reported favorably. The meeting ended with a budget presentation explaining that House and Senate FY 2025-26 budget, appropriations project, and proviso side-by-sides had been distributed ahead of conference, followed by adjournment.