Transcript Highlights:

• The League of Women Voters supports legislative procedures and schedules to promote efficiency, forward
• The League of Women Voters supports legislative procedures and schedules to promote efficiency, The League
• They don't necessarily have a regular meeting schedule, as I understand.
• So let us know when you're ready to move forward, and we'll get it scheduled for the next round.
• We were a little bit concerned about the aggressive schedule.

Bills: HJR6 , HJR7 , HB120 , HB60 , HB151 , HR1 , HM13 , SB40 , SB104

Committee: House House Judiciary

Summary: The committee first heard two related House Joint Resolutions sponsored by Representative McQueen. H.J.R. 6 would equalize the legislature’s 60-day and 30-day sessions into two 45-day sessions, remove the germaneness requirement from the second session of a biennium, and clarify veto-override language. H.J.R. 7 would keep the current 60-day and 30-day session lengths but make the same germaneness and veto-override changes. Supporters argued the measures would modernize the legislature, improve internal control of the agenda, and make the flow of work more efficient; opponents warned of more bills, lobbying fatigue, and reduced public participation. Both resolutions were moved on due pass and passed the committee 8-0. The committee then heard House Bill 120 on limiting student restraint and seclusion in schools. The sponsor and LESC staff said the bill arose from a stakeholder working group and would clarify definitions, prohibit dangerous practices such as mechanical, chemical, and prone restraint, require training and school safety plans, improve reporting to parents and the Public Education Department, and strengthen oversight. Testimony from educators, disability advocates, parents, and state officials strongly supported the bill, describing harmful and sometimes underreported restraint and seclusion incidents and emphasizing the need for clearer rules and de-escalation training. Some members raised concerns about implementation, definitions, teacher safety, and whether the data were sufficient; the sponsor and staff said the bill was meant to give teachers tools and minimum standards, not to require intervention in every situation. The bill passed on a due pass motion 9-1. Next, the committee considered House Bill 60, which would add certain crimes against peace officers to the Victims of Crime Act so officers injured in the line of duty would receive the same notification, participation, and restitution-related rights as other victims. The sponsor and the district attorney supporting the bill said it was a public safety measure with negligible cost and would also extend protections to affected family members. Support came from law enforcement, business, and public safety groups. Members asked about whether the officer must know the assailant is a peace officer, how the rights would work if the officer is also a witness, and how restitution interacts with workers’ compensation; the sponsor said the bill applies when the officer is acting in the lawful discharge of duties and the defendant knows the person is an officer. The committee passed HB 60 unanimously, 11-0. Finally, the committee began hearing House Bill 151, a committee substitute on the childhood sexual abuse statute of limitations. The sponsor said the bill, called the Survivor’s Justice measure, would extend the time for survivors to file claims from age 24 to age 58, add public actors to the bill’s scope, and create an administrative compensation fund supported by an appropriation, with $12.5 million already in the budget and a request for another $12.5 million. The sponsor explained that the change reflects the average age at which survivors come forward and that the bill is part of a long-running effort to address childhood sexual abuse claims.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, there have been significant resources pulled into the study of the popular weight loss drugs
• We're a little bit ahead of schedule here, so we'll hold tight here for just about 15 minutes and wait
• We’re gonna we’re a little ahead of schedule but I don’t see any reason to everybody sit around here
• We are in our rollout phase right now, scheduled to be complete by June 30th on our electronic health
• It is scheduled to be completed in September of 2026.

Committee: House A&B Health Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• fund created that would address all addictions, not just gambling, but let's throw in alcohol and drug
• </c><00:15:42.480><c> abuse</c><00:15:42.920><c> in</c> let's throw in alcohol and drug abuse in let's
• throw in alcohol and drug abuse in in<00:15:43.400><c> that.
• What this would do is it would keep the depreciation schedule in place.
• </c> keep the depreciation schedule in place. keep the depreciation schedule in place.

