Transcript Highlights:

• Our turnover rate increases over time, which causes a bigger problem in our workforce.
• As Gail noted, we have a catastrophic workforce crisis.
• Since COVID, we have lost 31% of our workforce.
• So the bottom is going to fall out of the state workforce.
• We are still missing over... ...25% of our workforce from the pandemic.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

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

Transcript Highlights:

• participate in 10 of the compacts because they are a very important tool in being able to enable workforce
• military who end up being relocated to North Dakota have a much easier time becoming a part of the workforce
• perhaps in some cases a section on what North Dakota state law might. tool in being able to enable workforce
• military who end up being relocated to North Dakota have a much easier time becoming a part of the workforce
• advancement in North Dakota. ...for us to make it easier for workforce advancement in North Dakota,

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Health Care Task Force reconvened to hear reports from its divisions. The Appropriations Division reviewed a draft bill appropriating $198 million in federal grant funds for the current year and another $198 million for the next grant year, authorizing DHS to transfer funds within its budget, allowing OMB to adjust federal fund authority for related grants, speeding procurement and bulk purchasing, requiring grant recipients to acknowledge the temporary nature of the funding, and mandating periodic reporting. After questions were answered to the division’s satisfaction, the committee voted to forward the appropriations bill draft to Legislative Management. The Policy Division then reviewed four bills. One would require the presidential physical fitness test to be included in high school physical education; another would require physicians to complete one hour of continuing education on nutrition and metabolic health each renewal cycle; a third would add physician assistants to the interstate licensure compact framework; and a fourth would authorize limited pharmacist prescriptive authority and therapeutic substitution. Members generally supported the first three measures and noted that the pharmacist bill had been amended in discussion but was left in its current form so stakeholders could comment before the special session. The division also discussed that all four policy bills were tied to the federal grant funding and that failure to pass them, or changing them in a way that reduced CMS scoring, could reduce or eliminate funding. Department officials confirmed that if any of the bills failed or were altered in a way that lowered the score, the state could lose money and could not make up the points elsewhere. Members raised concerns about the physical fitness bill, including possible exemptions for students with severe illnesses or physical limitations, and noted the need for DPI input. Leadership indicated the special session hearings would likely begin Wednesday morning. The committee then approved a motion for Legislative Council to prepare a committee report for Legislative Management and adjourned, noting the task force may need to remain available during the special session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Greater Minnesota Workforce Housing Development Program also has a $10 million appropriation in the
• The increases to the Workforce and Affordable Home Ownership Program of $3 million and the Challenge
• Greater Minnesota workforce development at a $10 Million increase and Greater Minnesota infrastructure
• expand production and preservation of affordable homeownership units through investments in the Workforce
• The investments you've included in the Workforce and Affordable Homeownership Development Program will

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill removes the sunset for the workforce diploma program.
• It has the fast-track workforce incentive grant.
• department. ...and workforce development.
• We just needed to clarify the term eligible workforce training programs.
• The Workforce Diploma piece takes just the sunsets off of the workforce diploma and doesn't touch anything

