Transcript Highlights:

• Today we'll be talking about the Healthcare Workforce Dashboard that we've spent the last year developing
• We're working really hard to build that workforce.
• So, that's some of the housing developments.
• For workforce, one of our favorite issues here, right?
• There's $15 million for an 80-unit workforce development in Alamogordo. near Holloman, and $3.6 million

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, Governor Landry has, and Secretary McGinley have created the BOOT, which is a workforce development
• So, yes, it is confined to each economic development district.
• And we think this is just another model that, as we dig deeper and lean into the idea of developing workforce
• And we think this is just another model that, as we dig deeper and lean into the idea of developing workforce
• And I think this is a perfect partnership with what we're trying to do with workforce development.

Summary: The House Education Committee met on May 6 and first welcomed LSU President Wade Roos and Chancellor Jim Dalton, who outlined LSU’s goals of becoming an elite, accessible flagship university, increasing research expenditures, improving student recruitment and retention, and expanding pathways that keep Louisiana students in-state. Members praised the new leadership and LSU’s workforce and research direction, and a representative from LSU enrollment reported gains in TOPS Excellence commitments for the coming fall. The committee then advanced several education bills. SB 105 by Sen. Kathy, which reinstates TOPS Tech eligibility for honorably discharged veterans, was reported favorably without objection. SB 374, also by Sen. Kathy, creates a uniform framework for college economic development districts; members adopted an amendment adding a legislator to each district board, and the bill was reported favorably with amendments. SB 304 by Sen. Edmonds, which authorizes the Board of Regents to establish a list of eligible accreditors and allows institutions to seek different accreditors, was reported favorably. SB 522 by Sen. Edmonds, allowing vocational and technical charter schools to apply directly to BESE as Type 2 charters with Commerce and Industry support, drew discussion about whether the authority should extend to public schools as well; it ultimately passed 9-1. The committee also approved SB 290 by Sen. Abraham, a cleanup bill requiring school system concurrence before student exit-code changes in the data system, and HCR 81 by Rep. Freiberg, which asks the Department of Education to study options for districts facing declining enrollment and related financial pressures. HCR 175 by Rep. Larvadain, a study resolution on possible TOPS Tech changes, was deferred by the author because it overlapped with another measure. Several members also used personal privilege to welcome local mayors and community guests to the committee room.

Transcript Highlights:

• and Economic Development.
• and Economic Development.
• and Economic Development.
• and Economic Development.
• Commission for the Committee of Trade, Workforce and Economic Development.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also opens opportunity for workforce It also opens opportunity for workforce development.<00:
• My name is Christine Bolley, system director of workforce development.
• It establishes a workforce program approval committee within the Workforce Development Council.
• Um, Christine Baldi, uh, system director of workforce development.
• executive director from the workforce executive director from the workforce development<00:56:10.400

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met on February 13 and heard several bills, with most testimony focused on House Bill 2340, an emergency appropriation for the University of Hawaii to expand and sustain the Maui wildfire exposure study and Maui Health Registry. Supporters described the program as a critical, community-based response to the Maui fires that provides health screenings, mental health support, referrals, and workforce training. Testifiers said the study has identified serious health issues, including respiratory problems, heavy metal exposure, high blood pressure, diabetes, and anemia, and several emphasized that the program has saved lives and should be expanded to reach more children and underserved residents. Committee members also noted broad written support from medical, public health, and community organizations. The committee then heard House Bill 65, HD1, on human and community resilience, which would fund development of a Human and Community Resilience Institute. The dean testifying for the University of Hawaii said the institute would take a data-driven, community-based approach to food and nutritional security, especially given Hawaii’s high food insecurity rate and the loss of SNAP-related positions. House Bill 6005, also on the agenda, drew testimony in support from the Hawaii Farm Bureau and others, though the transcript excerpt does not include the bill’s full description. The committee also heard House Bill 1605, HD1, expanding the Hawaii National Guard state tuition assistance program to graduate degrees; the Department of Defense, Hawaii Army National Guard, and University of Hawaii supported it, and members clarified that it is a state program separate from the federal GI Bill, though it may sometimes be combined depending on eligibility. Later, the committee heard House Bill 1967, HD1, on permitting workforce development, which would implement recommendations of the speed task force by creating a permitting workforce pipeline with community colleges and coordinating with state and county permitting agencies. The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and the University of Hawaii supported the measure. House Bill 2139, HD1, on invasive species, would fund research on treatment methods for the Queensland Longhorn Beetle; DLNR, the Farm Bureau, CGAPS, University of Hawaii at Hilo researchers, farmers, and others supported it, citing damage to native trees, culturally important plants, and crops such as cacao, and noting promising early results from nematode biocontrol trials. The final bill heard was House Bill 2383, HD1, establishing a statewide workforce PELL grant framework for short-term training programs; the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the Workforce Development Council, and the University of Hawaii testified, and a committee discussion followed about how responsibilities would be divided among DIR, WDC, and the governor’s certification role. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The university plays a huge role in opportunity, workforce development, and community growth for first-time
• development, and economic growth.
• The state college system is one of Florida's most effective tools for workforce development and economic
• development, and community needs intersect.
• Overall, my vision for FAU is thoughtful, sustainable growth—growth that supports workforce development