Summary: The Joint Revenue committee met with a quorum and heard a series of interim topic proposals focused on tax policy. Representative Brown raised two ideas: reinstating an exemption reporting requirement for corporations and entities receiving tax exemptions, with loss of the exemption for the current and prior year if they fail to report, and revising property tax treatment for wind turbines and related infrastructure by shifting the taxed footprint from agricultural to industrial classification. Senator Case and others then discussed energy taxation more broadly, including a possible generation tax for electricity, how to handle large data-center electricity loads, and whether sales tax revenue from very large electrical loads should be shared statewide rather than concentrated locally. The committee referenced prior bills and studies, including House Bill 300 and Senate File 76, and discussed using a mechanism that would keep local electricity bills net neutral while redirecting revenue distribution. The committee also took up problematic gaming and program funding. Senator Case described personal experiences with gambling addiction and the lack of available resources, while the presenter said the topic had been requested in multiple committees and that the biggest concern from House Bill 171 was protecting county and municipal funding. Members discussed whether the issue belonged in Revenue, Health, Labor, or Transportation, and several suggested it should stay with the standing committee handling gaming. Ideas raised included using gaming-related revenue for prevention and treatment, fully funding the 988 lifeline, and creating a broader trust fund for addiction-related services and law enforcement. The committee appeared to agree to continue the topic for educational purposes and to examine taxation of HHR and other gambling activity. Senator Case then proposed a severance tax on wind energy, arguing that wind development creates permanent landscape impacts and that the state should be compensated similarly to coal, oil, and gas extraction. Curt Meier, the state treasurer, supported reviewing lease agreements and said Wyoming should get more from wind resources, noting the state’s unique wind potential and the loss of viewshed. Finally, the committee heard a proposal to reform property tax relief by extending it to motor vehicle registration. Former Revenue director Dan Noble argued that vehicle taxes should be treated like other property taxes, using fair market value, depreciation, the residential assessment ratio, and local mill levies, which he said could provide broad relief but would be expensive, with an estimated fiscal impact of about $120 million. Representative Chestek followed with a related reform proposal based on Pennsylvania’s base-year assessment model, arguing that Wyoming’s current statewide relief measures treat symptoms rather than the underlying problem of rapidly rising local valuations.

Transcript Highlights:

• The US Drug Enforcement Agency, or the DEA, classifies kratom as a drug and chemical of concern, and
• The<00:23:48.280><c> US</c><00:23:48.560><c> Drug</c><00:23:48.800><c> Enforcement</c><00:23:49.360><
• classifies kratom as a drug and DEA classifies kratom as a drug and chemical<00:23:52.560><c> of</c>
• All Republicans are scheduled in the morning.
• it for a they simply had to schedule it for a floor<03:20:41.240><c> debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• LEAP, I developed expertise in drug policy and harm reduction.
• Now I speak out for sensible drug laws that actually make our community safer.
• As an officer working the streets, I saw how drug prohibition... ...attention to get right.
• It's a possibly addictive drug. Is that correct? Correct.
• It's a possibly addictive drug. Is that correct? Correct.

Summary: The committee heard a series of environmental safety and toxic materials measures, with several bills moving forward on unanimous or near-unanimous votes to Appropriations. Early in the meeting, the consent calendar was approved, including AB 372, AB 455, AB 1096, AB 1102, and AB 754. AB 362 by Assembly Member Ramos, which would recognize tribal beneficial uses of water and strengthen consultation and protection for tribal water uses, drew strong support from tribes and environmental groups. Water agencies and local government representatives opposed unless amended, raising concerns about CEQA requirements, co-management language, and conflicts with existing water law. The bill advanced to Appropriations, with some members voting aye and others not voting or absent. AB 728 by Assembly Member Lee would require age verification for the sale of certain anti-aging skin care products to minors. The author and a youth witness described social media-driven use of adult skin products by children and alleged skin damage, while supporters argued age checks are a reasonable consumer protection. Dermatologists and retailers opposed the bill, saying it could restrict legitimate acne and other medical uses of over-the-counter products, create compliance problems, and lacked a clear scientific basis. The committee discussed possible ambiguity in the bill’s definition of anti-aging products, but the measure still passed to Appropriations. AB 532 on low-income water rate assistance, AB 773 on copper-based anti-fouling paint, AB 998 on household hazardous waste disposal of vape pens, AB 1031 on geothermal hazardous waste fees, and AB 864 on solar panel hazardous waste and recycling all received strong support and advanced to Appropriations. Supporters for AB 532 emphasized water affordability and local program authority; AB 773 supporters said conflicting state water and pesticide rules are creating confusion for harbors and cities; AB 998 was presented as a practical way to let schools and local facilities dispose of confiscated vape devices safely; AB 1031 was framed as reducing DTSC fee burdens on geothermal development in Imperial County; and AB 864 would ease recycling and reuse of end-of-life solar panels. The committee also began hearing AB 1264 on ultra-processed foods in school meals, with the author and supporters arguing it would phase out the most harmful ultra-processed foods from school meals by 2032, but the transcript cuts off before the full discussion and any action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• And before we continue, I want to acknowledge that there is a Senate Democratic caucus scheduled today
• And given the potential scheduling conflict, I'm going to suggest and adjust our agenda so that I'm going
• And before we continue, I want to acknowledge that there is a Senate Democratic caucus scheduled today
• So we’ll discuss these shortly, and again, due to the potential scheduling conflict with the caucus,
• Senator Keenan, just in light of your potential scheduling conflict, thank you, Madam Chair.