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any thought of using existing workforce that's maybe out in the of using existing workforce
• grants because we don't want to see a moving around the deck of health care workforce.
• grants because we don't want to see a moving around the deck of health care workforce.
• And this is workforce retention. Because again, we aren't in a shortage. We are in a crisis.
• Workforce retention. Because again, we aren't in a shortage. We are in a crisis.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first approved the December 10 minutes and then received a DEQ base budget summary and agency overview. DEQ staff explained that the agency is largely federally and special funded, with major ongoing costs in salaries, operating expenses, grants, and continuing appropriations. Director Dave Glatt and accounting director Beth Jacobson highlighted core programs, the move to a new chemistry laboratory, the new state fuel inspection program, wastewater-related funding from HB 1577, and implementation of SB 2267 for on-site wastewater rules. They also noted the agency’s spending patterns, possible federal EPA cuts, and the likelihood of some fee adjustments or program changes if federal support declines. Members asked about DEQ’s travel, field offices, future staffing, and how the agency would respond to reduced federal regulation. DEQ said most staff are based in Bismarck, with field offices in Fargo, Sawyer, and Gwinner, and that travel is driven by inspections and spill response. Glatt said the agency would continue to rely on science and law, and that any future federal retrenchment could mean more state responsibility but likely not a wholesale increase in FTEs. The committee also discussed a feedlot enforcement case in the Minot area, with DEQ explaining its role in ensuring compliance, permitting, and animal-waste management standards. The Department of Health and Human Services then presented on FTE block grant reporting, TANF balances, child care transfers, and the Rural Health Transformation Program. Donna Ockland explained that no line-item transfers had occurred yet for the new rural health work, but about 33 positions were planned and some current staff time could be reimbursed through approved cost allocation. HHS also reviewed TANF’s frozen eligibility and block grant structure, the transfer of up to 30% of TANF funds to child care, and recent program changes that increased benefits and raised the income limit. Staff said the department is using TANF more strategically to support child care and other allowable uses, while still carrying over unused funds as many states do. Finally, Pat and HHS staff gave an update on the Rural Health Transformation Program, saying the first funding opportunity was being posted and that the state is on track to obligate the federal funds within the required timeline. They described priorities such as workforce retention, preceptor development, technical assistance for critical access hospitals, community wellness projects, and ambulance upgrades. Members asked about rural versus urban eligibility, immigrant recruitment, evaluation of year-two funding, and how the program would address varied local workforce needs. The meeting then shifted to an Office of Management and Budget update on the new State Hospital project, where Lindsay Ashley reported continued construction progress, updated cost information, and selected alternates, with photos and details showing work underway in multiple building sections.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Lauren Schol-Thorst, and I'm the director of workplace management and workforce development
• of workplace management and workforce of workplace management and workforce development<00:15:09.120
• Well, if I go to college and I pay for my tuition and I get into the workforce for about a year and I
• Well, if I go to college and I pay for my tuition and I get into the workforce for about a year and I
• for about a and I get into the workforce for about a year<00:30:31.760> and<00:30:31.880>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• requests, but let's just look at Workforce Solutions.
• Okay, on line 141, this 750,000 it says for Personnel Workforce Solutions—implementing changes due to
• And I'm just wondering if it's not at Workforce Solutions. Where is it?
• I have a question about line 295: the Workforce Solutions Department to implement... ...and evaluate
• That funds workforce housing and infrastructure for affordable housing, which were gaps in our funding

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I need x amount<00:12:41.200> of<00:12:41.360> workforce.
• I want to be so amount of workforce.
• They'll try to finalize their workforce plans and so forth.
• They might have uh a workforce, right?
• > where<00:31:10.720> they particular workforce need where they particular workforce need

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Artificial Intelligence Task Force held its third meeting and adopted the prior minutes after a motion and second. The main presentation came from John Bevington of LG&E and KU, who described the utility’s Kentucky service territory, its vertically integrated operations, and its role in economic development. He said the company supported 76 projects in 2024, representing about $3 billion in announced investment and roughly 3,000 jobs, and noted that about 45% of statewide investment announcements were in its service area. He also outlined a large project pipeline of about 8.5 gigawatts, with data centers making up roughly two-thirds of that interest. Bevington explained that data center siting differs from traditional manufacturing site selection because it is driven primarily by transmission access and grid capacity rather than a process of eliminating locations. He said large data centers must locate near transmission lines, that utilities must conduct formal studies to ensure existing customers are not harmed, and that the buildout timeline for utility infrastructure is much longer than for data centers. He cited a Deloitte study and other industry data to argue that power constraints and timeline mismatches are the biggest challenges, while also emphasizing that data centers can generate significant construction activity, indirect jobs, and tax revenue. He said Kentucky’s sales tax exemption for data centers was a key enabler that increased interest in the state. Members asked about the number and size of potential data center projects, how Kentucky compares with other states, and whether regulatory reform is needed. Bevington said the 20 projects in Kentucky reflect current interest, that other states such as Ohio have had similar incentives for years, and that Kentucky is still early in the market. He also said data centers can vary in size, from 200 to 600 megawatts or more, and that they can be located anywhere with sufficient transmission capacity and, in some cases, access to workforce and roads. In response to concerns about energy supply, he said LG&E and KU are pursuing an “all of the above” strategy, including solar, batteries, and new natural gas combined-cycle units, and noted ongoing and proposed projects totaling additional capacity if approved by the Public Service Commission.