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to consider a large slate of confirmations and reappointments to boards of trustees for Florida’s colleges, universities, and the Florida Prepaid College Board. Chair Harrell opened by emphasizing the importance of trustee appointments to maintaining Florida’s higher education system, and the committee heard brief testimony from each nominee about their background, ties to the institution, and priorities such as student success, workforce alignment, fiscal stewardship, and community partnerships. Several nominees highlighted personal connections to their schools, including alumni status, family legacy, or prior service on the board, while others emphasized experience in business, law, education, health care, or public service. Testimony focused heavily on workforce development and institutional growth. Speakers cited nursing, dual enrollment, applied programs, military and veteran support, broadband access, agriculture, law enforcement, and technical training as key areas for colleges to meet regional labor needs. University nominees discussed research expansion, affordability, strategic planning, and partnerships with industry and government, with Florida Atlantic, Florida Polytechnic, the University of West Florida, and the University of South Florida each described as being in periods of growth or transition. Miami-Dade College, Tallahassee State College, Polk State College, and other state colleges were praised for enrollment, economic impact, and job placement outcomes. The committee also heard from the Florida Prepaid College Board reappointee, who described the program as a long-term promise backed by public trust and reported recent technology and customer-service improvements. After testimony, the committee took up the nominations as a group. One nominee, Drew Weatherford, had withdrawn and was not voted on. The remaining trustees were approved unanimously by roll call and reported favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• > Workforce<01:21:32.480> Development contribute to Workforce Development contribute to Workforce
• development program, and this funding will directly support our Workforce Development Training Center
• this Workforce Development program and this Workforce Development program and this funding<01
• Development Training Center Workforce Development Training Center all<01:42:59.719> these<01:
• <03:33:45.840> development<03:33:46.399> program America Workforce development program