Summary: The Special Commission on Emerging Firearm Technology met to review its work on intentional microstamping and personalized firearms and to discuss draft recommendations for a final report. The co-chairs summarized testimony received from manufacturers, advocates, law enforcement, and officials from New Jersey, New York, and California. For microstamping, the discussion focused on how the technology could help trace spent casings, its limits in forensic use, and concerns about wear, tampering, implementation costs, and whether it would burden lawful gun owners. For personalized firearms, members reviewed testimony about biometric smart guns, their current commercial availability, higher cost, and potential benefits for preventing accidental shootings and unauthorized use, especially involving children and suicide prevention. Commissioners expressed a range of views. Several supported microstamping as a crime-solving tool and endorsed a recommendation that the legislature direct a feasibility and viability study, set standards and training, fund implementation, and create penalties for tampering. Others opposed microstamping, arguing it has not worked in other states, may not reduce crime, and could impose costs on manufacturers and owners. On personalized firearms, most commissioners supported encouraging the technology, but there was disagreement over whether to create a temporary sales tax exemption; some favored an incentive to promote adoption, while others opposed any tax subsidy for firearms or questioned whether the data justified it. The co-chairs said they would draft a report reflecting the majority consensus and circulate it for review before a final vote at a later meeting, likely in July. The commission also discussed which executive branch agency should conduct the microstamping feasibility study, with the Attorney General’s office and EOPSS mentioned as possibilities. The meeting ended with agreement to reconvene for final votes on the report and recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Worse, these establishments attract violent and organized crime, such as murder, robbery, drugs, and
• Utility coordination would require utility owners to submit relocation schedules within a specific time
• Utility coordination would require utility owners to submit relocation schedules within a specific time
• It provides that every SERS report must include a reserve funding schedule that's based on a baseline
• It provides that every SERS report must include a reserve funding schedule that's based on a baseline

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries heard and advanced several bills, with the most extensive discussion centered on condominium issues, gambling enforcement, and public safety. CS/SB 592 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program was amended to clarify the three-story eligibility threshold and to add sliding glass door wind-driven rain mitigation devices as an eligible improvement. A late-filed amendment to appropriate $500 million for the program failed on a 3-4 roll call vote, and the bill was then reported favorably. Members also took up CS/SB 1742, a broad condominium and cooperative association reform bill, which would give associations more flexibility on reserves after milestone inspections, require substitute budgets over certain spending increases, improve disclosure and conflict-of-interest rules, expand data collection, and extend some disclosure rescission periods; the committee adopted an amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 622 on pari-mutuel permit leasing, as amended to allow leasing to same-class permit holders or Hialeah permit holders and to make related wagering licenses discretionary rather than automatic. SB 1404 on illegal gambling was reported favorably after amendments allowing veterans organizations to seek declaratory rulings on machine compliance and adding ethics/revolving-door restrictions for Gaming Commission personnel; a late amendment concerning a Miami casino property was withdrawn. Testimony on that bill came from prosecutors, the Gaming Control Commission, veterans groups, and amusement machine operators, with supporters emphasizing organized crime enforcement and opponents seeking clearer definitions and compliance guidance. On public safety and infrastructure, SB 1682 to include 911 dispatchers in the definition of first responder was reported favorably with strong support from dispatchers and committee members. SB 818 on utility relocation and SB 1228 on spring restoration were also reported favorably, with counties opposing the utility bill as a taxpayer cost shift. SB 948 on flood disclosures for rental properties and condominium sales/rentals was reported favorably after support from environmental and flood advocacy groups. The committee also heard SB 604 on residential pool safety requirements, but the chair temporarily postponed it after concerns were raised about how the inspection requirement would work in cash transactions and whether it would require permits or delay closings.

