Transcript Highlights:

• This is led by a 13.8% drop in Canada air arrivals.
• I'm not clear on the exact number, but she has a fixed amount for every drop in incremental spending
• And I think no one was expecting this, you know, drop.
• What is happening in terms of tracking that and trying to understand what the reasons are for the drop
• Statewide, the average price per room during hotel sales in California dropped by 16.5 percent in 2020

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're being tied into QuickBooks so that that stuff will be dropped in reports when they ask for it
• They're being tied into QuickBooks so that that stuff will be dropped in reports when they ask for it
• And that's the one that has the drop-dead date.
• We dropped the fine down to $185, you know, to try to capture it off all of that.
• So it’s just a 10-mile-an-hour drop. That’s correct.

Summary: The committee approved the prior minutes and then received a series of audit and compliance updates. Staff reported on delinquent private water and sewer reports, delinquent 2013-2023 water reports, and several municipal accounting code noncompliance cases. Denning and Gum Springs were recommended to be removed from the 60-day clock after staff visits showed improved records, while Fargo, Lead Hill, Almy, Jericho, Haynes, Biggers, Gilmore, and Holly Grove were discussed for repeat findings involving missing audits, poor bookkeeping, unpaid or misapplied street funds, deficit balances, and other accounting deficiencies. Several of these entities were given additional time or had reports filed without objection, while others were deferred for later review. Fargo’s mayor said the town had been understaffed and was working to improve its accounting systems; the committee voted to defer the matter to the August meeting. Lead Hill’s mayor described efforts to complete overdue water audits and improve office procedures, and the committee also postponed action for 60 days. Almy’s mayor and recorder-treasurer were present, and the committee placed the town on the 60-day clock for repeat accounting issues. Biggers and Gilmore both acknowledged long-running audit problems and said they were working with auditors and the IRS; their reports were filed. Holly Grove’s treasurer said she had only recently taken the position, and that report was filed as well. The committee spent considerable time on the street-fund misuse cases for Jericho and Haynes. Jericho was found to have exceeded the statutory threshold tied to fines and costs, with staff noting the town had since become current on its repayment plan; the committee deferred the report to September. Haynes was also behind on its repayment plan for street funds, with staff saying the town had recently made up the shortfall and was current as of the meeting, but the committee still deferred the report to September. Members and staff also discussed how the speed-trap law is applied, whether certain fines and costs count toward the threshold, and the role of the prosecuting attorney in deciding whether to take further action. The committee then reviewed a special report on the Pulaski County Regional Solid Waste Management District, which had six findings involving board approval of payroll and contracts, credit card documentation, vehicle and cell phone use, competitive bidding, electronic funds controls, and unusually high advertising spending. District Director Craig Douglas said the board had delegated some authority, that receipts were missing during a temporary staffing gap, and that advertising was needed to educate the public; he also defended the sale of trailers and other equipment as a way to exit the trailer business. Several members questioned the explanations and the low resale value of equipment, but the committee ultimately deferred the report to September. The meeting also included a recognition of accounting students interning with audit staff and a final set of actions on deferred water and sewer reports: 11 were filed, seven were deferred for lack of proper responses, and a private report on Shannon Hills Water, Sewer, and Fire Department was noted as involving misappropriation by an office manager and inadequate internal controls.

Transcript Highlights:

• On the Lower and Outer Cape, unreliable cell service, from dropped calls to dead zones, affects daily
• The drop is because, one, energy efficiency... The drop is because, one, energy efficiency.
• Clean energy and affordable. correlating drop in prices.
• I think I dropped on.
• I think I dropped off around: gas does not affect all communities equally, making it a health equity