Transcript Highlights:

• . $3.9 million in FY 26 and $3.6 million in FY 27 for workforce readiness programs. $4 million annually
• <00:52:47.079> Readiness FY 27 for Workforce Readiness FY 27 for Workforce Readiness programs
• This budget prioritizes investments in a labor force and workforce to modernize operations and expand
• This budget prioritizes investments in a labor force and workforce to modernize operations and expand
• so with all to our federal Workforce so with all that<01:14:54.480> being<01:14:54.679> said

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and that's largely driven by Workforce and that's largely driven by Workforce the<00:43:07.000><
• It also incentivizes our current workforce to stay with us through the winter.
• It also incentivizes our current workforce to stay with us through the winter.
• It also incentivizes our current workforce to stay with us through the winter.
• It also incentivizes our current workforce to stay with us through the winter.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Public Works and Highways Committee held an orientation meeting focused on introducing members, outlining committee norms, and hearing an overview from the Department of Transportation. Chair David Mills emphasized the committee’s long-standing bipartisan working style, asked members to share contact information for short-notice scheduling, and noted that the committee would need to complete as much work as possible before the building is vacated later in the year. Members introduced themselves and described backgrounds in engineering, construction, planning, local government, military service, education, and business. Several members highlighted prior service on planning boards, school boards, zoning boards, or in transportation-related fields as relevant to the committee’s work. Members repeatedly described the committee as collegial and nonpartisan, with most bills going to the consent calendar. The chair also noted that the committee’s work centers on state infrastructure, including roads, bridges, highways, and buildings. Representative Cluder, the ranking member, and others echoed that the committee is effective because it talks issues through and resolves disagreements collaboratively. One member mentioned a recent trip that reinforced the importance of infrastructure resilience after storms and rebuilding efforts in other states. Department of Transportation officials, led by Assistant Commissioner and Chief Engineer David Rodrig, gave a detailed organizational and operational overview. They described DOT’s structure, mission of “transportation excellence,” and major responsibilities across highways, bridges, rail, transit, aeronautics, maintenance, and administration. Rodrig reported 1,651 permanent positions and 404 vacancies, 2,160 state bridges with 115 on the Red List, 4,600 centerline miles of roadway, 25 public airports, 11 transit systems, and 194 active state-owned rail lines. He also outlined FY 2024 spending, project development activity, highway maintenance operations, fleet and fuel systems, and the distinction between the highway fund and DOT’s budget, including the role of federal funds and the turnpike enterprise fund. No votes were taken and no bills were acted on during this orientation meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we know how to do this when it comes to integrating workforce development solutions into new tech.
• So some of the workforce pieces that tie to ag we want to do the same thing with.
• Industry certifications allow for the workforce that we need, because they don't exist at the levels
• This is a workforce development piece, and this makes sense when it comes to workforce development.
• This is a workforce development piece, and this makes sense when it comes to workforce development.

