Video & Transcript Research : 'Gulf Coast'

Page 10 of 186
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

November 5, 2025 - 08:30 AM

Education & Employment Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • When you look at Florida Gulf Coast University at 100%, University of West Florida at 98%, University
  • First, members, I just want to share how proud I know myself and Representative Nix are of Florida Gulf
  • Coast University.
Summary: The Education and Employment Committee met with a quorum and considered one bill, HB 121 by Representative Overdorf, relating to nursing education programs. The sponsor said Florida’s nursing shortage is projected to worsen and argued that low NCLEX passage rates show some programs are not adequately preparing students. The bill would tighten probation for underperforming programs, require program directors to be accountable, authorize Department of Health on-site inspections, require admission criteria and public posting of NCLEX passage rates, and require tuition reimbursement and free remediation for students at programs with passage rates below 30 percent. Members asked about how the bill would interact with the Board of Nursing, the Commission for Independent Education, and other agencies, and whether it would address fraudulent or low-quality schools. An opponent from the Florida Association of Independent Nursing Schools said current law already requires Board of Nursing and commission review, institutional accreditation, and provisional status for programs on probation, and argued the bill could reduce the supply of nurses. He also said Florida’s NCLEX results had recently improved. A representative of the Florida Nurses Association supported the bill, saying weak programs waste students’ time and money and do not produce licensed nurses. During debate, several members described concerns about diploma mills, fraudulent programs, student debt, and the need for stronger screening and accountability. Others emphasized that raising standards would improve patient safety and help ensure better-prepared nurses. The chair noted the importance of private nursing colleges in the state’s nursing pipeline. The committee then voted 19-0 to report HB 121 favorably and adjourned.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House of Representatives Apr 28th, 2026

Louisiana House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • They are the Coast Guard jurisdiction. Because those are the bigger bodies that we want to...
  • They are the Coast Guard jurisdiction.
  • Because they're not under the Coast Guard's jurisdiction, where they're not mandated to have a Coast
  • That's the bill, that's the charter that the Coast Guard is under.
  • That's the bodies of water that's under the Coast Guard's jurisdiction.
Summary: The House met on April 27, 2026, with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of personal privileges recognizing Domestic Violence Prevention and Advocacy Day, Guarantee Corporation’s 100th anniversary, Delta Waterfowl, FFA and 4-H students, St. Bernard Parish Day, the Louisiana Notary Association, and New Orleans Day. The chamber also received Senate messages, committee reports, and introduced several resolutions, including measures on Gulf States renewable energy, asthma and allergy awareness, St. Bernard Parish Day, and other commemorations. The floor then took up a long series of bills and resolutions. Among the notable measures were House Bill 316 on literacy and tutoring, House Bill 578 changing statutory references from gender to sex, House Bill 748 expanding toll exemptions for school board vehicles, House Bill 101 redesignating a portion of U.S. Highway 190 as the Jesse Jackson Memorial Highway, House Bill 1032 cleaning up DWI terminology, House Bill 1081 transferring the Louisiana Ports and Waterways Investment Commission, House Bill 1108 creating a homeschool pride prestige plate, House Bill 1129 giving in-state auctioneers preference for selling surplus state property, House Bill 1157 creating a Louisiana State Infrastructure Bank, House Bill 1192 creating a dental hygienist prestige plate, House Bill 1195 revising athletic commission rules and NIL-related provisions, House Bill 1198 barring arbitration in child custody and visitation matters, House Bill 181 allowing limited tax-data sharing for Medicaid/SNAP integrity, House Bill 1118 requiring disclosure of hospital ownership by real estate investment trusts, House Bill 1082 changing venue rules in suits involving municipal police employees’ retirement systems, House Bill 225 proposing a lifetime two-term limit for governor, House Bill 864 on municipal fire limits and storage of flammables, House Bill 1189 requiring captain’s licenses for certain freshwater charter guides, and House Bill 549 creating the Bayou Growth Opportunity Workforce Program. Most measures passed, often after brief debate and technical amendments. Several bills were recommitted or returned to the calendar, including House Bill 902, House Bill 1245, and House Bill 1247, while House Bill 225 failed on final passage. The House also considered and passed multiple Senate bills dealing with tax administration, child custody testimony, Supreme Court disciplinary jurisdiction over out-of-state lawyers, civil investigation demands in Medicaid fraud cases, service of process fees and notice, and permanent homestead exemption registration. The session ended with the House in recess after completing its bill agenda for the day.
MS