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a wide range of late-file energy bills, with much of the discussion focused on battery storage siting, gas system expansion, propane consumer protections, gas workforce safety, and a Taunton home-rule petition on water rates for manufactured housing communities. Representative Sweeney urged support for H. 4689 and H. 4690, which would impose a moratorium and setback requirements for lithium battery storage facilities, citing fire risk, proximity to homes, and environmental concerns. Several local officials and residents from Oakham, Tewksbury, and other communities described proposed battery projects near homes, schools, wetlands, and conservation land, while industry and clean-energy advocates argued the bills would effectively block storage development and conflict with state energy goals and existing fire-safety standards. The committee also heard strong support for S. 2290/H. 3547, a bill to prevent gas expansion near environmental justice communities, from environmental justice advocates, municipal officials, and clean-energy groups. Testimony emphasized rising gas bills, the cost of new pipelines, methane and health impacts, and the need to avoid locking in long-term gas infrastructure costs. Witnesses also discussed related bills on gas workforce safety, gas shut-off valves, and gas meter replacement plans, with labor representatives supporting safety-focused measures and opposing changes they said would weaken inspections, while consumer and environmental advocates argued that some utility replacement practices are unnecessarily expensive and should be reined in to reduce ratepayer costs. Other testimony included support for H. 3518 on propane gas ratepayer protections, with the witness arguing for clearer contract terms and website price disclosure, and support for S. 2652, which would authorize Taunton to create a separate water billing rate for manufactured housing communities because residents there are effectively paying higher water costs through rent due to a single master meter. No committee votes or final actions were taken during the hearing, and members mostly asked brief clarifying questions or made no comment after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, we're not sitting on some information, and it's later than it's for the drop-dead time that I
• And so, rather than having any individual school have a rather catastrophic drop, this provides a bit
• of stability with a 35% drop for individual sites that may have had a very large drop, but on the path
• of stability with a 35% drop for individual sites that may have had a very large drop, but on the path
• of stability with a 35% drop for individual sites that may have had a very large drop, but on the path

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So 6 1/2 months later, I finally get a hearing to address this so I can drop off my daughter to school
• off my daughter to school and can drop off my daughter to school and pick<00:44:05.120> her<00
• <01:22:50.360> So, you, drop them off at daycare there.
• So, you, drop them off at daycare there.
• off the kids, pick triangulation to drop off the kids, pick up<01:28:18.280> the<01:28:18.400

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I dropped the mic. I'm sorry. Okay. Okay. Let's go to the author of the H104981 amendment.
• I dropped the mic. I'm sorry. Okay. Okay.
• I dropped the mic. I'm sorry. Okay. Okay.
• I dropped the mic. I'm sorry. Okay. Okay.
• I dropped the mic. I'm sorry. Okay. Okay.

Bills: HF1049

Keywords: school library aid, education finance, school districts, charter schools, funding eligibility, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, we discussed this as well: the community wealth building program Senate language drops the minimum
• 22.720> minimum<00:02:23.040> loan<00:02:23.240> amount<00:02:23.680> from drops
• the minimum loan amount from drops the minimum loan amount from 50,000<00:02:24.360> to<00:02
• discussed, offered by Senator Draheim, about community labor force participation rates, and would drop
• The Senate language dropped to 25%. I think you had hesitation about that drop.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're looking for a special kind of place where we can drop entities from a particular engagement without
• go from the $272,000 threshold right now up to a million dollars, what you see is you may see a big drop
• You might see, again, like 21 entities dropping out of townships and over 100 entities dropping out of
• But if you take a look at the total revenue and the portion of that, you'll see that's a very small drop
• now will be risk-free; however, we believe this will help us focus so that where it is a bit of a drop

Transcript Highlights:

• And I asked why, and they just said they've dropped 100 of our clients. There was no answer.
• It costs a lot when someone drops you to get insurance.
• just try because it could be your house next week that you're getting that insurance, that you're dropped
• You know, luckily... ...you're getting that insurance, that you're dropped.
• What company was the one that dropped your... Nationwide. And I'm dropping them on everything.

