Transcript Highlights:

• I've seen it West High School. I've seen it firsthand,<00:40:07.680> Mr.
• Brody School of Medicine into the east. Brody School of Medicine into the east.
• in California public schools, young kids in California public schools, and<08:04:25.920> a<08:
• taxes will increase um on virtually taxes will increase um on virtually every<08:49:44.718> American
• I have lived my entire life virtually I have lived my entire life virtually amid<09:12:36.960>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Stephen Urban of Sussex Technical High School, Lieutenant Governor.
• Dev Manapatu of Apoena High School, President Pro Tempore.
• Connor Hahn of Cape Henlopen High School, Secretary of the Senate.
• Yamil Ortiz of Conrad School of Science, Senate Majority Whip.
• Yamil Ortiz of Conrad School of Science, Senate Majority Whip.

Summary: The Senate received communications from the House listing numerous bills, substitutes, amendments, and concurrent resolutions passed by the House or returned to the Senate, and it also noted a Senate amendment being stricken from House Bill 190. Committee reports were read on a wide range of nominations and bills, including favorable reports on several executive nominations and legislation involving nurse preceptors, voting, agricultural/forestry grants, child care, Title IX coordination, vehicle security devices, dry needling, human remains disposition, child care assistance, autism-related oversight, nursing advancement, correctional oversight, massage and bodywork, probate letters, computer security breaches, automobile insurance, medical debt protection, and technical corrections. The Senate also assigned House Bill 300, House Bill 64, and House Bill 385 to the Finance Committee. The chamber confirmed several gubernatorial nominations by roll call vote, each receiving the required majority: Heidi J. A. Gilmore to the Marijuana Appeals Commission; Lee Wynne and Ruth J. Tucker to the Delaware River and Bay Authority Board; Jennifer R. Hallman and Lindsay E. Alexich to the Professional Standards Board; Jason M. Munion and F. Todd Kulata to the Environmental Appeals Board. The Senate also passed House Substitute 1 for House Bill 383, which changes overtime eligibility for certain DelDOT employees and clarifies covered positions, and Senate Bill 315 with Senate Amendment 1, which revises the Delaware Technical Innovation Program to give the Division of Small Business more flexibility in using federal grant funds. Consent Agenda M passed unanimously, including Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 319 on menopause and perimenopause coverage, House Bill 411 on alcohol/tobacco/marijuana enforcement, House Bill 271 on marijuana establishment spacing, House Bill 258 on alcohol licenses, House Bill 303 on juvenile probation/parole officers and DCYF employees, and House Bill 377 on Ocean View municipal election deadlines. Consent Calendar 63 also passed unanimously, including resolutions recognizing Day of Service, National Adoption Month, National Coaches Day, Free Speech Week, Women’s Equality Day, and Spirit of America 250, along with resolutions encouraging a veteran cemetery in Kent County, seeking plans for repurposing underused public buildings, and honoring Delaware Boys State. The Senate spent significant time on floor remarks about the Boys State delegates and on a tribute to emergency responders who helped save a seven-year-old child trapped by a seatbelt; the responders were recognized individually and thanked for their work. Additional remarks explained the purpose of the menopause coverage bill, the adoption month resolution, the free speech resolution, and the America 250 resolution. The session ended with no further business and the Senate recessed until June 18.

Transcript Highlights:

• for therapy services at the school.
• services at the school.
• It's for armed security services in their buildings. 65, School for the Deaf and Blind with Executive
• This is for janitorial services. 65, School for the Deaf and Blind with Executive Services Spin.
• This is for janitorial services. 66, School for the Deaf and Blind with Lyndall Green.

