Transcript Highlights:

• and look at further than our TV screens and look at what's<00:25:05.279><c> happening</c><00:25:05.720
• </c><00:34:04.480><c> for</c><00:34:05.399><c> um</c><00:34:06.320><c> Community</c> risk assessments
• for um Community risk assessments for um Community notification<00:34:07.840><c> and</c><00:34:08.440
• What we want to do now is really make sure we're targeting our treatment to their assessed need.
• need and so we have their assessed need and so we have people<01:02:59.119><c> now</c><01:02:59.440>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If I am accurate and correct in that assessment, do you think that it's discriminatory for your bill
• Do you agree with their assessment that they would not be able to have cultural diversity training?
• I also have that 5-year-old, and I know what a screen has done to my 5-year-old versus what a screen
• Not only was it not on the application form or on my screen, I didn't ask them.
• And I know that can be a subjective assessment.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and memorial remarks, including a moment of silence for service members killed in the conflict in Iran. The chamber then moved to special orders and took up a series of bills, with many measures passing unanimously after brief explanations and, in several cases, substitution of House companions. Early bills included CS/CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate education, which drew extensive supportive debate about the civic value of debate programs and passed 37-0, and SB 1072 on an anti-Semitism task force, which was amended to clarify that criticism of Israel is not prohibited and then passed 37-0. The Senate also approved CS/CS/SB 1230/HB 1019 on PFAS chemicals and firefighting foam, with discussion focused on phasing out AFFF, testing requirements, exceptions for federal aviation and military uses, and support for firefighters and water quality; the bill passed 37-0. Other measures passed without opposition included SB 1706 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, SB 186 on student health and safety and seizure response training, SB 598 on funeral and cemetery services, SB 990/HB 883 on protected cell captive insurance companies, SB 554 on nonprofit corporations, SB 560 on child welfare and foster care medication procedures, SB 684/HB 961 on electronic signatures for salvage titles, and SB 778/HB 569 on forensic client services. Two bills, SB 432 on intoxicating substances and SB 928 on dangerous crimes, were temporarily postponed. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to SB 1134 on official actions of local governments and DEI-related activities. The sponsor argued the bill would prevent counties and municipalities from funding or promoting DEI efforts he described as discriminatory or indoctrinating, while opponents offered amendments to narrow the bill to spending only, add an intent requirement for penalties, and preserve local proclamations and observances. Those amendments were debated at length but were not adopted. The sponsor then continued explaining the bill’s exceptions, including references to holidays, heritage sites, and the Pulse Memorial, and the chamber was still in debate on the underlying measure when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Simply put, this report or this assessment connects data to action.
• statewide needs assessment.
• We assess their independent living skills. We assess their independent living skills.
• Most assessments are conducted on-site and in person.
• We conduct an independent assessment.