Summary: The committee heard three informational presentations. First, Lieutenant Rob Rowe of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission discussed derelict vessel removal, explaining the legal definition of derelict and at-risk vessels, the causes of vessel abandonment, and the impact of recent hurricanes on the number of cases. He said FWC has nearly 1,000 active derelict vessel cases, with 576 ready for removal, and described the agency’s use of ARPA funds, grants to local governments, contractor lists, and the V-TIP vessel turn-in program to speed removals and prevent vessels from becoming derelict. Senators asked about how to expedite removals, insurance coverage, due process timelines, and storage challenges; Rowe said the 21-day process is constrained by constitutional due process and that more staffing and prevention funding would help. Next, Stephen Fielder of the Department of Financial Services presented on the My Safe Florida Home program, which provides grants for homeowners to harden homes before storms. He reviewed program eligibility, grant types, reimbursement averages, and performance data, and said the program has received $633 million in appropriations overall. He noted that the program is outsourced to private vendors, has low administrative overhead, and has processed large numbers of inspections and reimbursements. Senators questioned contractor requirements, permits, overhead costs, and whether the program should be brought in-house; Fielder said permits are required before reimbursement, contractor licensing is verified, and the department is considering several administrative clarifications, including townhome roof work, inspection expiration, and whether grants should be limited per person or per home. A retired educator also testified in support of more assistance for homeowners facing insurance problems. Finally, Tom Berger of the Department of Management Services outlined the Florida Facilities Pool and the state’s real estate development and management work. He described the bonded facility program, the state’s 112 managed facilities, lease administration, parking contracts, maintenance operations, and more than $1 billion in active construction projects. He highlighted major projects such as the Emergency Operations Center, Capitol complex upgrades, a new visitor screening center, and facilities for other agencies including veterans’ services, juvenile justice, and the courts. Senators asked about lease terms, appropriation language, vacancy in leased space, and whether the state uses a uniform lease form; Berger said the lease document is standardized and that agencies determine their space needs. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment by motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if an adult maybe dropped out serves.
• We district that they dropped out of.
• figure out, you know, they've dropped figure out, you know, they've dropped out<00:35:56.320>
• This is the way I picture a drop down.
• So, if you going to be a drop-own box.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard presentations from the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America and the Governor Scholars Program. The FCCLA student speaker described how career and technical education helped her gain certifications, work in early childhood settings, and recognize a child who needed speech help, emphasizing support for CTE, FCCLA, and related student organizations. The Governor Scholars Program presentation, led by Dr. Jennifer Price with student speakers Max Corbett and Abigail Ziggler, focused on the program’s role in serving about 1,500 rising seniors each summer, its history since 1983, its statewide reach, and its impact on leadership development, college readiness, and keeping students connected to Kentucky. Members praised the students and program, and several shared personal stories about the program’s long-term benefits. Representative Camuel asked about funding, and Dr. Price said the program’s request was $2.1 million to maintain current enrollment levels of about 1,020 scholars for 2026; no vote was taken on that request during this segment. The committee then took up House Bill 498, sponsored by Representative Duvall, with Aaron Looper of Graduation Alliance testifying in support. A committee substitute was adopted after explanation. The substitute broadened eligibility for accredited providers to include public and nonprofit entities, allowed each county an opportunity to provide services with a $200,000 aggregate maximum per county, reduced the dollars per credit to serve more students, and made date corrections. Representative Duvall said the bill was a workforce measure developed from the Workforce Attraction and Retention Task Force and aimed at adults who lack a high school diploma but have two years or less remaining to graduate. Looper said the bill would create a pathway for adults to earn a regionally accredited high school diploma, paired with workforce and industry-recognized credentials, and stressed that it would not compete with GED programs, which are better suited for adults farther from graduation. He said the model is pay-for-performance, with providers paid only after milestones are completed, and that it would be available online, in person, or in hybrid form to improve rural access. In response to questions, he said students would not be charged fees, providers would handle transcript retrieval and remediation, and the program would include built-in accountability measures. He also said the budget request is $2 million per year, with the goal of maintaining the current level of service and eventually expanding if successful. Members asked about how the program differs from existing adult education options, access in all counties, and whether there are deserts in service availability; Looper said the online model and provider outreach are intended to address those gaps.