Summary: The committee met to review a supplemental agenda item, procurement rule revisions, methods of finance, discretionary grants, contracts, reports, and a member disclosure. The supplemental agenda was accepted, and the Office of State Procurement’s rule revisions were approved after Jessica Patterson explained they were driven by 2025 legislative changes, including Act 782, CASO Consulting recommendations, and updates to sole source, bid, protest, and debarment provisions. The methods of finance and discretionary grants were also approved, covering a range of university capital projects, health and human services grants, historic preservation awards, and tobacco prevention and cessation programs. The committee then reviewed RFQs and six ratifications. The ratifications included a Workforce Connections payment to ACT WorkKeys for services provided during a contract gap, a Department of Health ratification for water-leak repairs, a large Department of Public Safety ratification for Motorola’s Arkansas Wireless Information Network upgrade, a Veterans Affairs HVAC ratification, an ADFA medical services ratification, and a UA Little Rock painting contract ratification. Members questioned the Public Safety ratification at length about why the expired Motorola contract was not caught sooner and why it took months after discovery to come forward; agency officials said the work was tied to bond funding and was not tracked in ASIS, and the chair urged agencies to develop better monitoring procedures. The committee approved a large slate of construction, intergovernmental, out-of-state, and in-state contracts, including many recurring service agreements for DHS, higher education institutions, corrections, health agencies, and state support functions. Several members asked about specific contracts, including aerial application services for correctional farms and a Southern Arkansas University custodial contract, and staff or agency representatives provided brief explanations. The meeting concluded with review of reports and approval of a member disclosure involving Representative Andrew Collins’ investment interest in a company leasing property to Arkansas Rehabilitation Services.

Transcript Highlights:

• we'll see, we're hoping we're moving towards integrated employment right now. he's a senior in high school
• Project Search is a program we've used for the last 15 years that allows students, so high school age
• Ways that we can work with schools better, etc.
• And you know, we may have to do something virtually. But as much in person as possible.
• You know, virtually or remotely as needed.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• issuance of debt for school districts. issuance of debt for school districts.
• We do have one virtual testifier.
• So, with that, let's go to the virtual testifier, then we'll go to member questions.
• Virtual testifier is Annel Velasco, St. Paul resident. >> [clears throat] Hi, yes.
• Virtual<00:22:25.920> testifier<00:22:26.560> is Virtual testifier is Virtual testifier

Bills: HF495, HF4321, HF3902, HF4161, HF3755

Keywords: day care, tax subtraction, child care costs, licensed child care, dependent care assistance, HF4321, dependent care assistance programs, gross income exclusion, federal conformity, Internal Revenue Code, individual income tax, Minnesota tax law, tax conformity, child care assistance, employer-provided dependent care, taxable income, state income tax, retroactive tax change, family care benefits, housing tax credit

Transcript Highlights:

• of schools, the schools within handful of schools, the schools within that<00:13:47.279> district
• , school, school.
• we're taking steps to partner with another instructor from another school to do the virtual part of
• So, by partnering with another school to do it virtually, then we could free up that other instructor's
• schools they'll be high school. schools they'll be high school.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

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• ,<00:09:53.680> private<00:09:54.160> schools, parochial schools, private schools,
• parochial schools, private schools, public<00:09:55.519> schools<00:09:56.720> that<00:
• that only has a public school. that only has a public school.
• Our public schools our public schools.
• Um, this should not be a public school versus private school debate.

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call: 0:03 Bills for Consideration: 3:10 Adjournment: 56:19, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Education Committee heard House Bill 1, which would have Kentucky opt into a federal education freedom tax credit program allowing donations to scholarship-granting organizations (SGOs) for K-12 educational expenses. The bill sponsors said it would not use Kentucky general funds, would be administered through the Secretary of State, and would let donors claim up to a $1,700 federal tax credit for contributions to SGOs. They argued the program could support public, private, religious, and homeschool-related educational needs, including tutoring, transportation, technology, special needs services, and other school expenses. Several senators raised concerns about whether the bill would favor larger districts with more school-choice options over rural counties with only one public school, creating a two-tier system. The sponsors responded that public school districts could also create SGOs and that the federal rules limit eligibility to families at or below 300% of area median gross income. They also said the program would not reduce existing state or federal school funding, but would instead redirect federal tax credit dollars that Kentucky donors might otherwise send to other states or back to the federal government. Members asked about the structure and oversight of SGOs, including whether they must be nonprofits, how broad their missions could be, and whether funds could be earmarked for specific purposes. The sponsors said SGOs must be certified, serve at least two schools and 10 students, spend at least 90% of receipts on scholarships, and cannot be directed to a specific student, though they can be targeted to categories such as elementary students or special needs services. They also said homeschool families would need to organize through a co-op or existing approved SGO. No vote was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• or out of the school.
• . schools.
• Charter schools.
• There are about 50,000 kids in some flavor of age. of a virtual school, but those are public virtual
• schools, like an online school.