Keywords: 977, all

Summary: The committee met to receive a detailed financial operations presentation from the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency, with staff walking members through funding sources, budgeting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and grants management. Sabrina Walker explained VR’s blended funding structure, including federal grants, state appropriations, program income, and interagency contracts, and emphasized that state funds are essential to meeting the federal match and maintenance-of-effort requirements. Members asked repeatedly about transparency, audit controls, and the risk that state cuts could reduce federal drawdowns; staff responded that all reports reconcile back to the SCEIS accounting system, are subject to state audits and internal reviews, and that even modest state reductions could significantly reduce total available funding. The committee also discussed pre-employment transition services for students with disabilities, with staff confirming services are offered through school districts, charters, and private schools, and that contracts are monitored for performance and compliance. The presentation then shifted to budgeting and internal controls. Walker described a zero-based departmental budgeting process, monthly monitoring reports, contingency reserves for unexpected expenses, and a formal annual cycle that culminates in board approval. Members asked about facilities tracking, culture, and how the agency maintains accountability; staff said facilities staff inspect buildings and equipment, supervisors justify line-item requests, and the process has become smoother over time as departments learned the system. Cynthia Johnson followed with an accounts receivable overview, describing invoicing, receipting, aging, customer verification, year-end reporting, and the use of cross-training, shared email inboxes, and spreadsheets as checks and balances. She also explained work training center billing, interdepartmental transfers, and the revolving fund used to issue consumer checks more quickly than standard vendor payments. Olivia Perez presented accounts payable operations, including invoice processing through SCEIS and OnBase, the three-way match, travel reimbursements, revolving fund checks, State Treasury Office interactions, and handling of reversals, rejections, and levy notices. She reported that AP processed 67,723 SCEIS payments, 13,670 case management system invoices, 3,379 travel reimbursements, and 15,693 revolving fund checks in fiscal year 2025, with only 70 payment rejections. The final portion of the meeting covered Grants and Funds Management, where Walker explained federal reporting, drawdowns, payroll allocation, asset tracking, lease and IT contract reviews, cost allocation, and closing packages. She noted upcoming system changes such as S/4HANA, Workiva, and SC Pro, but said the agency is receiving training and feedback opportunities. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the presentation portion beyond approval of the prior minutes and a brief recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can see their logos there on our screen representing education institutions, systems, state...
• 00:08:38.159><c> our</c> You can see their logos there on our You can see their logos there on our screen
• <00:08:39.120><c> representing</c><00:08:39.680><c> education</c> screen representing education screen
• Chair Fateh, would you mind just acknowledging that you can see my screen?
• Uh yes, and that you can see my screen?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And from those calls, a risk and safety assessment is applied, which helps to determine the intervention
• For the initial assessment, after we get a report or it's an intake, it's assigned to a social worker
• </c><00:04:48.880><c> is</c> calls, a risk and safety assessment is calls, a risk and safety assessment
• </c><01:16:26.320><c> Um</c> in person for that annual assessment.
• Um in person for that annual assessment.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• will be using within the partnership entities to identify training needs; plan for monitoring and assessing
• </c><00:10:22.920><c> um</c> for monitoring and assessing um for monitoring and assessing um violations
• </c><00:21:22.360><c> the</c> the metrics in place for assessing the the metrics in place for assessing
• The budget breakdown is illustrated on the left of the screen, highlighting that the majority of our
• such as uh Screen Actors Guild uh<01:37:48.840><c> UAW</c><01:37:49.560><c> Teamsters</c><01:37:50.119

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Just a reminder, there's a timer on the screen, and please stay within one minute. Good morning.
• comprised of community-based members who live in those communities, speak the language, and are able to assess
• Again, one minute, and there should be a timer on your screen. Go ahead, Allie.
• Chesney Hatch was called to testify on Zoom, with a reminder that the countdown timer should be on screen

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• IF YOU FOLLOW AROUND THE CIRCLE ON THE SCREEN YOU WILL SEE WE LICENSE COMPANIES, WE BRING THEM INTO THE
• PROJECTIONS BUT WE ASK WE CERTAINLY REVIEW THEM AS PART OF THE RATE FILINGS THAT ARE APPROVED AND ON THE SCREEN
• BARTLEMAN WAS SAYING AS YOU HAVE ON THE SCREEN 97% OF THE MARKET ENROLLEES ARE SUBSIDIZED MEANING ANY
• BE HAPPY TO CONSIDER ANY POLICIES THE LEGISLATURE HAS AND PROVIDE THOROUGH AND QUICK REVIEW AND ASSESSMENT

Transcript Highlights:

• vaccines and when we looked up the data on this bill, we found that, uh, testing and early, early screening
• There is no early screening.
• So, we also have the Global Laboratory Energy Assessment Management and Manufacturing, that's a research
• Hold on my screen window.

Transcript Highlights:

• The National Assessment of Educational Progress, which serves as our nation's report card, released on
• The National Assessment of Educational Progress, which serves as our nation's report card, released on
• The National Assessment of Educational Progress, which serves as our nation's report card, released on
• She oversees the hearing and eyesight screenings of all our scholars, and she keeps abreast of state
• She oversees the hearing and eyesight screenings of all our scholars, and she keeps abreast of state

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• appreciation to the filmmakers, producers, and contributors of Built on Zydeco on the occasion of a private screening
• It lies over. and contributors of Built on Zydeco on the occasion of a private screening of the documentary
• just clarifies exactly that the Agriculture and Forestry Advisory Hearing, and the commissioner may assess