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

MS House Floor - 7 January, 2026; 2:00 PM

Mississippi House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • That means on behalf of the Gulf Coast delegation, we invite you to the reception tonight at Trademark
  • That means on behalf of<00:09:05.360><c> the</c><00:09:05.519><c> G</c><00:09:05.839><c> Coast</c><00
  • </c><00:09:07.040><c> delegation,</c><00:09:07.760><c> we</c><00:09:08.000><c> invite</c> of the G Coast
  • U delegation, we invite of the G Coast U delegation, we invite you<00:09:08.480><c> to</c><00:09:08.720
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Natural Resources and Environment Mar 25th, 2026

Natural Resources & Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • As such, it has significant recreational and economic importance across the Gulf.
  • Every other Gulf and Atlantic state recognizes and protects this species.
  • As such, it has significant recreational and economic importance across the Gulf.
  • Every other Gulf and Atlantic state recognizes and protects this species.
  • You know, we hear a lot about culture in Louisiana and the culture along the coast.
Keywords: 965, house, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session Feb 20th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Municipal League would be against that so the city of Baytown has been an economic hub for our Texas Gulf
  • Coast and really all of Texas and Exxon Baytown is here with us as well. well as an over a hundred-year-old
  • We truly miss him deeply and all he did for not just Baytown, but for the whole Gulf Coast region and
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Intergovernmental Affairs Jun 24th, 2026

Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • The other thing in Galveston County, we started Gulf Coast Center, which has been very successful.
  • I know I'm, uh, I was there for the initiation of the Gulf Coast Center and it's wonderful.
  • I know I'm, uh, I was there for the initiation of the Gulf Coast Center and it's wonderful.
  • We've only had that recently in Galveston County with the Gulf Coast Center.
  • I actually am on the board for the local mental health authority, Gulf Coast.
Keywords: 1184, house, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Energy Resources Mar 31st, 2025

Energy Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Bureau, and specifically the scientists of the Gulf Coast Carbon Center, can imagine participation
  • In most of Texas, no, because most of the coast you're dealing with sedimentary formations.
  • In Texas, the ripe areas are the Gulf Coast, Far East Texas, and Far West Texas in the Rio Grande Valley
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House of Representatives Apr 14th, 2026

