Transcript Highlights:

• I think that there was a dollar amount that's associated with that: 35, we estimate that cost at 35.
• But that's the total amount that we're estimating it would cost to essentially true up the circuits.
• And we picked that number because of just the dollar amount.
• And that would be in the amount of $180,000 for CCRC North.
• And that is in the amount of $281,780.

Summary: The committee met for an interim appropriations presentation hearing focused on justice administration agencies. Members heard budget requests from the State Attorney’s Office, Public Defenders, the Justice Administrative Commission, Regional Conflict Counsel, Capital Collateral Regional Counsel, and the Guardian ad Litem Office, followed by a presentation from the Department of Juvenile Justice and a brief public comment from a nonprofit advocate. The chair noted that presentations from the Department of Law Enforcement and the Commission on Offender Review would be moved to a later meeting. The state attorney requested funding to true up underfunded circuits under the existing formula, staff 14 new criminal judgeships, replace declining VOCA victim-services funding with general revenue, and cover a projected due process shortfall. The public defender asked for a higher starting salary for assistant public defenders, funding to restore balance in circuits where public defenders lag behind state attorneys, and staffing for new criminal judgeships. Regional conflict counsel and capital collateral regional counsel also sought salary adjustments, additional attorneys and case costs, and competitive area differential funding to address recruitment and retention issues. The Justice Administrative Commission requested funding for Florida PALM readiness and implementation and for IT hardware and software replacement; it also relayed a clerks’ request for reimbursement related to injunctions for protection, Baker Act, Marchman Act, and sexually violent predator cases. The Guardian ad Litem Office said it now has a guardian ad litem for every child in Florida and requested salary increases for senior and managing attorneys to reduce turnover. The Department of Juvenile Justice presented a much larger budget request to expand residential and detention capacity, increase per diem rates, renovate and replace aging facilities, fund the Broward detention center rebuild, improve cybersecurity and the juvenile information system, and cover rising lease costs. Members asked questions about staffing, compensation, detention and residential treatment needs, mental health and substance-use services, and the Broward project timeline. A nonprofit advocate then asked for better data collection on protection orders and related court actions to support funding for domestic violence and recovery services. The committee adjourned without taking any formal votes on the budget requests.

Transcript Highlights:

• as in addition to the base amount?
• So, the amount, the costing of it, and uh that's our purpose here.
• It's all based on the amount building.
• <01:40:11.920> up<01:40:12.159> to<01:40:12.400> $60,000 amount up to $60,000 amount
• they have to be able to take on x amount they have to be able to take on x amount extra<01:47:45.280

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The commission to study the cost of special education met, confirmed a quorum, introduced members and guests, and approved the minutes from the October 29 meeting. Members noted the commission’s mandate under Senate Bill 57 and emphasized the need to focus on recommendations and findings by July 1, 2026. The chair also distributed additional handouts, including materials related to the Education Freedom Account (EFA) program and administrative rules tied to differentiated aid and disability determinations. The main discussion centered on how students qualify for differentiated aid under the EFA program. Matt Sutherton of the Children’s Scholarship Fund explained that the organization, which contracts with the state to administer EFAs, accepts either school-district/IEP documentation or a medical certification of disability (MCD) from a licensed medical professional. Members questioned how this process relates to the state’s special education rules and whether the school-district examiner standards in ED 107/1107.04 apply to EFAs. Sutherton said the MCD form, created with the department, requires the medical professional to sign that they are qualified to make the determination and to identify the disability. Several members expressed concern that the EFA process is less rigorous than the school-district IEP process and may be inflating disability counts. One member argued that the administrative rules cited are primarily for school districts, not EFAs, and said the Department of Education may not know how many of the roughly 890 EFA students receiving differentiated aid came through school-district documentation versus the MCD pathway. Another member said the EFA system appears more generous than the school system and raised concerns about oversight, auditing, and whether the program’s data are accurate. Sutherton said the organization reviews signed documentation, credentials, and diagnosis information, and may request additional records to help adjudicate expenses. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the prior minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the dollar amounts you see there are sort of reflective of that 3%.
• So the dollar amounts you see there are sort of reflective of that 3%.
• The dollar amounts you see there are sort of reflective of that 3%.
• of money that they will receive from the state and then distribute out to individual grants, such as
• of money that they will receive from the state and then distribute out to individual grants, such as

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:57.680> of know that there's a finite amount of know that there's a finite amount of
• It's a more equitable resource distribution.
• <00:29:04.200> in curriculum that was distributed in curriculum that was distributed in October
• I mean, we all know that it delays the amount of time that we see results.
• <00:59:51.240> of know that um it delays the amount of know that um it delays the amount of

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know we did a good amount of work in the House on some of that workforce diploma language and adjusting
• It has been distributed, and I do move for its adoption. Is there any discussion on it?
• It has been distributed, and I do move for its adoption. Any discussion?