Transcript Highlights:

• , including AI, for various management functions, including performance evaluation, discipline, scheduling
• AI is dictating schedules with algorithms that don't account for the realities of physical labor, weather
• And no schedule should come before safety. That's why we need the Fair Act.
• exposure to bullying, harassment, sexual exploitation, and predatory marketing of substances like drugs
• , tobacco, and... ...predatory marketing of substances like drugs, tobacco, and gambling.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity

Summary: The committee held a hearing on several artificial intelligence bills, opening with remarks about the 9/11 anniversary and then broad statements from the co-chairs about AI’s promise and risks. Chair Farley-Bouvier and Senator Moore emphasized the need for guardrails, transparency, and worker and consumer protections, while Senator Finegold described Senate Bill 37, which would create a framework for AI model training with safety assessments, audits, incident reporting, Attorney General oversight, and workforce reporting. Members also discussed Massachusetts’ position relative to other states and the need for state action in the absence of federal regulation. A large portion of the hearing focused on the Fair Act, House 77 and Senate 35, which would limit workplace surveillance, restrict collection of biometric and location data, require notice and human review for automated employment decisions, and protect workers from retaliation. Labor leaders, including AFL-CIO, AFSCME, AFT, SEIU, building trades, and other worker representatives, testified in support, describing harms from bossware, automated benefits denials, hiring and promotion screening, scheduling, and monitoring in workplaces ranging from health care and education to manufacturing and construction. They argued that AI systems are already affecting wages, benefits, safety, and job security, and that Massachusetts should act now to set clear rules. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 74, which would require informed consent and clear contract terms for digital replicas of voices and likenesses, with SAG-AFTRA representatives supporting the bill as a protection for performers and creators. Another major topic was Senate Bill 51 on social media algorithm accountability and transparency; child safety advocates, researchers, and a public health expert described harms from engagement-based algorithms, including exposure to harmful content, eating disorders, and youth mental health impacts, and supported independent audits and public reporting. A few industry and civil liberties witnesses supported regulation but urged balance, warning against overly burdensome rules while acknowledging the need for privacy, transparency, and accountability. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the hearing excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• attachments and appearances, we laid over some construction sales tax exemptions from yesterday, and the drug
• stamp—we laid over the drug stamps.
• Okay, with that being said, next week's schedule... ...I will move to lay House File 17 over for possible
• ><00:37:35.000><c> uh</c><00:37:36.000><c> next</c><00:37:36.200><c> week's</c><00:37:36.520><c> schedule
• </c> being said uh next week's schedule being said uh next week's schedule Tuesday<00:37:38.000><c> we're

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><04:41:14.320><c> um</c> particularly a big issue with drugs um particularly a big issue with drugs
• Whereas Phil discovered drugs as a young teenager and lost decades to his drug addiction and finally
• Whereas Phil discovered drugs as a young teenager and lost decades to his drug addiction and finally
• Um and there will be um some law enforcement officers coming behind uh that are work at drug uh drug
• </c><04:59:06.798><c> uh</c><04:59:06.958><c> drug</c> behind uh that are work at drug uh drug behind

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Prop. 36 was an attempt to undo Prop. 47 and reclassify some misdemeanor theft and drug crimes as felonies
• , and establish mandated drug treatment programs for criminals.
• Prop. 47, in 2014, reclassified several nonviolent, low-level drug possession and property crimes from
• Get off drugs means less crime. Voters were clear.
• Session schedule is as follows: Tuesday, June 16th, check-in session; Wednesday, June 17th, check-in

Transcript Highlights:

• We've long been reporting to CalRecycle We just had to start reporting on a different schedule the exact
• My name is Jackie Suebeck, I am a drug policy advocate representing Seven Hope Alliance, a non-profit
• Now I speak out for sensible drug laws that actually make our community safer. safer.
• And a kid can walk in and buy these products, and it's a drug. It's possibly addictive.
• I'm going to do everything I can to protect and keep this deadly drug out of the hands of our children

Committee: House Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Transcript Highlights:

• credit card for a non-taxable transaction, let's say for getting a haircut or paying for a prescription drug
• credit card for a non-taxable transaction, let's say for getting a haircut or paying for a prescription drug
• But us as a legislature set those salary schedules at the max, correct?
• But we gave them the authority to establish some of those salary ranges outside of the established schedules
• from my district in Perry County, called the Renewal Ranch, and they are a faith-based alcohol and drug

Committee: All JBC-SPECIAL LANGUAGE

Transcript Highlights:

• Addressing high rates of alcohol use disorder: According to the 2022-2023 National Survey on Drug Use
• Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), licensing from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA
• At the federal level, when it comes to those kinds of drugs, I'm just wondering what the other states
• Because the general salary schedule used to be numeric.
• We can go into lunch, but we don't want to fall behind schedule. What else is new?