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its October 27 meeting and then heard testimony on the economic and practical effects of Arkansas’s raw milk law, Act 698. Clinton Ballard of Milk and Honey Hill Farm said the law allowed his family farm to expand from 8 to 12 cows, serve about 150 families, add retail sales of raw cheese, and increase annual sales by roughly $50,000. He argued that raw milk production supports small farms, improves food security by keeping milk production in-state, and should be paired with optional state inspection and certification so producers could access USDA grants and other value-added opportunities. Committee members asked about herd management, safety practices, labeling, consumer education, and whether a voluntary inspection system could be created without leading to more regulation. Ballard said his farm follows sanitary practices, chills milk quickly, uses educational materials for customers, and has not had any reported illnesses among customers. Members also discussed broader concerns about raw milk safety, including E. coli, sick animals, and whether state agencies should provide more guidance or training. Several lawmakers expressed support for consumer choice and for small producers, while others emphasized the need for clear standards and accountability. The discussion also touched on the decline of commercial dairies in Arkansas, the role of the health department, and whether state certification would be limited to in-state sales. The committee then heard a lengthy presentation from Terence Bolden of TLB Enterprises on hydroponic and container-based agriculture as a response to food insecurity and workforce needs. Bolden described retrofitted shipping containers that can grow produce year-round with low water use, and said the model could be paired with career and technical education, drones, robotics, and agribusiness training in schools and communities. He said pilot projects are underway or planned with the Little Rock School District, Southwest High School, UAPB, and other partners, and estimated that five regional hubs could have significant economic impact while creating jobs and reducing food deserts. Members asked about target communities, costs, energy needs, crop types, and how the model would work in rural areas; Bolden said the approach is a public-private partnership intended to support local farmers, schools, and community food access. No votes were taken on Bolden’s proposal, and the meeting adjourned after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• based on their zip code and allows SELPAs to address structural changes such as transportation, workforce
• based on their zip code and allows SELPAs to address structural changes such as transportation, workforce
• and school counselors, with residency program participants having higher program completion and workforce
• continue to benefit from proven pathways that support educational equity in California's future workforce
• continue to benefit from proven pathways that support educational equity in California's future workforce

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals across seven education-related items and received testimony from the Department of Finance, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the Department of Education, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, and the Office of Public School Construction. On dual enrollment, the administration proposed $100 million one-time Proposition 98 funding plus policy changes to expand access, including eligibility for regional occupational centers, added support for justice-involved youth, priority for higher-need LEAs, teacher professional development, and a reduction in required daily instructional minutes for some dual enrollment students. The LAO recommended rejecting the funding as not clearly tied to implementation barriers, while CDE supported the proposal but suggested reserving $10 million for technical assistance. Several public commenters and members supported the investment and urged inclusion of technical assistance and adult dual enrollment. For the reading difficulty screener proposal, the Governor proposed $40 million one-time funding and statutory changes requiring kindergarten screeners after 91 school days and grades 1-2 screeners after 46 school days, with the stated goal of reducing over-identification and allowing time for foundational instruction. The LAO recommended rejecting the funding, saying costs were likely overstated and that LEAs could use discretionary block grant funds instead. CDE supported the funding but the timing restrictions drew significant concern from the chair and public witnesses, who argued the deadlines were too prescriptive and could delay early intervention; advocates and literacy organizations urged preserving local flexibility and screening earlier. CDE and Finance defended the timing as based on data and consistent with other states, while also emphasizing that early instruction and support could still begin on day one. On special education, Finance described a proposal to increase the base rate to $99 per ADA through a $509 million ongoing Proposition 98 augmentation, along with COLA and enrollment adjustments. The LAO said the proposal should be adopted but estimated it could be achieved with less funding; CDE strongly supported the increase, citing rising enrollment, cost pressures, and inequities across SELPAs. Public testimony from districts and SELPAs echoed the need for more funding and asked for even higher per-ADA support. The committee also heard a school facilities update showing Proposition 2 bond balances and demand levels, with OPSC noting funds are being used for new construction, modernization, small district set-asides, lead remediation, and natural disaster assistance. For the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, members heard that the student teacher stipend program’s grants management system is complete and that the Commission is seeking to track participation and outcomes; the Governor also proposed additional state operations funding to address misconduct workload, implement SB 848-related data systems, and administer the stipend program. Finally, the Governor proposed $250 million one-time funding to continue teacher and school counselor residency grants through 2029-30, which the LAO said could help fill shortages but may be harder for rural LEAs; CTC supported the program and said regional technical assistance hubs are helping expand access. No formal votes were taken, and the hearing adjourned after public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• and school counselors, with residency program participants having higher program completion and workforce
• and school counselors, with residency program participants having higher program completion and workforce
• To further the impact that these residencies are having on California's educator workforce, the Governor's
• continue to benefit from proven pathways that support educational equity in California's future workforce
• former public school teacher and in strong support of the initiatives to strengthen the educator workforce