Louisiana House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • House Resolution by Representative Hilferty to commend Guy Williams, President of Gulf Coast Bank and
  • He is a former captain in the Coast Guard. He graduated from the Coast Guard Academy.
  • He is a former captain in the Coast Guard. He graduated from the Coast Guard Academy.
  • Well, we know that the coast has changed. We've lost a lot of coastal territory.
  • They used to catch multiple tarpons right off the coast of Grand Isle.
Bills: HR133, HR134, HR135, HR136, HR137, HR138, HR139, HR140, HR141, HR142, HR143, HR144, HR145, HR146, HR147, HR148, HR149, HR150, HR151, HR152, HR119, HR120, HR121, HR122, HR123, HR125, HR126, HR127, HR128, HR129, HR130, HR131, HR132, HCR53, HCR54, HCR55, HCR56, SCR3, SCR22, SB4, SB18, SB66, SB106, SB201, SB256, SB274, SB292, SB326, SB386, SB406, SB422, SB423, SB456, SB475, HCR3, HB1, HB3, HB27, HB71, HB214, HB225, HB241, HB244, HB306, HB312, HB313, HB314, HB345, HB366, HB383, HB446, HB473, HB511, HB514, HB655, HB730, HB743, HB836, HB983, HB1027, HB1037, HB1043, HB1082, HB1091, HB1096, HB1103, HB1126, HB1167, HB1174, HB1175, HB1230, HB1237, HB1238, SB162, SB349, SB350, SB382, SB383, HB76, HB132, HB181, HB210, HB250, HB265, HB275, HB291, HB322, HB342, HB475, HB486, HB616, HB635, HB639, HB690, HB740, HB757, HB761, HB774, HB808, HB855, HB872, HB883, HB886, HB903, HB949, HB962, HB996, HB1003, HB1036, HB1054, HB1071, HB1076, HB1078, HB1113, HB1132, HB1146, HB1232, HB1233, HB21, HB24, HB29, HB31, HB39, HB45, HB77, HB136, HB150, HB263, HB273, HB299, HB315, HB376, HB377, HB431, HB444, HB450, HB519, HB533, HB538, HB559, HB562, HB663, HB664, HB715, HB717, HB805, HB822, HB823, HB834, HB864, HB867, HB1017, HB1018, HB1068, HB1134, HB1137, HB1234, HB1235, HB1236, HB961, HB399, HB868, HB905, HB180, HB192, HB284, HB476, HB915, HB952, HB1006, HB401, HB51, HB58, HB140, HB982, HB1010, HB750, HB911, HB977, HB901, HR20, HR74, HB9, HB151, HB193, HB310, HB393, HB459, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB615, HB682, HB733, HB773
Summary: The House met with a quorum and spent much of the day on personal privileges, recognizing visiting groups and designating several commemorative days, including Sigma Gamma Rho Day, Alpha Kappa Alpha Day, Italian Festival royalty, Acadiana’s Red and White Day, and Louisiana Automobile Dealer Day. Members also welcomed students, civic leaders, former legislators, a state pageant titleholder, and a visiting African law enforcement delegation focused on combating human trafficking. The chamber received Senate bills and committee reports, and several resolutions were adopted without objection, including condolences resolutions and commendations for schools, festivals, and public service organizations. The House then took up a long series of bills, with many passing on final passage after brief debate or technical amendments. Measures addressed topics such as notification of inmate releases from parish jails and DOC facilities (HB 76), ethics and financial disclosure, video voyeurism involving deceased persons (HB 265, renamed the Jacob Carter Dignity and Death Act), health insurance claim practices (HB 291), victim access to parole testimony without fees (HB 32), special education due process burden of proof (HB 342), AI disclosure in medical settings (HB 475), the psychology interjurisdictional compact (HB 486), homelessness provider oversight (HB 616), AI disclosure in campaign calls (HB 639), Medicaid managed care claim review (HB 740), menhaden fishing restrictions (HB 757 and HB 855), HIV exposure law modernization (HB 808), and rare cancer treatment advisory board changes (HB 761). Most of these bills passed with strong support; HB 342 passed 98-3, HB 639 passed 86-9, HB 808 passed 99-0, and HB 855 drew the most extended debate, with supporters citing science-based conservation and opponents warning about harm to the menhaden industry and coastal jobs. The House also adopted committee amendments and set several major fiscal measures as special orders for April 16, including HB 1, HB 2, HB 3, HB 313, HB 383, HB 983, and HB 1126. Additional bills were advanced to third reading from committee reports, and the chamber returned some measures to the calendar for later consideration. Overall, the meeting was marked by ceremonial recognitions, a heavy legislative agenda, and multiple substantive policy votes across education, health, criminal justice, transportation, ethics, and natural resources.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Rules Committee May 6th, 2026

Rules

Transcript Highlights:
  • the Central Valley region, and we're hoping that a similar program will be developed on the Central Coast
  • We do have dependencies, including the Persian Gulf.
  • to ...to, for the sake of crude oil, move from the Persian Gulf to Latin America.
  • It's either Washington, the state of Washington, or from the Gulf Coast.
  • And the Gulf Coast molecules typically go through the Bahamas and come back to California.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Natural Resources Feb 10th, 2026

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • The ones that kind of follow the contours of the Gulf Coast, they're layered in a direction that are
  • dipping towards the Gulf Coast, so where they get exposed to the surface are kind of in bands that follow
  • You see that with the Gulf Coast system, they outcrop closest and then you see the Trinity, the Carrizo
  • Gulf Coast, Corpus Christi.
  • The Trinity is tighter sands, but we definitely see that in the Gulf Coast Aquifer, say in the Houston
Keywords: 1184, house, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Finance May 21st, 2025