Bills: SR146, SCR12, HB378, HB509, HB1090, HB221, HCR85, HCR100, HCR105, HCR107, HCR114, HCR58, HB723, SB4, SB52, SB57, SB83, SB131, SB143, SB145, SB152, SB194, SB251, SB254, SB279, SB283, SB333, SB353, SB367, SB384, SB389, SB398, SB408, SB431, SB448, SB450, SB465, SB468, SB469, SB484, SB495, SB496, SB509, SB56, SCR9, SCR58, SB35, SB65, SB215, SB246, SB249, SB269, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB490, SB492, SB500, SB514, HCR32, HB59, HB89, HB153, HB243, HB335, HB342, HB407, HB451, HB513, HB595, HB682, HB688, HB690, HB730, HB762, HB802, HB816, HB940, HB1003, HB1011, HB1029, HB1053, HB1058, HB1062, HB1064, HB1079, HB1084, HB1098, HB1161, HB1189, HB1203, HB1215, HB1247, HB1248, HB1251, HB1253, HB1257, HB1258, HB17, HB27, HB36, HB41, HB73, HB140, HB166, HB181, HB205, HB211, HB223, HB226, HB259, HB271, HB308, HB337, HB399, HB410, HB487, HB626, HB712, HB740, HB750, HB759, HB775, HB812, HB844, HB906, HB966, HB968, HB979, HB1006, HB1009, HB1018, HB1036, HB1038, HB1081, HB1086, HB1107, HB1112, HB1155, HB1220, HB1242, HB1252, HB1256, SB42, SB208, SB217, SB274, SB300, SB341, SB379, SB382, SB387, SB401, SB449, SB487, HB74, HB119, HB134, HB210, HB258, HB468, HB784, HB870, HB953, HB956, HB1117, HB1236, SB29, SB43, SB78, SB149, SB441, HB359

Keywords: SR146, Senate Resolution 146, Louis Thomas Nelson, Thomas Nelson, condolences, memorial resolution, tribute, obituary, public service, St. Martinville, Cade, St. Martin Parish, police juror, mayor, community center, water system, school bus driver, school board, Louisiana Senate, sympathy

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard a guest prayer by Pastor Lee Shipp, and conducted routine opening business including journal adoption, receipt of confirmation appointments, and House messages naming conferees on several Senate bill disagreements. The chamber also adopted or recognized several personal privilege resolutions and commendations, including honors for Grady Hazel, the Acadiana Veterans Hockey of Louisiana national championship team, Grambling State University’s 125th anniversary and related athletics/band centennials, the 2026 Governor’s Fellows, and a brief address by special guest Ms. Benson. Members then acted on a series of resolutions and concurrent resolutions. The Senate adopted measures creating or requesting study task forces on child permanency, medical malpractice review panels, driving school fees, the Minimum Foundation Program, and earthquake activity in north Louisiana, and it concurred in House resolutions on illegal dumping, gaming board review, behavioral health crisis center reimbursement, Medicaid incentive payment reporting, and a physician review panel study. Several condolence and commendation resolutions also passed, including those honoring Lewis Thomas Nelson and Josephine Ruth Kennedy, and the Senate adopted a resolution urging local governments to consider generator requirements for unlicensed senior and disability residential facilities. The chamber also took up House Bill 723, a motorcycle traffic-signal bill allowing certain two- and three-wheeled vehicles to proceed through malfunctioning vehicle-actuated signals under specified circumstances; after debate about safety and enforcement, it passed 33-3. The Senate then considered numerous House amendments to Senate bills, concurring in most, including bills on fluoridation/local opt-out, public assistance, nutrition, human trafficking training, bulletproof vests, adult residential care generators, cell-cultured food products, public benefits eligibility, attorney-fee limits in disciplinary proceedings, critical infrastructure protections, debit card surcharges, bank stock certificates, child welfare proceedings, digital student IDs, watershed restoration funding, innovation hubs, sports agent registration, and manufactured housing regulation. It rejected House amendments to SB 283 and SB 408 for further negotiation. The session ended with announcements for committee meetings and a recess until 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• appreciation to the filmmakers, producers, and contributors of Built on Zydeco on the occasion of a private screening
• It lies over. and contributors of Built on Zydeco on the occasion of a private screening of the documentary
• just clarifies exactly that the Agriculture and Forestry Advisory Hearing, and the commissioner may assess