Transcript Highlights:

• been for all these years is a county sheriff picks up some vagrants or some homeless people and they drop
• for the county to make sure that the arrangements are valid for this person, so they're not just dropping
• No, we are not with the Eric system because we dropped out of the state.
• We dropped out of that system as Far as I know, I'm going back here because they were selling that information
• to third-party people, and there was a lot of other states that were dropping out of that system as

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe it was your legislation in 2019, 2020, that actually dropped the levels from 10 to 5.
• So when we, and I certainly understand the idea behind this bill and the setting of dropping the lead
• And I certainly understand the idea behind this bill and agree with the setting of dropping the lead
• extends due process protections for healthcare professionals in the instance that the insurance company drops
• extends due process protections for healthcare professionals in the instance that the insurance company drops

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Health considered a series of health-related bills, many of which were reported favorably. Among the measures approved were SB 999, which would restructure Medicaid reimbursement for early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment services for children with IEPs or disabilities; SB 1816, lowering the state definition of elevated blood lead levels to 3.5 micrograms per deciliter; SB 1911A, extending due process protections for health care professionals when insurers terminate or fail to renew them; and SB 3105, allowing reciprocity for out-of-state medical cannabis patients. The committee also advanced SB 4589 on federally qualified health center rate adequacy, SB 4955B on Medicaid Inspector General audit procedures, SB 9196 to ban new for-profit hospices, SB 9237 expanding the definition of family for certain foster care health facility services, and SB 9275 requiring Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care and prohibiting related discrimination. Several of these bills were sent to Finance, while others were sent to First Reading or Higher Education as noted. The committee also discussed SB 2625, which would expand pharmacists’ authority to prescribe, administer, and dispense medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. One member raised concerns about expanding scope of practice without coordination with primary care or a holistic review of patient conditions, and indicated opposition; the bill was nevertheless referred to Higher Education. SB 5056B, requiring the Department of Health to examine heat vulnerability and heat-related deaths, prompted discussion about whether the bill should explicitly require recommendations for prevention; the sponsor said the idea was to gather data and that recommendations could be added, and the bill advanced with some reservations. Other measures included SB 7460, reauthorizing a maternal infant care centers pilot program using an existing $350,000 appropriation, and SB 9388, requiring public notice and engagement when a general hospital closes or shuts down a psychiatric, mental health, or substance use unit. The hospital closure bill drew discussion about relocations and whether moves that shift services to a new site would trigger the community engagement process; the sponsor said they would. Most bills were approved by voice vote, with some members voting no or without recommendation on certain measures, and the committee adjourned after reporting the bills onward.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a 10-point drop. The other oldest state is Colorado.
• That's a 10-point drop. The other oldest state is Colorado.
• That's a 10-point drop. The other oldest state is Colorado.
• That's a 10-point drop. The other oldest state is Colorado.
• That's a 10-point drop. The other oldest state is Colorado.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There was a lot of concern about something called a 15-day drop.
• Let's see if we can get House File 51 done one dropped.
• Let's see if we can get House File 51 done one dropped.
• Let's see if we can get House File 51 done one dropped.
• Let's see if we can get House File 51 done one dropped.

Bills: HF51, HF1161, HF2201, HF2786, HF1053

Keywords: HF51, Sibley County, State-Aid Highway 21, capital investment, bonding bill, general obligation bonds, transportation infrastructure, road improvements, sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, local infrastructure, county grant, Minnesota Department of Transportation, bond proceeds fund, public works, utility infrastructure, education finance, school district funding, tax base adjustment

Transcript Highlights:

• was, we specifically took those rifles as far as we could to see where they would drop too much.
• in the bullet over five shots it drop in the bullet over five shots it was<00:27:52.480> still
• was we specifically took those drop was we specifically took those rifles<00:28:04.960> to<00
• too much um and where they would drop too much um and there<00:28:10.640> was<00:28:10.760>
• By the fifth shot, they were down to about 900 feet per second, so the drop was not significant.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , you know, they drop the class and they lose TOPS.
• The LDA has dropped green cards on numerous pieces of his legislation.
• The LDA has dropped green cards on numerous pieces of his legislation.
• I'm dropping green cards and assisting, I think even testifying for Ms.
• I believe I dropped green cards on other bills for the public defender.