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Finance informational briefing on grants and aids was held February 14 and was organized as a high-volume public testimony session with strict procedures: no Q&A, one representative per applicant, one minute per testimony, in-person testimony first, and then Zoom participants. The chairs also announced a recess at 11:00 a.m. for floor sessions and a reconvening at 1:00 p.m. Testimony was heard first from neighbor island applicants, then Oʻahu applicants, with members repeatedly directing speakers to line up and keep remarks brief. Neighbor island testimony focused on a wide range of capital and operating requests. Health and community projects included Hawaii Island Community Health Center’s workforce housing in Kau, Wuli Hawaiian Homestead Association’s learning center and predevelopment work, Rescue Tube Foundation’s beach rescue tube expansion, Puna Community Medical Center’s planned hospital/ER campus, Maui Humane Society’s free veterinary care after the wildfires, Hawaiʻi Care Choices’ palliative care readiness, and the Lyman Museum’s HVAC replacement. Other requests included the Maui Advanced Manufacturing Alliance’s Pāʻia Mill redevelopment, Laua 2020’s preschool and learning lab, Mālama Aina’s USDA-compliant meat processing facility, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association’s water safety programs, Kaha P Organization’s agriculture education support, Ohana Arts’ youth performance project, Friends of the Children’s Justice Center’s emergency closet, EOA Pacific’s Marshall Islands teacher training, and the Central Pacific Youth Athletic Club’s new facility. Oʻahu testimony included the YWCA Oʻahu/Pythink Center’s renovation of Juliet M. Atherton Hall and its community kitchen, West Oʻahu Community Health Center’s wildfire protection and security needs, the Early School’s playground improvements, Surfing the Nations’ food distribution center expansion, and Sounding Joy Music Therapy’s weekly services for people with disabilities. Speakers generally emphasized community benefit, workforce development, health access, food security, disaster recovery, and support for children, seniors, and underserved populations. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:15:35.880> Development education and Workforce Development education and Workforce Development
• effective sources of Workforce effective sources of Workforce Development<01:19:13.560> funding
• She said this is great for community development, economic development, workforce development, Minnesota
• She said this is great for community development, economic development, workforce development, Minnesota
• development this is great for Workforce development this is great for Workforce but<01:42:12.880

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an immediate workforce gap, and workforce development alone is not enough.
• can<00:10:24.160> you workforce development, but but can you workforce development, but but
• This is an immediate workforce gap, and workforce development alone is not enough.
• economic workforce development and our economic workforce development and our economic development
• used<00:21:23.200> for workforce development fund are used for workforce development fund

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We do a lot of work with tribes right now, and there's a great need for workforce development in the
• So my point that I'm making is: is this going to be available in areas that we need also workforce development
• He said workforce development is the key, and that this is a workforce development issue that is a problem
• development.
• The workforce shortage is happening in New Mexico.

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The House Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee met with a quorum and first addressed a point of order over whether HB 270 could be heard after being taken up earlier in the Transportation Committee. The chair ruled the bill could proceed because it was assigned to this committee and had been properly noticed. The committee then heard HB 280, which would create a three-year pilot program to support paid student internships through grants administered by the Department of Workforce Solutions. Supporters said the bill would help fund internships, mentoring, and transportation, and could improve workforce development, graduation outcomes, and pathways into apprenticeships or higher education. Members asked about administrative costs, student selection, rural and tribal access, payment mechanisms, and whether public entities, land grants, and dual credit could be included. The bill sponsor and witnesses said the program would likely serve about 100 students, use a sliding-scale matching model, and allow local flexibility in program design. The committee voted due pass on HB 280. The committee then heard House Memorial 46, honoring the Hurley family and especially Major General Patrick Hurley and his son Wilson Hurley for military service and artistic contributions in New Mexico. The memorial was presented as a tribute to a family of heroes, and members expressed support. The committee voted due pass on the memorial. Finally, the committee heard HB 270, which would amend the Public Works Apprentice and Training Act to require contributions to apprenticeship and training programs on most public works projects, including road and utility work, while exempting trades without approved programs. Sponsors said the bill would close loopholes, broaden participation, and strengthen the workforce pipeline. Opposition came from asphalt, contractor, and utility groups, which argued the bill would raise costs, duplicate existing training programs, and create access problems for nonunion and geographically distant contractors. Supporters from mechanical contractors, building trades, and labor groups said the bill would improve workforce development and keep training dollars in New Mexico. After debate over the earlier Transportation Committee action and the bill’s cost impacts, the committee voted due pass on HB 270 by a 5-3 roll call.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's IEDC. development. Um now, back under my development.
• The Council of State Governments, workforce development boards, regional planning commissions, and multi-county
• <02:07:25.280> The<02:07:25.440> Worth workforce development.
• The Worth workforce development.
• Uh goes through research, workforce Uh goes through research, workforce development,<02:07:36.719