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals on dual enrollment, reading difficulty screeners, special education, school facilities, and Commission on Teacher Credentialing programs. On dual enrollment, the Department of Finance described a $100 million one-time Proposition 98 investment to expand the Dual Enrollment Opportunities Grant Program, along with changes to make regional occupational centers eligible, add funding for justice-involved youth, prioritize higher-need LEAs, support teacher professional development, and reduce daily instructional minute requirements for some dual enrollment students. The LAO recommended rejecting the new funding as not clearly addressing implementation barriers, while CDE supported the proposal and suggested reserving $10 million for technical assistance. Committee members and public commenters generally supported the expansion, with some asking for technical assistance and broader access, including adult dual enrollment. The committee also reviewed a $40 million one-time Proposition 98 proposal for reading difficulty screener implementation and related trailer bill language that would require screening after 91 school days for kindergarten and 46 school days for grades 1-2. Finance said the timing was intended to reduce over-identification and align with evidence from preliminary data; the LAO recommended rejecting the funding and redirecting it to a discretionary block grant. CDE supported the funding and the general approach but acknowledged the need for local support and training. Several committee members and public witnesses raised concerns that the proposed timing restrictions were too rigid and could delay early intervention, while others supported the delay as a way to improve accuracy and avoid misidentification. For special education, Finance proposed ongoing Proposition 98 increases to adjust for COLA and enrollment changes and to raise the statewide special education base rate to $99 per ADA, equalizing rates across SELPAs. The LAO said the proposal should be adopted but estimated it could be funded for less than the Governor’s figure. CDE and multiple local education representatives strongly supported the increase, citing rising special education enrollment, cost pressures, and large local funding gaps. The committee also heard a brief overview of the school facilities proposal, which continues $1.5 billion in Proposition 2 bond funding for the School Facility Program; OPSC reported significant remaining bond authority but also substantial pending demand, and explained that natural disaster school rebuilding draws from the broader new construction and modernization pools. Finally, the committee reviewed Commission on Teacher Credentialing proposals, including the already-funded $300 million Student Teacher Stipend Program, new state operations resources for misconduct investigations and grant administration, and a $250 million one-time continuation of the Teacher Residency Grant Program. CTC said its grants management system is ready and that it expects better data tracking; public testimony broadly supported the educator workforce investments and urged continued funding for the Golden State Teacher Grant Program and additional support for rural and leadership pipeline programs. No votes were taken, and the hearing adjourned after public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• The consequences are well documented: lower workforce participation, lower lifetime earnings, and an
• Arkansas workforce challenges require a range of adult education options.
• It is rewriting family trajectories and strengthening Arkansas's workforce in the process.
• So how does this compare to other workforce programs?
• So our goal is employment and entry into the workforce.