Summary: The Finance Committee met on May 27, 2026, with six members present and took up a series of House bills, most of them dealing with education funding, criminal justice staffing, transportation, health care access, and economic development. HB 325 was reported favorably after testimony that it would expand TOPS eligibility by allowing dual-enrollment credits to satisfy eligibility criteria and by making part-time students eligible for TOPS Tech, with supporters saying the program has been underused and the change would help working students. HB 719 was amended and reported favorably to increase assistant district attorney positions in various judicial districts; the Louisiana District Attorneys Association said the changes were based on workload data and local input, and members discussed the need to coordinate any expansion with public defender funding. The committee also reported HB 749 favorably, which would move Louisiana’s 529 savings accounts to a more secure online platform after a cyber incident, and HB 1028 favorably, which concerns transportation reimbursement for providers and was described as already subject to appropriation. Several bills focused on food access and local economic development. HB 1222, the Grocery Initiative Act, was reported favorably to let LED use existing grant resources to map food deserts and develop a program, with members noting it could return for funding later if needed. HB 1194 was amended and reported favorably to define food deserts and direct the LSU AgCenter and the Department of Agriculture and Forestry to identify and map them, with authors emphasizing it was a study and not a government-run grocery program. HB 755, which would create IDIQ contracting for architects and engineers on smaller state projects, was reported favorably with no fiscal impact. HB 823, a local diversion pilot for Orleans Parish, was also reported favorably after the fiscal note was revised to remove state impact and reflect only local costs. The committee spent substantial time on HB 488, a proposal from Plaquemines Parish to use severance-tax revenue to help buy out a private toll concession on the parish’s bridge. The author and local officials described severe toll burdens, economic harm to local businesses, and what they called an unfair contract, but members noted the bill was not funded and ultimately deferred it without a motion. HB 797, the Bayou Gold/Louisiana Sound Money Act, was amended to make implementation subject to appropriation and then reported favorably. The committee also took up HB 198, which would raise Medicaid reimbursement for ambulatory surgery centers for certain outpatient procedures; after extensive discussion about fiscal notes, access to care, and potential long-term savings, the bill was amended to narrow its scope and make implementation subject to appropriation, then reported favorably as amended. The meeting ended with the chair noting it would be the committee’s last meeting and asking members to spread the word.

Transcript Highlights:

• She dropped out of high school at 16 when she became pregnant.
• She dropped out of high school at 16 when she became a too many others in our state.
• She dropped out of high school at 16 when she became pregnant.
• So has that increased since we initially, since LEARNS initially passed, and also has it dropped?
• I mean, have there been districts who have dropped out because their attendance has dropped, and so they