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> you</c> looking at drugs the first thing you looking at drugs the first thing you look<01:04:01.079
• </c><01:04:04.760><c> um</c> look at is is harm from that drug um look at is is harm from that drug um
• </c> was almost like people thought the drugs was almost like people thought the drugs are<02:06:57.760
• I'm not going to speak for them, and I don't think children should be taking these drugs.
• </c><03:34:35.239><c> and</c> New Hampshire youth through drug and New Hampshire youth through drug and

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Due to their schedules, it is our policy to call elected officials out of turn.
• Due to their schedules, it is our policy to call elected officials out of turn.
• Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control, clearly demonstrate ...that youth access
• This is why the Food and Drug Administration declared that premium cigars were at the bottom of their

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a long hybrid hearing on a wide range of tax bills, with testimony covering cigarette and tobacco taxes, nicotine pouches, contractor rental equipment exemptions, aircraft sales tax exemptions, rolling stock, advanced sales tax payments, a gun and ammunition excise tax, a digital services tax, and a psilocybin cultivation/tax proposal. Committee chairs outlined the hearing process and noted that 39 House-filed sales and excise tax bills were being heard for required reporting by November 28. No votes were taken during the hearing. On tobacco-related bills, supporters including Senator Keenan, the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, and Tobacco Free Mass backed higher cigarette taxes and closing the synthetic nicotine loophole, arguing the measures would reduce youth initiation, encourage cessation, and offset health care costs. Retailers, wholesalers, and convenience-store groups opposed the increases, warning of smuggling, out-of-state purchasing, and harm to small businesses; premium cigar representatives argued cigars should be treated separately from cigarettes. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3067 and related bills concerning nicotine pouches, with public health advocates supporting taxation and industry witnesses urging a lower, more competitive rate. Several other bills drew sharply divided testimony. United Rentals supported H. 3065 to simplify contractor rental equipment exemption paperwork, while airport and aviation groups opposed bills to repeal the aircraft sales tax exemption, saying it would hurt airport competitiveness and jobs. The Transportation Association of Massachusetts backed rolling stock tax exemptions, saying the current tax discourages fleet investment and interstate commerce. Restaurant industry representatives supported repealing advanced sales tax payments and changing penalty rules, saying businesses were hit with retroactive penalties after unclear pandemic-era changes. On H. 3082, an excise tax on guns and ammunition, gun violence prevention advocates, Roca, and Giffords supported the bill as a dedicated funding source for prevention and survivor services, while sportsmen’s groups opposed it as unfair to lawful gun owners and harmful to conservation funding. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3208, a digital advertising services tax, with Representative Paulino supporting it as a way to capture revenue from online advertising and fund public needs, while the Chamber of Progress opposed it as costly and burdensome for small businesses and campaigns. Finally, multiple witnesses testified on H. 4050 regarding psilocybin cultivation and taxation: advocates from Mass Healing, Roca, the Reason Foundation, and individuals describing personal medical benefits urged a regulated, permit-based system, while the hearing ended after all signed-up speakers were heard and the chair adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• to be covered when performed as part of a pre-treatment medical clearance protocol for an insured scheduled
• to undergo cancer treatment. ...a pre-treatment medical clearance protocol for an insured scheduled
• We use these drugs called bisphosphonates routinely to prevent bony collapse, and people have osteoporosis
• We use these drugs called bisphosphonates routinely to prevent bony collapse in people who have osteoporosis