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Director Clee: That is a significant amount of information.
• So, a very, very small amount. Next slide please.
• There were less than 20 of those of more than 1300 local projects, so a very, very small amount.
• But we should make hard fast rules if this is not funded to a certain amount.
• We limit the amount of change orders that we require.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the next steps for us because what we have just gone through was the first phase of the first amount
• This means that not only do we administer It for that amount, but we also, if we decide, if the Commission
• And do these projects carry any proportion of the transmission and distribution costs?
• Maintaining these transmission and distribution grids. Madam Chair, Senator, I invite us to follow.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, experts estimate that the amount of money lost to wage theft exceeds the amount of money stolen in
• The Texas Workforce Commission will distribute around $80 million in Federal Workforce Innovation and
• Uh, those dollars are distributed to the 28 local workforce development boards to help opportunities

Transcript Highlights:

• amounts appropriated by the legislature. amounts appropriated by the legislature.
• Can you talk about how that grant is used and how it's distributed to counties?
• <01:41:26.160> to used and how it's distributed to used and how it's distributed to counties
• <01:41:40.880> And How is it distributed to counties?
• And How is it distributed to counties?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Would you please send that to me to distribute to the committee? Yes, Madam Chair. Thank you.
• Madam Chair, I'll send it to the chair to distribute to the committee. Perfect. Thank you.
• So when you look at that increased amount of volatility that exists in China, that risk, coupled with
• So when you look at that increased amount of volatility that exists in China, that risk, coupled with
• When you reduce, What that does is that reduces the amount of contributions that are made.

Summary: The Government Operations Subcommittee met with a quorum and began with member introductions and remarks from the chair emphasizing the committee’s focus on government efficiency, accountability, and oversight of executive branch agencies. Members shared their districts and backgrounds, with several noting hurricane recovery in their communities and a shared interest in reducing bureaucracy and improving service to Floridians. The committee’s only presentation was from Chris Spencer, Executive Director of the State Board of Administration, who gave an overview of the SBA’s governance structure, investment responsibilities, and divestment policies. He explained the SBA’s management of more than $257 billion in assets, including the Florida Retirement System, the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, and Florida PRIME, and reviewed the Protecting Florida’s Investments Act restrictions covering Northern Ireland, Cuba, Venezuela, Israel, Sudan, Iran, and China. He also described the implementation of HB 7071, including the required divestment from direct holdings in Chinese companies, and said the SBA had reduced its direct Chinese holdings from 33 companies totaling over $172 million to 13 companies totaling about $64 million, with completion expected ahead of the September 1, 2025 deadline. Members asked detailed questions about the Israel boycott list, Morningstar and MSCI, how the SBA gathers information, whether Cuba’s federal designation changes affect Florida law, how companies are removed from scrutinized lists, and whether divestment timing could affect returns. Spencer said the SBA uses public and paid research sources, gives companies a 90-day cure period in some cases, and brings list changes to the trustees for approval. He also explained that the China benchmark change is intended to reduce passive exposure while still allowing active investment decisions, and said the PFIA restrictions have had a modestly positive overall effect on pension performance. The chair also asked about the Florida Retirement System funded ratio and the CAT Fund’s capacity; Spencer said the pension fund is at 80.7% funded, that actuarial assumptions are reviewed regularly, and that the CAT Fund currently has more than $10.5 billion in liquid claims-paying capacity and is expected to remain well positioned for hurricane losses. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the amount that would be distributed in aid equals the amount shown in the fiscal note, which I believe
• So, the amount that would be distributed<00:40:02.400> in<00:40:02.720> aid<00:40:03.520
• > equals<00:40:04.240> the<00:40:05.119> amount distributed in aid equals the amount
• distributed in aid equals the amount shown<00:40:06.320> in<00:40:06.560> the<00:40:06.640
• Alpha's amount is 18,472. Alpha's amount is 18,472.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As introduced, HB 224 would increase the amount of funds to the Department of Human Resources Trust Fund
• . a transfer up the amount of $16 million. a transfer up to<00:21:56.880> $22,137,949 Uh, from
• Fund to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs in the amount of $30 million and to
• Fund to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs in the amount of $30 million and to
• Fund to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs in the amount of $30 million and to