Summary: The House and Senate Education Committee first approved minutes from February 2 and 3, then took up an interim study proposal on adult education and the Excel Center model. Representatives from Goodwill Industries of Arkansas, the Excel Center network, and the University of Notre Dame’s Lab for Economic Opportunities testified that roughly 300,000 Arkansans over age 19 lack a high school diploma or GED, and argued that the Excel Center provides a supported diploma pathway for adults who struggle with GED testing. Witnesses highlighted wraparound services such as free child care, transportation assistance, tutoring, life coaching, and career services, and cited outcomes including high retention, growing enrollment, and research showing higher employment and earnings and lower criminal justice involvement for graduates. Committee members raised questions about the state’s role, existing adult education programs, and how the study would be structured; the motion to adopt the ISP passed, though there was some procedural disagreement about when questions should have been taken. The committee then heard a detailed adequacy funding overview from BLR staff Katie Walden and Adrian Beck on Arkansas K-12 education finance. They reviewed national funding principles and explained Arkansas’s system, including state and local revenue sources, the Public School Fund, the Educational Excellence Trust Fund, the Educational Adequacy Fund, and the Facilities Partnership Program. Staff said K-12 state and local revenues totaled $6.6 billion in 2025, with foundation funding making up the largest share of district and charter funding, followed by additional, categorical, and supplemental funds. They also explained the matrix-based foundation formula, the role of the uniform rate of tax, and how categorical and supplemental funds support areas such as alternative learning, English learners, special education high-cost cases, teacher salary equalization, declining enrollment, and student growth. Members asked several follow-up questions about how specific funding categories are defined and used, including student support staff, instructional aides, special education high-cost occurrences, ALE funding, teacher salary equalization, and the inclusion of Excel Center amounts in state-local funding totals. Staff said some of those details would be addressed in a later presentation and offered to provide additional records, including district lists and historical information. The meeting ended after the funding overview, with no additional votes or actions beyond the ISP adoption and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• it creates a kind of vicious cycle where increasing rates push people out of the market, so folks drop
• There is not a bus they can take to drop their kids off at daycare.
• There is not a bus they can take to drop their kids off at daycare.
• There is not a bus they can take to drop their kids off at daycare.
• There is not a bus they can take to drop their kids off at daycare.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• If a student drops out of JU or Flagler, the money is returned to JU, or if that student transfers to
• If a student drops out of JU or Flagler, the money is returned to JU, or if that student transfers to
• drop-off, perhaps.
• And so that has led to a small proration in the second term and has dropped them out just a little bit
• from a different perspective, do you have the data that would show the percentage of students who drop

Summary: The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee heard and advanced House Bill 1145, which clarifies that public charter schools may participate in the CAP Grant Fund. The bill’s amendment expanded a separate “money-back guarantee” concept for state colleges, requiring participating institutions to offer six eligible programs and refund tuition if graduates do not find qualifying employment within six months under standardized job-search requirements. Members asked about refund rates, student notification, fiscal impact, and whether the proposal accounted for disability or out-of-state job searches. Public testimony on the amendment and bill was in support from Nathan Hoffman of the Foundation for Florida’s Future, and the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute by a 16-1 vote, with Representative Aristide voting no over the charter school issue. The committee then received presentations on the William L. Boyd IV Effective Access to Student Education (EASE) Grant and the private nonprofit college sector. Department of Education staff explained that EASE, created in 1979, provides tuition assistance to eligible full-time undergraduates at participating private institutions, with a 2024-25 maximum award of $3,500 and an additional EASE Plus incentive of up to $850 for students in high-demand fields. The department reviewed the program’s funding history, disbursement process, and accountability metrics, including access, affordability, graduation, retention, and postgraduate employment/continuing education. Members asked about award proration, eligibility for other aid, religious-program restrictions, and why some institutions had low or unavailable graduation-rate data. ICUF President Robert Boyd argued that EASE is a strong return on investment and described ICUF institutions as not-for-profit, four-year schools serving many Pell-eligible, adult, military, and minority students. He said the sector produces a significant share of Florida’s bachelor’s, graduate, nursing, and education degrees, and highlighted ICUF’s dashboard with additional transparency metrics, program earnings data, and net price calculators. Boyd and members discussed graduation and completion rates, NCLEX passage rates, affordability, institutional flexibility, and whether schools with lower graduation rates should be compared differently because of their student populations. The presentations ended with no further business, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The percentage of felony sentences involving defendants with no prior criminal history points dropped
• with no prior criminal<00:04:24.400> history<00:04:24.880> points<00:04:25.880> dropped
• <00:04:26.560> by criminal history points dropped by criminal history points dropped by 47%
• don't know if that was a repeat offender, but I'm sharing this information to tell you how far we've dropped
• Tuesday, the city reported significant decreases in violent crime this year: 47% drops in robberies,

Keywords: 1183, house