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • Gulf Coast farm raised oysters or either East Coast oysters that can come into the state.
  • One box of Gulf oysters weighs about 44 pounds, so when you think of all of that weight and that shell
Bills: HB104
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session Feb 25th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Come get some great Gulf Coast. seafood.
  • These men and women represent a true gem of the Gulf Coast and work tirelessly. to maintain a community
Summary: The meeting was marked by significant resolutions recognizing various contributions to Texas and celebrating community initiatives. Key discussions included the adoption of resolutions commemorating Texas Hispanic Judges Day and highlighting the 100th anniversary of Memorial Park. Senators expressed appreciation for the judges' dedication and legacy, with notable mentions of individual judges and their impact on the community and legal landscape in Texas. The Senate also honored students and organizations contributing positively to their communities, showcasing the interconnectedness of public service and the legislative process.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session (Part II) May 8th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • for the construction of a 546. the wind farm that, frankly, was a boondoggle just 24 miles off the coast
  • Ultimately, the proposed leases off the coast of Galveston received no bids due to a lack of competitive
  • Wind turbines off the coast of New Jersey could interfere with radar systems associated with NORAD and
  • is important for Texas to take action to prevent future administrations from exploiting the Texas coast
  • Mexico replaces it with Gulf of America as we've already passed SB1717, officially renaming the Gulf.
Bills: HJR98, HJR99, HB29, HB136, HB142, HB166, HB353, HB1399, HB2000, SJR59, SCR19, SB128, SB261, SB317, SB383, SB393, SB397, SB466, SB517, SB571, SB612, SB705, SB715, SB731, SB748, SB801, SB867, SB913, SB945, SB946, SB986, SB1013, SB1071, SB1086, SB1087, SB1117, SB1181, SB1250, SB1263, SB1285, SB1444, SB1483, SB1528, SB1553, SB1556, SB1608, SB1723, SB1858, SB1946, SB1957, SB1986, SB1999, SB2043, SB2056, SB2082, SB2105, SB2133, SB2138, SB2177, SB2203, SB2221, SB2311, SB2334, SB2337, SB2340, SB2373, SB2417, SB2446, SB2452, SB2477, SB2532, SB2565, SB2587, SB2615, SB2622, SB2633, SB2637, SB2681, SB2713, SB2717, SB2781, SB2782, SB2835, SB2841, SB2857, SB2891, SB2943, SB2994, SB2995, SB3016, SB3047, SB3057, SB3059, SJR3, SB5, SB72, SB509, SB616, SB963, SB985, SB1143, SB1172, SB1267, SB1271, SB1273, SB1759, SB1786, SB2361, SB1025, SB1080, SB1245, SB1355, SB1422, SB1, SB260, SB1506, SB1637, HJR98, HJR99, HJR2, HJR1, HB1109, HB1392, HB22, HB3093, HB517, HB1130, HB142, HB1689, HB2018, HB136, HB2884, HB1393, HB2730, HB1399, HB1244, HB467, HB331, HB2559, HB29, HB26, HB166, HB353, HB2000, HB2756, HB3248, HB3513, HB3204, HB3135, HB3012, HB2763, HB2523, HB2457, HB2415, HB2198, HB2143, HB1708, HB1672, HB767, HB1327, HB2723, HB451, HB140, HB109, HB3096, HCR6, HCR12, HCR29, HCR50, HCR55, HCR56, HCR58, HCR70, HCR71, HCR74, HCR78, HCR80, HCR107, HCR116, HCR117, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SJR59, SCR12, SCR39, SCR48, SCR19, SB2023, SB1957, SB2615, SB2138, SB3016, SB1999, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB1073, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB507, SB1434, SB1772, SB2016, SB1163, SB1122, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB261, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB209, SB2429, SB511, SB2309, SB510, SB1085, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB636, SB2056, SB884, SB517, SB1200, SB1845, SB2681, SB2458, SB801, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB1013, SB2797, SB2076, SB2876, SB715, SB1640, SB2538, SB1449, SB1181, SB1359, SB410, SB1234, SB2926, SB2972, SB2841, SB1856, SB1528, SB1373, SB672, SB2891, SB1854, SB317, SB2539, SB2532, SB1250, SB2082, SB2203, SB1285, SB1454, SB2520, SB1237, SB1586, SB2819, SB629, SB2342, SB2903, SB2477, SB3029, SB375, SB777, SB2367, SB2703, SB2608, SB2965, SB2521, SB2165, SB2501, SB2452, SB2835, SB1602, SB1704, SB1723, SB1858, SB1946, SB2009, SB2177, SB2460, SB2785, SB2373, SB867, SB1608, SB640, SB1698, SB383, SB705, SB748, SB1117, SB2340, SB2680, SB2994, SB2747, SB1950, SB913, SB1071, SB1086, SB1087, SB1483, SB1444, SB1553, SB1556, SB1703, SB2133, SB2297, SB2298, SB2622, SB2955, SB3059, SB2782, SB2781, SB2637, SB2633, SB2337, SB2334, SB1861, SB2043, SB1367, SB946, SB945, SB2857, SB128, SB571, SB1263, SB3058, SB612, SB2221, SB2587, SB2044, SB2363, SB2713, SB2311, SB1986, SB2565, SB2943, SB1888, SB2417, SB3048, SB3052, SB3053, SB3036, SB3057, SB3056, SB3043, SB3037, SB3050, SB3063, SB3047, SB3035, SB2446, SB466, SB2611, SB2794, SB2105, SB2017, SB1790, SB1778, SB1730, SB2995, SB2847, SB205, SB2619, SB1903, SB203, SB3061, SB1581, SB2600, SB2799, SB2790, SB2688, SB2515, SB1230, SB876, SB2522, SB2639, SB2137, SB2519, SB2403, SB2459, SB3051, SB2655, SB2251, SB2764, SB2878, SB1884, SB111, SB582, SB2617, SB1835, SB2751, SB2959, HB206, HB1238, HB1089, HB2890, HB9, HB2081, HB4215, HB2970, SB2063, SB1400, SB2058, SB2260, SB2928, SB1310
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Land & Resource Management Jul 21st, 2026