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So just a little bit about the assessment on our producers.
• And then just a few highlights over on the other side of the screen.
• So you can see of the, you know, 10 to 12 billion invested over the screen.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate Agricultural Committee approved minutes from February 26 and March 3, 2026, then heard three House bills. House Bill 630, on airborne control of predatory animals, would move permit-related language from administrative rule into statute without changing policy; the sponsor said permits are free, limited to private property, and used for livestock, wildlife, or domestic animal protection rather than sport hunting. House Bill 631, on certificates of free sale, would likewise move existing rule language into statute and cap the certificate fee at $100. With no opposing testimony on either bill, the committee voted to send both to the floor with due pass recommendations. The committee then heard House Bill 826 on the Idaho Honey Commission. The sponsor said the bill shifts regulatory authority from the commission to the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, codifies current practice under an existing memorandum of understanding, and cleans up code related to penalties and rules. Testimony from the Idaho Honey Industry Association supported the bill, emphasizing the importance of the honey industry, the commission’s self-funded structure, and that hobbyist beekeepers are not affected. Committee questions focused on the hobbyist threshold, pesticide-related bee registration, and the penalty provisions; the sponsor and ISDA staff explained that hobbyists are defined elsewhere in code, bee location registration is handled under a different program, and the misdemeanor penalty is being removed while the $10,000 penalty remains. The committee voted to send HB 826 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. After the bill votes, Dairy West gave a presentation on its regional dairy promotion and research work across Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Utah. Speakers described producer-funded assessments, governance, marketing and nutrition programs, school and sports outreach, export markets, and financial oversight. Committee questions covered export destinations, export products, and workforce issues; Dairy West said Mexico and Southeast Asia are key markets, exports are mainly powders, cheese, butter, and whey products, and immigrant labor is critical to dairy operations. The committee adjourned after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• funds for fiscal year 2027 to the Department of Juvenile Corrections on behalf of the Idaho Safety Assessment
• So the budgeted programs are the four blocks on this screen: administration, occupational licenses, building
• Looking at the screen that's in front of everybody right now, you have the request for the desktops,

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and first heard the Joint Millennium Fund Committee’s report. The co-chairs recommended one-time or ongoing funding for several programs: $692,200 for the Idaho Children’s Trust Fund, $1 million for juvenile safety assessment centers, $3 million for child advocacy centers, $150,000 ongoing for the Upper River Youth Leadership Council Recovery Center, $5 million for a statewide drug awareness media campaign, and $25 million one-time for Medicaid claim payments in fiscal year 2027. Members asked about the Medicaid recommendation, noting prior language against using Millennium Fund dollars to offset Medicaid; the co-chairs said the current recommendation was tied to the governor’s request and intended as one-time funding, with any unused money returned to the fund. The report was accepted by unanimous consent. The committee then reviewed the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses budget. Legislative staff outlined the division’s structure, growth, fund balances, and fee-setting framework, including the requirement to keep board balances within a range tied to a five-year rolling average of expenditures. Administrator Russ Barron said the division has reduced costs, consolidated boards, and used fee increases, fee reductions, and fee holidays to bring boards into range; he also said the division had improved retention after inspector pay increases. Members questioned rising personnel costs, the use of opioid settlement funds for DEA license reimbursements, the request to remove a 10% transfer limitation, and whether cash balances should be redistributed among boards. Barron said the transfer exemption was largely a holdover and that cross-subsidizing boards would be possible but unpopular. He also explained that complaints drive enforcement, that a universal discipline bill could improve consistency, and that vehicle replacements were still needed because the fleet is aging despite possible future legislation. Finally, the committee heard the State Lottery budget. Staff reported that the lottery continues to generate dividends for schools and public buildings, with most expenditures tied to prizes and commissions. Director Andrew Arulenandum said the lottery has reduced management layers, renegotiated major contracts, and expects significant savings beginning in fiscal year 2027. Members asked about the role of lottery detectives, advertising spending, and the need for MacBooks and iMacs; the director said detectives investigate theft and other crimes involving lottery inventory, advertising effectiveness depends heavily on jackpot size, and the Apple equipment is needed for in-house design and artwork. The meeting ended with adjournment and a reminder about upcoming budget-setting work groups and future hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• funds for fiscal year 2027 to the Department of Juvenile Corrections on behalf of the Idaho Safety Assessment
• So the budgeted programs are the four blocks on this screen: administration, occupational licenses, building
• Looking at the screen that's in front of everybody right now, you have the request for the desktops,