Committee: House Insurance

Summary: The House Insurance Committee met on May 19 and first took up Senate Bill 509 on bank-owned life insurance. The bill would clarify that banks retain an insurable interest in former employees for purposes of exchanging underperforming bank-owned life insurance policies for better-performing ones. Members adopted a revised amendment set after withdrawing a prior version. Testimony focused heavily on whether consent from the insured former employee is required for any transfer or exchange, with supporters saying the bill is needed to address underperforming policies and opponents warning about unclear consent standards, data-transfer concerns, litigation risk, and possible federal tax issues. After debate, the committee reported SB 509 as amended by a 7-4 vote. The committee then heard Senate Bill 295, which requires health insurance coverage for medically necessary treatment for persons with acquired brain injuries, including cognitive rehabilitation and related services. Supporters from the Brain Injury Association of Louisiana and NeuroRestorative described gaps in post-acute care, high rates of discharge to unsafe home settings or nursing homes, and improved return-to-work outcomes when patients receive appropriate rehabilitation. An amendment was adopted to clarify federal essential health benefit limits and remove certain language, reducing the fiscal note to zero. The bill was then reported as amended without objection. Next, the committee considered Senate Bill 155, which requires coverage for medically necessary dental procedures needed for cancer treatment clearance, such as exams, imaging, and extractions. Cancer advocates, oncologists, and dental representatives said untreated dental problems can delay chemotherapy or radiation and lead to worse outcomes and higher costs. Cleanup amendments were adopted, and the bill was reported as amended. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 465, which tightens prompt-payment deadlines for health insurers, adds pharmacy payment provisions, and creates a recoupment timeline for dental claims; after technical and substantive amendments, it was reported as amended. Finally, the committee approved Senate Bill 276, creating a pre-appointment affidavit process for bail bond producers to ensure prior premiums, shortages, and forfeitures are resolved before a new insurer appointment, and House Resolution 260, which urges the Department of Insurance to study how out-of-network medical billing affects auto insurance rates. Both measures were reported favorably or as amended, and the committee adjourned after a motion to do so.

Transcript Highlights:

• to be covered when performed as part of a pre-treatment medical clearance protocol for an insured scheduled
• to undergo cancer treatment. ...a pre-treatment medical clearance protocol for insured scheduled to
• We use these drugs called bisphosphonates.
• We use these drugs called bisphosphonates routinely to prevent bony collapse in people who have osteoporosis

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• Our clinical staff will make random and scheduled site visits for audits of the site.
• to make sure that the health care operations are prioritized first, and altered the overall site schedule
• I would have people that be non-compliant on drugs.
• don't want to be successful or because of their mental illness or their anger or maybe they're high on drugs

Committee: House Corrections and Public Institutions

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll set up a little lab in my house, and you can bring your children on an organized, scheduled basis
• universal choice, people move with their feet, ...people move with their feet and they don't move on our schedule
• mean by that is it reads like this: it basically says Chapter 893, which is all having to do with drugs
• , relating to drug abuse prevention and control, only if the offense was a felony or if any other person

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Summary: The committee first heard the proposed Pre-K-12 education budget for fiscal year 2025-26, totaling $34.7 billion. The chair highlighted major increases for the FEFP, including $29.6 billion for public schools and K-12 scholarships, a $984 million year-over-year increase, along with higher per-FTE funding, $4 billion for the Family Empowerment Scholarship, $431.4 million for VPK, funding for school safety, the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, school hardening, Jewish day school security, and an education enrollment stabilization fund. With no public comment, the committee adopted a motion for staff technical corrections and then approved the budget proposal as a recommendation to the full Senate Appropriations Committee. The committee then considered SB 1402 on dropout retrieval programs. The bill expands eligibility so any individual who has withdrawn from high school may enroll in dropout retrieval services and clarifies how school grades are calculated for virtual instruction providers that offer those services. An amendment clarifying the grading calculation was adopted, and the committee reported the bill favorably. Next, the committee took up SPB 7030 on educational scholarship programs, a broad measure addressing school choice funding and administration. The bill would fund the Family Empowerment Scholarship as a separate categorical, expand the education stabilization fund, create fall and spring application windows, require a single scholarship application and more documentation, assign student IDs, standardize payment timing to monthly installments, require continued eligibility verification, and add Level 2 background checks for providers receiving state funds. Members raised questions about background-check enforcement, payment timing, data sharing, and the impact on homeschool and private-school families. Public testimony included support from school-choice advocates and concerns from private-school representatives about added regulatory burdens and deadlines. The committee adopted the bill as a committee bill and reported it favorably, with Senator Osgood voting no. Finally, the committee considered SB 508 on the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program, which requires private schools to disclose in writing what accommodations, modifications, and services they will provide to students with existing plans such as IEPs, EEPs, 504 plans, or ELL plans before enrollment. An amendment was adopted to require public schools to consult with private schools about equitable services. Testimony was mixed: supporters said the bill would give parents needed information for informed choice, while private-school representatives said the language could be burdensome and vague. The committee reported the bill favorably.