Bills: SB146, SB143, SB144, SB145, HB224, SB152, SB153, SB154, SB162, SB226, SB146, SB143, SB144, SB145, HB224, SB152, SB153, SB154, SB162, SB226

Keywords: supplemental appropriation, FY2025 budget, general fund, Alabama State Board of Public Accountancy, Unified Judicial System, court automation, advanced technology and data exchange, judiciary funding, transportation debt service, highway bonds, bridge bonds, Alabama Department of Transportation, ALDOT, public highways, federal matching funds, state appropriations, bond principal and interest, special funds, budget amendment, SB143

Transcript Highlights:

• With the excessive amount of workload and the go, go, go, go, go of that warehouse and these quotas that
• Unfortunately, in 1992, the state average weekly wage went up, and that then reduced the amount that
• who took a concrete saw to the face and the gentleman with a small scar are entitled to the same amount
• Secondly, I want to draw attention to the inequitable distribution of immigrant and low-income workers
• , and Secondly, I want to draw attention to the inequitable distribution of immigrant and low-income

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a lengthy hearing on June 18 focused on workers’ compensation, independent contractor and classification issues, workplace safety, warehouse worker protections, extreme temperature protections, retaliation against injured workers, and workplace bullying. Committee chairs outlined procedures for the hybrid hearing and noted that members would be leaving intermittently for floor votes. Testimony also touched on a bill to expand workers’ compensation disfigurement benefits by removing the current $15,000 cap and extending coverage beyond scars on the hands, neck, and face. A major theme was workplace safety in warehouses and in extreme heat or cold. Teamsters, warehouse workers, and labor advocates described high injury rates, strict quotas, lack of water, inadequate ventilation, frozen or missing safety equipment, and pressure to work through heat waves and snowstorms. Supporters urged favorable reports on bills protecting warehouse workers and requiring employers to adopt heat- and cold-safety plans, while the NFIB opposed the temperature bill as overly prescriptive and burdensome for small businesses. Sen. Edwards, Sen. Roche, Rep. O’Day, and others argued that the measures are needed to prevent heat illness, provide shade, water, rest breaks, training, and emergency plans, and to cover all workers regardless of immigration status. Another major subject was the “Act to Protect Injured Workers,” backed by labor groups, immigrant worker centers, legal services organizations, and individual workers. Witnesses said employers often retaliate after injuries by threatening deportation, lying about how injuries occurred, delaying care, or firing workers, and they supported stronger anti-retaliation enforcement, multilingual notices, and a rebuttable presumption of retaliation within 90 days of protected activity. The Mass AFL-CIO and immigrant advocacy groups supported the bill and opposed measures they said would weaken employee classification standards. Testimony also supported a funeral-benefits bill to raise workers’ compensation death-benefit reimbursement for burial and funeral costs, based on a family’s experience after a workplace fatality. The committee heard additional testimony on workplace bullying bills, with some witnesses urging a new legal duty for employers to prevent and respond to bullying, while others described the harms of toxic workplaces and the lack of effective remedies.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are almost a limitless amount of infrastructure needs at our campuses, certainly at the CSUs as
• As far as specific amounts, we have bonding capacity, as you well know; we cannot have an infinite amount
• No, we cannot have an infinite amount of dollars assigned to this.
• It requires jurisdictions to distribute a meaningful share of multifamily and lower-income housing.
• It requires jurisdictions to distribute a meaningful share of multifamily and lower-income housing in

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development heard a long agenda focused mainly on housing production, higher education facilities, homelessness, and permitting reform. Early items included AB 6, which would direct HCD to convene a working group on allowing three- to ten-unit “missing middle” housing to be built under the Residential Code rather than the Building Code; AB 48, a higher education bond proposal that would fund campus repairs, modernization, disaster recovery, and student/employee housing; and AB 76, which would clarify a Chula Vista university innovation district exemption so the project can include academic buildings and housing without conflicting with surplus land rules. Supporters emphasized affordability, cost savings, student housing needs, and access to education, while members raised questions about implementation, affordability requirements, and project scope. The committee later took votes on these items, with AB 6, AB 48, and AB 76 all moving forward on unanimous or near-unanimous votes to Appropriations. Members also heard AB 595, which would create a state homeownership tax credit pilot to support affordable for-sale housing. The author and supporters argued that California’s homeownership rate is at historic lows and that the bill would help close racial wealth gaps by financing homes working families can buy. The committee approved AB 595 and sent it to Appropriations. The consent calendar, including several other housing-related bills, was also approved unanimously. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to AB 1165, the California Housing Justice Act of 2025, which would require ongoing state investment and a financing plan to address homelessness and housing affordability. The author and witnesses described the scale of homelessness, the limits of one-time funding, and the need for sustained, accountable funding streams. After testimony from housing advocates and people with lived experience, the committee passed AB 1165 on a 10-0 vote to Appropriations. Finally, the committee heard AB 609, a CEQA reform bill that would create a simplified exemption for qualifying infill housing projects in already developed areas. Supporters framed it as a targeted way to reduce delays and costs for housing near jobs and transit, while opponents from environmental justice, labor, and tribal groups warned it could reduce public participation, weaken protections for disadvantaged communities, and create consultation concerns for tribal cultural resources. The author said the bill would not change zoning or affordability tools and would continue to work with opponents on amendments. The bill was moved forward after extensive discussion, with members noting ongoing negotiations on tribal consultation and labor concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• In February of '24, we did the '24 engagement, and they only paid 67% of the required amount.
• Subsequently, the amount due to the street fund has been completely repaid.
• One is the dollar amounts we're looking at. And second, I'm living in Pulaski County.
• The statement just gives the dollar amount and the vendor.
• amount.