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:09.039> initiatives some economic development initiatives some economic development
• He's a land development specialist.
• As a result, when you compare the costs associated with workforce development in the construction sector
• workforce And then overall workforce infrastructure<00:10:08.880> grants,<00:10:09.360> if
• So, those development plan approvals.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from Northern Kentucky building industry representatives Brian Miller and Matt Mains on housing affordability and construction workforce issues. They argued that regulatory and code requirements add significant cost to new homes, citing an estimate of nearly $94,000 per home nationally and $15,000 to $20,000 per home in Boone County over the past decade. They recommended reforms to building code adoption, architectural design mandates, permit fees and delays, and setback/land dedication rules, saying these changes could reduce costs by $25,000 to $35,000 per home without affecting public safety. They also discussed workforce training efforts through the Enzwe Building Institute, dual-credit programs, apprenticeship incentives, and workforce grants, saying these efforts have helped hold wage growth below regional trends and improve housing affordability. Committee members asked about the breakdown of regulatory costs, the effect of energy codes, and ways to speed up permitting. The presenters said the costs were roughly split among federal, state, and local requirements, with local regulations adding about $25,000 to $35,000 and some energy-code changes adding about $19,000 per home. They said faster plan review, coordination with the Kentucky Division of Water, and addressing municipal staffing shortages could cut 30 to 45 days from approvals. Members also discussed the difficulty of building starter homes under about $350,000 and the need for more missing-middle housing, with the presenters saying such homes are hard to produce without sacrificing quality. The committee then took up Representative Kim Moer and Dr. Dale Bertram’s discussion of marriage and family therapist licensing and healthcare workforce data reporting. They explained that the bill would allow Kentucky to recognize out-of-state marriage and family therapists who meet licensure requirements, have no disciplinary history, and have passed the national exam, in order to reduce barriers and address provider shortages, especially in rural areas. They also described a separate workforce data reporting section that would require licensure boards to collect consistent information on where licensees practice and whether they are actively seeing patients, including through telehealth, so the state can better understand its healthcare workforce. Members supported the portability idea, noted that some qualified applicants are currently working in Indiana instead of Kentucky, and asked whether the data collection could be handled administratively; the sponsors said the bill would create consistency across boards. The committee also briefly discussed occupational board updates and the need for stronger communication between legislators and licensing boards, including architecture licensure issues and efforts to recruit more professionals.

Transcript Highlights:

• So there is CTE workforce development.
• can have additional workforce can have additional workforce development<00:24:03.039> across<
• It cheats the workforce development fund.
• It cheats the workforce payroll taxes. It cheats the workforce development<01:56:07.639> fund.
• If you're in workforce development.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill before us is the budget for the Workforce Labor and Economic Development Committee, otherwise
• Target both the first biennium and the tails, and a prohibition on the use of the Workforce Development
• We can have additional workforce development across the state.
• We have been a hub of research and development. We have an educated workforce.
• It cheats the Workforce Development Fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• This program is similar to the existing Workforce and Affordable Home Ownership Development Program,
• This program is similar to the existing Workforce and Affordable Home Ownership Development Program.
• Investing in Black Workforce Development, that's another opportunity, and it's a return on the investment
• Investing in Black Workforce Development, that's another opportunity, and it's a return on the investment
• Investing in Black Workforce Development, that's another opportunity, and it's a return on the investment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• development programs, and mental health experts.
• development programs, and mental health experts.
• And I will make a nod to my workforce.
• development account or fund.
• We've just had a little bit of a delay around the workforce development fund, which we're hoping to have

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The second item on there is for short line rail development.
• And our workforce is having to choose the alternatives or stepping out of the workforce altogether.
• The workforce of today depends on it and the workforce of tomorrow is waiting.
• TWC knows the We were part of a plan that was developed to help stabilize the child care workforce and
• Now, with the governor and the legislature setting out to increase career. training and workforce development

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• development and student success.
• One, our workforce development in conjunction with the local economy and industry, major players within
• So first and foremost, a big goal is continued enhancement of workforce development.
• And with that comes additional demands from our workforce perspective.
• And our local workforce with AdventHealth.