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first heard a report from the Joint Millennium Fund co-chairs on recommended uses of Millennium Fund dollars. The recommendations included one-time funding for juvenile safety assessment centers and child advocacy centers, ongoing funding for the Upper River Youth Leadership Council Recovery Center, $5 million for a statewide drug awareness media campaign, and $25 million one-time for Medicaid claim payments to reduce the general fund impact in fiscal year 2027. Members asked about the Medicaid recommendation because the fund had previously been directed away from Medicaid; the co-chairs said the request was made in light of a revenue downturn and was intended as one-time funding, with any unused balance returned. The report was accepted by unanimous consent. The committee then reviewed the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses. Legislative staff summarized the division’s consolidation of licensing boards, staffing, fee-balance management requirements, and the governor’s and committee’s budget recommendations, including vehicle replacement and IT hardware requests. Administrator Russ Barron said the division has reduced overall expenditures since consolidation, improved licensing and inspection timeliness, and used fee changes, fee holidays, and board mergers to keep board balances within the target range. Members questioned rising personnel costs, the use of opioid settlement funds for prescriber DEA fees, the continued need for a 10% transfer exemption, vehicle replacement timing, and how complaints and discipline are handled; Barron said complaints drive investigations, boards set fees subject to legislative approval, and a universal discipline bill could improve consistency. Finally, the committee heard the state lottery budget. Staff described lottery revenues, prize payouts, dividend distributions to schools and state buildings, and a small one-time request for replacement computers. Director Andrew Arulenandum said the lottery has reduced management layers, renegotiated major contracts for significant future savings, and is trying to improve performance without relying heavily on paid advertising. Members asked about the role of lottery detectives, the return on advertising spending, and the need for MacBooks and iMacs; he said detectives investigate theft and other lottery-related crimes, advertising results are hard to isolate from jackpot size, and the Apple equipment is needed for in-house design work. The committee concluded its business and adjourned, with a reminder about upcoming budget-setting work sessions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We must assess interagency coordination as it relates to finding appropriate care settings for high acuity
• enforcement and federal child welfare performance standards, licensing requirements, background screenings
• DCF investigators are trained to screen for trafficking indicators such as abuse, Rep.

Transcript Highlights:

• This state has made deep investments in dyslexia screening, has made deep investments in professional
• We want to deepen the focus on the sex year screening, deepen the focus on professional development.
• However, we note that the proposed 20% increase isn't tied to any particular assessment of costs.
• However, we note that the proposed 20% increase isn't tied to any particular assessment of costs.
• We go in, we look at the district, and then we basically do an assessment.

Summary: The subcommittee opened with remarks on the state budget and K-12 education, noting the large increase in the Proposition 98 minimum guarantee, the use of deferrals and reserves in the prior budget, and the challenge of balancing education funding against other state priorities. Superintendent Tony Thurmond described California education as improving overall, citing gains in test scores, graduation, and college readiness, but said major gaps remain for low-income students, students of color, agricultural communities, English learners, foster youth, and students with disabilities. He praised recent investments in universal meals, transitional kindergarten, community schools, arts, broadband, and special education, while warning that declining enrollment, chronic absenteeism, and the proposed $5.6 billion Prop. 98 settle-up create uncertainty for districts. He also urged a long-term literacy plan, expanded tutoring, universal kindergarten, and continued protections for students and families affected by immigration enforcement, including ICE-related fear and attendance loss. The committee then heard a detailed presentation on Proposition 98 from the Department of Finance and the Legislative Analyst’s Office. Finance explained that the Governor’s budget projects the minimum guarantee will rise by about $21.7 billion over three years, with a $5.6 billion settle-up obligation in 2025-26 intended to avoid overappropriation if revenues weaken. Finance also described revised reserve deposits and withdrawals, ending with about $4.1 billion in the Public School System Stabilization Account by 2026-27. The LAO said recent revenue collections were stronger than expected in the current year but warned that the outlook for 2026-27 is weaker and that stock-market-driven revenues remain volatile. The LAO supported maintaining reserves and one-time spending buffers, but recommended fully funding the guarantee and using other budget solutions rather than shifting the settle-up into future deficits. Members asked about the settle-up process, certification timeline, the effect of attendance declines tied to immigration enforcement, and wildfire-related impacts, including Pasadena Unified’s $4 million special appropriation. On LCFF and necessary small schools, Finance proposed a 2.41% COLA and about $2.2 billion in additional LCFF funding for districts and charters in 2026-27, plus a $30.7 million ongoing increase to raise the necessary small schools allowance by 20%. The LAO supported funding the COLA but said the small-school increase was not tied to a specific cost study and could be redesigned to better target small districts, noting that only a fraction of very small districts would benefit. Questions focused on how small schools access supplemental and concentration grants and how attendance recovery programs are being implemented. The Department of Education said only 130 LEAs had reported attendance recovery so far, likely because it is a new program with compliance requirements, though interest appears to be growing. FICMAT then reviewed the fiscal health of local districts, reporting an uptick in qualified and negative certifications, though still far below Great Recession levels. It said declining enrollment, rising special education costs, and higher labor and insurance costs are the biggest fiscal pressures, and that some districts are using fiscal stabilization plans and staff reductions ahead of second interim reports. FICMAT also discussed wildfire impacts on Pasadena Unified and Los Angeles Unified, explaining that Pasadena’s $4 million state appropriation was based on an early post-fire assessment and that the district is being monitored with the county office of education. Members raised concerns about Pasadena’s leadership, special education staffing shortages, AB 218 sexual abuse litigation costs, insurance premium increases, and the need for stronger prevention and training measures. FICMAT said SB 848 and related policies address some of those concerns by strengthening standards, training, and reporting requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas addressing disparities in sleep apnea awareness, screening, and treatment is essential to
• HB 2720, prostitution, assessment, answering human trafficking fund. Judiciary and Elections.
• It requires attorneys to consult with the child's family, even parents accused of abuse, to assess the
• It requires attorneys to consult with the child's family, even parents accused of abuse, to assess the