Summary: The committee approved the February 12 minutes and received updates on delinquent municipal water and sewer reports for 2022 and 2023, noting continued progress toward compliance and reinstatement of turnback funds for several cities. It also deferred several matters to the June 4 meeting, including Fargo’s municipal accounting noncompliance report, Jericho’s street-fund misuse issue, Biggers and Holly Grove deferred reports, and a group of private water and sewer reports lacking proper responses. Members then heard and filed a detailed report on the City of Strong, which involved repeat findings on undeposited receipts, improper use of solid waste funds, unsupported spending, late payroll tax payments, accounting control problems, and fund balance issues. Mayor Darrell Howell described corrective steps, including new internal controls, outside CPA assistance, repayment of misapplied funds, budget amendments, and efforts to address the findings; the committee commended the city’s efforts and filed the report. The committee also filed reports on Thornton Waterworks, Calhoun County, Salem, Briarcliffe, Compton Water Association, Montgomery County Regional Public Water Authority, Camden, Johnson County, and Sparkman, while deferring several private water reports and other unresolved items. A major portion of the meeting focused on the Pulaski County Regional Solid Waste Management District and other regional solid waste districts. The audit found issues in Pulaski County involving unapproved payroll items, missing credit card documentation, unapproved contracts, vehicle and cell phone documentation problems, lack of competitive bidding, and weak internal controls; members questioned the district’s practices and deferred the report to June while requesting district representatives appear. The committee also reviewed a statewide report on six regional solid waste management districts, with findings in Pulaski, Faulkner, and Benton counties and no findings in three others; that report was likewise deferred for Pulaski County questions. The meeting ended after a lengthy discussion with Cross County Rural Water System about overdue audit posting, water quality problems, grant-funded improvements, board notice practices, and the broader challenges facing rural water systems, after which the committee filed the report and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• to be distributed to the Alabama Firefighters Annuity and Benefit Fund; and 25% to be distributed to
• peer support program. 25% of the amount peer support program. 25% of the amount to<01:52:44.200>
• > Alabama to be distributed to the Alabama to be distributed to the Alabama Firefighters<01:52
• Upon the request of a parent or guardian and prior to the distribution to students, the school shall
• distribution distribution to<02:28:54.080> students,<02:28:54.680> the<02:28:54.800>

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a quorum present, then quickly handled routine motions to excuse absent senators, dispense with the prior journal, and allow bills and committee reports throughout the day. The chamber first took up House amendments to Senate Bill 19 on insurance, including a changed start date and a bill name honoring David McHanie and Roy Johnson. On a long roll, the Senate concurred 22-0 with one abstention. Senator Singleton then used personal privilege to present a Black History observance highlighting Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, Benjamin O. Davis Sr., and Mahalia Jackson. Committee reports followed, with the Senate confirming Brandy Williams to the Alabama Fire College and Personnel Standards and Education Commission and Lynn Brewer to the Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractors. Senator Singleton spoke at length in support of the trades-related confirmation, emphasizing the importance of skilled labor, contractor oversight, and workforce training, while also discussing the need to support such professions and the role of boards in protecting consumers. The Senate also received favorable reports from Judiciary, Education Policy, Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development, Tourism, and Local Legislation on a range of bills, many with amendments or substitutes, and placed them on the next day’s calendar. In motions and resolutions, Senator Elliott recommitted Senate Bill 310 to local legislation and introduced Senate Joint Resolution 50 honoring Coach Tim Carter, which was sent to rules. The Senate adopted Senate Joint Resolution 51 mourning Junior Harold Sorrells and several House resolutions from the Rules Committee, including recognitions for the Alabama State Games, Mack McCutcheon’s retirement, the Black pioneers of Macon County, Alicia Cannon, Joseph William Jones Jr., and Louis Vuitton the Pitbull Day. The chamber also recognized several school leaders in the gallery and then moved into local bills, beginning with Senate Bill 266, a proposed constitutional amendment regarding Covington County, for which a bill reading was requested using the previous roll.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any requirement, or perhaps should there be a requirement, that the ACH entities distribute
• Is there any requirement, or perhaps should there be a requirement, that the ACH entities distribute
• I don't have a tremendous amount more to add than the folks ahead of me here, aside from just the same
• In the case of the division at Commerce, programming and funding are largely distributed through government
• The division at Commerce, programming and funding are largely distributed through contracts and grants