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The House and Senate Education Committee first approved minutes from February 2 and 3, then heard an interim study proposal on Arkansas adult education, presented by Goodwill Industries of Arkansas and the Excel Center network. Witnesses described the state’s adult diploma gap, arguing that roughly 300,000 Arkansans over age 19 lack a high school diploma or GED and that the Excel Center provides a supported, diploma-based alternative with child care, transportation help, tutoring, and career services. Goodwill officials said the Arkansas campuses are the state’s only public adult charter high schools, are not state-funded, and have produced strong enrollment growth and graduation outcomes. A University of Notre Dame researcher testified that a study of Excel Center graduates found higher employment and earnings, more credential and college-credit attainment, and lower criminal justice involvement, with a high estimated return on public investment. Some members questioned the framing of Arkansas’s adult education challenges and whether the state was being portrayed too negatively, while others asked about wraparound services and the role of nonprofit providers. The committee ultimately adopted the interim study proposal, though there was some procedural confusion and debate about whether questions should have come before the vote. The committee then received a detailed Bureau of Legislative Research presentation on Arkansas K-12 education funding as part of the adequacy study. Staff reviewed national funding principles and Arkansas’s funding structure, including state, local, and other revenues; the Public School Fund; Department of Education operations; and the Facilities Partnership Program. They explained that 2025 K-12 state and local revenues totaled about $6.6 billion, with foundation funding, categorical funding, supplemental funding, and additional funding distributed to districts and charters. The presentation covered the matrix used to calculate foundation funding, the role of the uniform rate of tax, the Educational Excellence Trust Fund, the Educational Adequacy Fund, and how charter schools are funded differently from traditional districts. Staff also discussed categorical programs such as alternative learning environments, English learner funding, enhanced student achievement, and professional development, as well as supplemental categories including transportation, special education high-cost occurrences, teacher salary equalization, declining enrollment, and student growth. Members asked numerous questions about the funding formulas, the meaning of specific staffing categories, how categorical funds are used, and the number of districts receiving teacher salary equalization or ALE funding. One member noted that the Excel Center’s funding appeared in the broader state-local totals and asked for clarification. Staff said some of the more detailed spending questions would be addressed in the next day’s presentation and offered to provide follow-up information, including district lists and historical changes. The meeting ended after the chair noted that the department was present mainly to answer questions, not to deliver a separate update, and no further business was taken up before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• That’s up from just three years ago when it was a quarter of our workforce.
• That's almost an entire Arizona teacher workforce.
• So what happened is they began to, again, ...on a teacher workforce.
• Now 10% of the teacher workforce in Texas is uncertified, and 23% of current Texas teachers are prepared
• Well, Act, they say Arizona, now as a state, gets to determine who gets workforce Pell.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Education Committee began with a lengthy presentation from Dr. Victoria Dyson Homer on the Arizona Teacher Residency Program. She argued that Arizona faces a teacher shortage and high attrition, with many teachers uncertified or leaving early, and said research shows high-quality, practice-based residencies improve retention, teacher confidence, and student outcomes. She compared Arizona with Texas, described Arizona Teacher Residency’s structure as a year-long apprenticeship paired with coursework and mentorship, and said the program’s early data show strong retention and positive student feedback. Committee members asked about how the residency differs from traditional student teaching, its master’s-degree structure, and whether it should influence broader teacher-preparation and salary policies. The committee then heard and debated SCR 1006, a ballot referral dealing with school restroom and pronoun policies. The measure would require schools to provide reasonable accommodations for students unwilling or unable to use sex-designated multi-occupancy restrooms or sleeping quarters, and would bar school employees from using pronouns or names inconsistent with a student’s biological sex without written parental permission. The sponsor framed it as a parental-rights and student-safety measure, while opponents from education, civil liberties, and mental health backgrounds called it discriminatory, unnecessary, and harmful to transgender and non-binary students. After public testimony and member debate, the committee approved SCR 1006 on a 7-5 vote. The committee also considered SB 1126, which would require schools to provide certain student records and related information to Department of Child Safety caseworkers during abuse or neglect investigations and would prohibit schools from blocking staff from speaking directly with DCS. DCS testified neutrally, saying the bill could help resolve delays and improve information sharing, while members raised FERPA and guardianship concerns. The bill passed 10-0 with two members present. Finally, the committee took up SB 1210, which requires certain out-of-state private postsecondary institutions offering fully online programs to Arizona residents to register with the state’s private postsecondary regulator and comply with tuition recovery fund requirements unless covered by reciprocity. Supporters said the bill closes a regulatory loophole and protects students financially; it passed 11-1. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• other sources of funding to make sure that we do not have to lay off people, that we retain our workforce
• All of these federal funding uncertainties have a big impact on our workforce pipelines, not only because
• This has a big impact on the workforce pipeline. However, this is not where it ends.
• We also have workforce development programs at our smaller community colleges.
• What is the workforce situation? What is the supply chain situation?