Land & Resource Management

Transcript Highlights:
  • And keep in mind that from the coast, from the coast to 10.3 miles out, I think it...
  • And keep in mind that from the coast, from the coast to 10.3 miles out, that's also...
  • And also from the coast to 10.3 miles out into the Gulf, that's also Permanent School Fund land.
  • And keep in mind that from the coast, from the coast to 10.3 miles out, I think it.
  • And also from the coast to 10.3 miles out into the Gulf, that's also a permanent school fund land.
Keywords: 1184, house, all
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Energy Resources Mar 31st, 2025

Energy Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • Uh, the bureau and specifically the scientists of the Gulf Coast Carbon Center can imagine participation
  • would present a problem for this type of technology in most of Texas, you know, because most of the coast
  • This, in Texas, the ripe areas of the Gulf Coast, Far East Texas and far West Texas in the Rio Grande
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Natural Resources Mar 5th, 2025

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • Most of our manufacturing sites are located along the Texas coast. coast and rely on surface water from
  • Coast and across the state is looking at conservation.
  • We could do desal down on the coast.
  • The Gulf Coast aquifer, which spans Approximately 430 miles covering 54 counties in Texas is a major
  • Gulf Coast Aquifer.
Keywords: 1184, house, all
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Judiciary Mar 25th, 2025