Summary: The committee first heard CS/SB 270, which would extend Bright Futures eligibility by 12 months for certain students whose parent was serving overseas in public service and then retired, giving military and diplomatic families more time to return to Florida without losing scholarship eligibility. Senator Burgess also explained a late-filed amendment to set the bill’s effective implementation for the 2025-26 school year, and the committee adopted the amendment without objection. The bill received supportive testimony, including from Senator Smith, and was reported favorably by a roll call vote. The remainder of the meeting focused on confirmation hearings for appointees to state college boards of trustees, with the chair emphasizing a new process of hearing from each nominee individually rather than taking a blanket vote. Nominees from Tallahassee State College, St. Johns River State College, South Florida State College, Broward College, State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, Palm Beach State College, Pasco-Hernando State College, and Valencia College described their backgrounds and priorities, which largely centered on workforce development, nursing and health sciences, dual enrollment, fiscal responsibility, student retention, and partnerships with local employers and communities. Several nominees highlighted their own educational or professional ties to the colleges, and some noted the importance of serving rural or military-connected communities. One nominee, John Aloko for Pasco-Hernando State College, was not present because he was attending a conference in Hawaii and was deferred to a later hearing. After hearing all other nominees, the committee voted to recommend confirmation of the remaining appointees in a block vote, covering Tabs 2 through 22 except Tab 8, and the motion passed. Two members later asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on earlier items.

Transcript Highlights:

• House File 110 ... ...driving for workforce and economic development program that leads to stable employment
• Beyond workforce development, HAP is a CDFI, a community development financial institution that fuels
• <00:04:59.120> programs 3,000 motans in Workforce programs 3,000 motans in Workforce programs
• $202 per hour Beyond Workforce $202 per hour Beyond Workforce Development<00:05:21.960> hap
• hap is a cdfi a community Development hap is a cdfi a community development<00:05:24.680> financial

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• White, William White, who is our career and workforce development director, along with Claude Mentot,
• We've developed a really robust internship program.
• So what does our current landscape look like for workforce right now?
• And we already know we have an aging workforce.
• Economic development and recruitment has been very successful in Mobile.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It might look like temporary employment through our workforce development program.
• ,<00:32:51.919> including and aid in their development, including and aid in their development
• Released last week called A Workforce Solution That Works: How Child Care Can Close Kentucky's Workforce
• it's a very very thorough plan developed it's a very very thorough plan developed by<01:09:16.319
• And so what we're childare workforce.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its July 30, 2025 meeting. Members then heard a presentation from Roger McCann of the Department for Community Based Services on Kentucky’s 2026-2027 Community Services Block Grant state plan. He explained that the federally funded grant, now about $12 million annually, is distributed through 23 local community action agencies that use flexible funds for locally identified needs such as housing, nutrition, transportation, Head Start, and domestic violence services. McCann said the plan is submitted every two years and that the agencies served about 264,000 Kentuckians and 130,000 families in 2024. Senator Meredith asked whether there was a central place to review local projects, and McCann said regular reports exist and could be shared with members. The committee then approved the CSBG state plan by roll call vote. After that, members received an update on Kentucky’s state-designated domestic violence shelter programs from Angela Yanelli of ZeroV, Mary Foley of Maryman House Domestic Crisis Center, and Elizabeth Martin of the Center for Women and Families. The presenters described ZeroV’s role as the statewide domestic violence coalition, its 15 member programs across all area development districts, and its contract with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to provide emergency shelter, supportive services, housing assistance, and batterers intervention programming. They emphasized that services are available 24/7 and are trauma-informed, with a strong focus on children and family support. The domestic violence providers reported high demand and rising costs. ZeroV said its network served more than 14,000 adults and children in fiscal year 2025, including nearly 900 children in shelter and more than 500 in outreach, while Maryman House reported operating at 90-92% capacity, with 53 households waiting for emergency shelter and 63 more waiting for intake. Maryman House also described an 8-unit transitional housing complex and plans for a 48-unit apartment complex if tax credit funding is approved. The Center for Women and Families highlighted school-readiness support for children, tutoring, counseling, and family services, including back-to-school supplies and rights information for homeless students. No additional votes or formal actions were taken during the domestic violence presentations.