Transcript Highlights:

• And especially when you have things like JTIP, through workforce development and economic development
• They created an ML workforce charging billions of dollars.
• So I will have my engineer understand your detritus from your workforce, then we will take over."
• So what that really means is, this is where the disruption of workforce happens.
• So we've intentionally constricted our workforce, and we invested in our workforce.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a place for employees with autism in the workforce in productive jobs, but a major stumbling
• have acquired specific job skills and behaviors that meet employer needs, importantly including workforce
• and teachers who are interested in teaching them with the view towards obtaining these important workforce
• She said she believes the bill is inclusive because children should be prepared for the workforce when
• She said academic training for being an ESE teacher is different from workforce training.

Summary: The committee heard and approved several bills. CS for CS for CS SB 138, Trenton’s Law, would broaden DUI and boating-under-the-influence laws to cover any impairing substance, increase penalties for refusal to submit to breath or urine testing, allow blood warrants in misdemeanor DUI/BUI cases, enhance penalties for DUI with death or vehicular homicide involving prior convictions, and authorize DUI diversion programs. Supporters included law enforcement and prosecutors, who said the bill addresses gaps involving over-the-counter drugs and refusal cases; the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers raised concerns about the breadth of the “any impairing substance” language and record consequences for first refusals. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably SB 400, which removes the repeal date from Florida’s Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children, and CS for SB 102, which creates a workforce credentialing program for exceptional student education students, especially those with autism, to earn badges for job skills and safety-related competencies. SB 102 drew questions about fiscal impact and teacher training, with supporters emphasizing workforce readiness and parent involvement while some members raised concerns about costs and implementation. SB 130, which updates compensation for wrongfully incarcerated people found factually innocent, was also reported favorably after supporters argued Florida’s current law is too restrictive and too few exonerees have been compensated. The committee then approved CS for CS for SB 296, which repeals the statewide mandate for later middle and high school start times and returns the decision to local districts, while requiring districts to document their analysis of sleep, safety, transportation, and other impacts. An amendment added a reporting requirement to show how districts considered later start times and any unintended consequences. The bill drew broad support from school officials and education groups, with members noting transportation and extracurricular challenges. Finally, SB 234, dealing with criminal offenses against law enforcement officers, was reported favorably after debate over whether the bill should retain “good faith” language and how it would affect defenses and officer accountability. The committee also passed CS for SB 274, designating a portion of International Drive as Harris Rosen Way and adding a memorial designation for the late Senator Geraldine Thompson near the Wells Built Museum; members praised both honorees and the bill was reported favorably. The committee adjourned after recording one member’s request to be shown voting yes on the first bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm opposed to any changes to the Healthy Workforce Act, HB 415.
• Please leave the Healthy Workforce Act as it is. Workforce Act as it is, do not make changes.
• There is still a workforce shortage that is due to many factors such as low pay and high requirements
• In working, if you looked at the FIR, Secretary Nayyar from the Department of Workforce Solutions did
• That employee would be allowed to take that policy, turn it into the Department of Workforce Solutions

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the motion is to re-refer to the Labor and Workforce Development Committee.
• <00:09:34.079> committee<00:09:34.399> wanted they in the workforce committee wanted
• they in the workforce committee wanted to<00:09:34.839> address<00:09:35.200> was<00:09
• The bill is on to the Workforce Development Committee. Members, that concludes today's agenda.
• NOS the bill is on to the Workforce NOS the bill is on to the Workforce Development Development

Keywords: 1183, house