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• certain policies; and to require the State Department of Education to develop certain standards, assessments
• Revenue and Taxation Committee, an act relating to taxation, to revise provisions regarding the assessment
• House Bill 722, to revise provisions regarding the assessment of operating property, to revise a provision
• Senators, this is a bill that deals with hearing screenings for infants, and in consulting with the midwives

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the prior journal. Committee and message reports were received, including enrollment of several bills and resolutions, gubernatorial appointments to the Idaho State Racing Commission and State Building Authority, and multiple House bills referred to standing committees. The chamber also advanced a large slate of bills through first and second reading, with several measures sent to the third-reading calendar. The Committee of the Whole considered and amended several bills. Amendments were adopted on House Bill 494 (temporary caregiver background checks), Senate Bill 1294 (hearing screening timelines for infants and midwives), Senate Bill 1299 (digital ID enforcement and police-requested deletions), House Bill 728 (definitions cleanup), House Bill 703 (restoring an individual fine provision for surveyors and engineers), Senate Bill 1335 (veterinary medicine clarification), Senate Bill 1330 (small claims court attorney fees), Senate Bill 1359 (virtual currency kiosk consumer protection), and Senate Bill 1348 (clarifying the location of a North Idaho gun club). The committee reported all of those measures back as amended without recommendation, while several other bills remained on the 14th-order calendar. A major floor action involved House Bill 745, which had been held in the Commerce and Human Resources Committee. Under Rule 14E, a motion was made to excuse the committee from reporting the bill forthwith. After extended debate over committee prerogatives and the Senate’s ability to force consideration of held bills, a roll call vote was taken. The motion to excuse the committee passed 25-1 with one abstention, meaning House Bill 745 would remain in committee for the rest of the session. The Senate then reordered the third-reading calendar, received announcements, and adjourned until 10 a.m. Monday, March 16, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• campuses to ensure safety when it comes to buildings and locking buildings, campus security, and assessing
• Campus security, when it comes to assessing threats that come into campus, and how those are assessed
• Sorry, the screen keeps going in and out, but I'm on slide 28.

Summary: The committee heard a presentation on the State University System’s new strategic plan, SUS 30, from Emily Sykes and later the system’s legislative budget request from Sarah Denagie. The strategic plan centers on five priorities: One SUS collaboration, elevating student success, operational excellence, world-class talent, and innovative research and economic development. Testimony highlighted Florida’s continued status as the nation’s top higher education system, record rankings, improved four-year graduation rates, higher median graduate wages, strong licensure pass rates, and expanded focus on research commercialization and workforce alignment. Senators asked about programs of strategic emphasis, mental health and teacher workforce needs, use of the My Florida Future wage data tool, support for first-generation and Pell students, and the role of liberal arts degrees. The system said it would provide follow-up information, including the full strategic-emphasis list and a report on campus safety best practices after a recent summit following the FSU shooting. The committee also received an update on line funding for nursing and health care partnerships. Officials said the $6 million appropriation was fully subscribed through 24 proposals from all 10 nursing programs, supporting scholarships, faculty recruitment, internships, simulation, and expanded nursing capacity. They reported more than 1,900 new nursing graduates, over 200 new student slots, more than 300 scholarships, and a 92% NCLEX pass rate. Senators asked about expanding eligibility for the program, and staff indicated that would be examined this year. For the legislative budget request, the Board of Governors asked for $634.5 million total, including $295 million to maintain the institutional performance-based funding base, $400 million for the state investment portion of performance-based funding, $125 million for preeminence funding, $100 million for faculty recruitment and retention, $6.4 million for UF/IFAS extension workload, and $3.1 million for state fire marshal inspections. The chair noted that resources are limited and that difficult budget decisions will be required. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentations and questions.