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • I have swum in the Gulf. I have had... But I disagree. Walton County had customary use for years.
  • I have swum in the Gulf.
  • Army Corps of Engineers, it came to be to the Gulf. That's how they defined it.
  • Army Corps of engineers, it came to be to the Gulf. That's how they defined it.
  • Only 5% of vacation homes are Gulf front.
Summary: The committee first took up CS for Senate Bill 304, which would address child protective investigations involving children with certain pre-existing genetic or medical conditions. Senator Sharif said the bill is intended to prevent children from being wrongly removed from their families when symptoms of conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta, rickets, or vitamin deficiencies are mistaken for abuse. Several parents and advocates testified in support, describing long dependency cases and removals they said were caused by misdiagnosis. The committee adopted a substitute amendment that removed language requiring certain medical personnel to provide differential-diagnosis analysis, and the bill then passed favorably with unanimous support. The committee then heard SB 1430 on post-judgment execution proceedings relating to terrorism, sponsored by Senator Collins, who described the long effort by U.S. victims of the FARC to enforce a federal judgment and recover assets. The bill would clarify procedures for terrorism-related judgments, modernize intangible asset law, and help prevent terrorists from hiding assets or blocking wire transfers. After one supportive appearance form and no debate, the bill passed favorably. The committee also approved SB 96, a local claims bill for Jacob Rogers, and SB 382, an affordable housing rent bill that was amended to define base rent and apply to certain shorter-term rental agreements entered after July 1, 2026; SB 382 drew support from housing advocates and some opposition, but passed unanimously. Several claims bills were also approved: SB 4 for Patricia Armini, SB 6 for Jose Correa, SB 28 for Darlene Engerville and J.R., SB 30 for the estate of M.N., and SB 24 for Mandy Penny Lemon, each involving injuries or damages caused by local government or hospital district negligence and each reported favorably after brief testimony and roll calls. The committee also passed SB 658 on waiver or release of liens after discussion about form language and enforceability. SB 72, which would allow campaign funds to pay certain child care expenses incurred while a candidate is actively campaigning, prompted questions about definitions and safeguards; the sponsor said the bill would require the expense to exist only because of campaign activity, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved SB 1142 on release of conservation easements, which would create a statewide process for releasing certain small, low-value parcels from conservation easements if mitigation credits are secured elsewhere. The bill drew support from the sponsor and a property representative, but environmental advocates and President Passidomo raised concerns about flood control, wildlife corridors, and whether the bill was too property-specific; the sponsor said he would continue working on the language. The committee also heard extensive testimony on SB 1622, which would repeal the 2018 customary use law and restore local authority over public beach access. Supporters argued the current law has privatized beaches, hurt tourism, and led to harassment and conflict, while opponents defended private property rights and warned against taking away owners’ ability to exclude others. The transcript ends during testimony on SB 1622, before a final vote is shown.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Community Affairs Mar 11th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • IN THE WEST COAST OF FLORIDA AND IN MY COUNTY OF PINELLAS WHERE MY CONSTITUENTS ARE FACING THE CHALLENGE
  • BEING IN PINELLAS COUNTY REPRESENTING HALF A MILLION PEOPLE IN OUR COUNTY TOUCHING THE GULF OF AMERICA
  • SENATE BILL 608 RENAMES THE GULF OF MEXICO TO THE GULF OF AMERICA THROUGHOUT FLORIDA STATUTES.
  • THE BILL DOES NOT RENAME US 41 GULF OF AMERICA STREET OR WHATEVER. >> THE STATUTE ONLY THE WORD GULF
  • OF MEXICO TO GULF OF AMERICA. >> Sen.
Keywords: 999, senate, all
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Education May 7th, 2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • And just yesterday went over to Suella and took a tour and actually got a presentation from the Gulf
  • Coast Industrial Group.
  • that are being presented before them is close to $850 billion for the projects, and that's in the Gulf
  • Coast.
Summary: The committee met with a large docket and adopted the April 29 minutes. Several bills were heard and advanced, mostly on education, workforce, literacy, early childhood, charter schools, and student mental health. Testimony was generally supportive, with many witnesses waiving in favor; a few bills drew questions about implementation, student awareness, and whether proposals were sufficiently broad or specific. House Bill 406, requiring the Department of Education to study the direction and regulation of interscholastic high school athletics and report back by March 1, 2027, was reported favorably after testimony from a retired principal who urged an open-minded study and discussion from the bill author about compliance and the bill’s purpose. House Bill 380, creating a pilot program between community and technical colleges and local school systems to expand awareness of CDL, entry-level driver training, and related programs, was also reported favorably. House Bill 807, creating a workforce and structure capacity investment program and fund to help industry partner with colleges to train instructors, was reported favorably after support from higher education and industry witnesses; senators raised interest in adding a stronger health care component and in reaching students earlier, but the author said he would work on amendments. The committee also advanced House Bill 316 on adolescent literacy and high-dose tutoring, with amendments clarifying teacher training timing, existing statutory bans on outdated literacy practices, and charter school participation; House Bill 1146, consolidating early childhood governance into a commission; House Bill 28, creating an appeal path for denied teacher certification applicants through BESE; and House Bill 992, assigning early childhood education identification numbers to support data collection on outcomes. House Concurrent Resolution 26, urging BESE to add the science of human growth and development to science and health standards and provide approved instructional resources, was amended and reported favorably. House Bill 386, allowing local districts to let locally authorized charter schools operate as their own LEA under district rules, was amended and reported favorably. House Bill 392, expanding suicide prevention information requirements on school websites, ID cards, handbooks, and signage, was reported favorably as well.