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee’s Initiative 900 subcommittee held a hybrid public hearing on two State Auditor performance audits. The first audit examined efforts to reduce non-emergency use of emergency systems through CARES programs. Auditors reported that Washington has 52 fire-agency-led CARES programs in 26 counties, but many communities without programs said they need one. Major barriers included unstable funding, difficulty hiring qualified staff, volunteer-based rural departments, and lack of statewide guidance. The audit also found that only about half of programs tracked both required performance measures, and it recommended that the legislature consider private insurance reimbursement options and convene a statewide work group to develop guidance, standards, and possible changes to the role of the Department of Health. Agency representatives and fire officials largely supported the findings and emphasized that short-term grants and one-year contracts make programs hard to sustain. Committee discussion focused heavily on financing, especially Medicaid reimbursement and accountable communities of health (ACHs). Auditors clarified that the 10% figure cited in the report referred to direct Medicaid reimbursement for treat-and-refer services, which some agencies do not pursue because the $115 rate is too low relative to the administrative effort. Several fire officials testified that their programs rely on grants and ACH support, but that funding is often year-to-year and uncertain. They also described the value of CARES programs in reducing emergency room use, jail detentions, and long ambulance wait times, while noting barriers to sharing patient records across systems. Members asked whether the new public safety sales tax authority could help, but fire district representatives said it is not a direct funding option for them. The second audit reviewed performance management in the Department of Commerce’s Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness. Auditors found that the division does not yet have a statewide economic development strategic plan and that performance management is inconsistent across its 16 programs. In a limited review, all six sampled programs had goals, but only half clearly identified performance measures and targets, and only three tracked outcomes and published results. The audit highlighted leading practices from other states, including strategic planning, regular progress reporting, aligning program goals with agency goals, and using performance-based contracts and grant monitoring. Recommendations urged Commerce to seek stakeholder input, assess internal and external conditions, set goals and measures, align programs with the strategy, and strengthen monitoring and evaluation. Commerce officials agreed with the audit and said the division is already working toward a strategic plan, with a new assistant director to be hired and a target of completing the work by mid-next year. Members pressed the department on how the plan would connect to workforce, higher education, housing, and other economic development systems, and asked Commerce to return to JLARC next year with progress updates. The meeting ended with instructions for submitting written public comments and notice of the next JLARC meeting schedule.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can we get the amendment distributed, please? Do we have the amendment? We don't.
• That's a huge amount, which also means some of our educators then can't take their children to the doctor
• A lot of work has gone into it, and it will be distributed through the SUD. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Distributed? Thank you.

Bills: SB29, SB64

Keywords: SB29, math requirements for teaching license, teacher licensure, teacher endorsement, mathematics methods, elementary education, secondary education, special education, early childhood education, reciprocity, Public Education Department, Mathematics and Science Education Act, mathematics instructional leadership framework, professional learning plan, K-3 screening, mathematics screening assessment, mathematics difficulty, support plan, multilevel support, intervention

Transcript Highlights:

• can sell their small amounts of copper. can sell their small amounts of copper.
• That doesn't make any sense for the small amount of copper.
• That doesn't make any sense for the small amount of copper.
• highway user tax distribution fund. highway user tax distribution fund.
• expend highway user tax distribution expend highway user tax distribution funds<04:15:43.920>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These facilities have not distributed themselves evenly across our state to meet the greatest need.
• The written testimony that was just distributed has lots of information and some items for further research
• initiative which criminalize non-consensual disclosure of intimate images, but does not account for amount
• So one is the person who actually creates, distributes the person that is doing that harm, but then the
• second is If that image is being, uh, distributed through a website, whether that's, uh, Twitter or