Keywords: infrastructure, water supply, flood mitigation, Texas Water Fund, community projects, funding allocations

Summary: During this committee meeting, the focus was on discussing critical infrastructure funding, especially related to water supply and flood mitigation projects. Chairwoman Stepney and the Water Development Board presented extensive details regarding the Texas Water Fund, which included $1 billion appropriated to assist various financial programs and tackle pressing water and wastewater issues. Additionally, funding allocations aimed at compromising the state's flood risk and improving water conservation were hotly debated, emphasizing collaboration among committee members and the necessity of addressing community needs in such projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• I absolutely agree with you that whole school climate and whole school supports, and making sure schools
• Middle school, we had middle school kids there.
• a school?
• If allocation-based awards are extended to schools, Um, such as school districts, charter schools, BIE
• , the school for the blind and the school for the deaf.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:52:42.079> I'm proart program at Shaky high school I'm proart program at Shaky high school
• in my culinary room of my high school in my culinary room of my high school having<00:53:00.000>
• proart program at Oak River High School proart program at Oak River High School I'm<00:59:31.480
• <01:02:54.319> um<01:02:55.319> uh<01:02:55.480> program School um uh program School
• <01:08:35.040> too opportunity to visit shaki schools too opportunity to visit shaki schools

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think I'm aware that Commissioner Smith is going to be joining us virtually, so we'll be looking
• Commissioner at the Virginia Employment Commission, and our Commissioner, Melissa Smith, is pleased to join virtually
• We also announced yesterday that we will be—two days ago, actually—holding listening sessions virtually
• announced yesterday that we will be two days ago, actually, we'll be holding listening sessions virtually
• increasing work-based learning opportunities, increasing internships, and connecting people between the school

Summary: The Commission on Unemployment Compensation met, established a quorum, and elected Delegate Destiny LeVere Bolling as chair and Senator Mike Jones as vice chair. The commission also adopted its electronic meeting policy and heard introductions from new members, staff, and officials from the Secretary of Labor’s office and the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC). Secretary Jessica Lumen outlined the administration’s workforce and labor priorities, including supporting workers, employers, and program transparency, while members raised concerns about business climate, job losses, labor participation, and the implementation of paid family and medical leave. Staff provided legislative updates on recent unemployment-related bills. These included increases to the weekly unemployment benefit amount enacted in 2025 and 2026, a bill on labor dispute disqualification that changed how lockouts are treated for benefit eligibility, and a budget item providing $75,000 for actuarial support to the commission. The commission also discussed the 2025 work group on annual adjustments to weekly benefit amounts; staff reported that the work group did not complete its charge, and members agreed to revisit whether to reconstitute it at a future meeting. Delegate Martinez expressed support for continuing the work, and the chair said the issue would be taken up at the next meeting. Deputy Commissioner Joanna Darkus gave a detailed presentation on Virginia’s unemployment insurance system, including current claims data, eligibility rules, employer tax structure, benefit levels, trust fund solvency, fraud prevention, and customer service operations. She reported that Virginia’s unemployment rate remains low, weekly claims are modest, the current weekly benefit range is $160 to $478, and the trust fund balance factor is projected at 50.9 percent, near the threshold for additional employer charges. Members asked about the taxable wage base, trust fund solvency, the effect of benefit increases, fraud controls, and the planned paid family and medical leave program. VEC said it is implementing that program through regulations, staffing, IT procurement, public listening sessions, and consultation with other states. A public commenter from the Virginia Poverty Law Center urged the commission to strengthen state investment in unemployment insurance and warned that federal support is uncertain. The commission then adjourned without taking further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think I'm aware that Commissioner Smith is going to be joining us virtually, so we'll be looking
• commissioner at the Virginia Employment Commission, and our commissioner, Melissa Smith, is pleased to join virtually
• We also announced yesterday that we will be holding listening sessions virtually.
• announced yesterday that we will be two days ago, actually, we'll be holding listening sessions virtually
• increasing work-based learning opportunities, increasing internships, and connecting people between the school

Keywords: Commission on Unemployment Compensation, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1102, on the School Readiness Program, by Senator Calatayud.
• It provides additional funding through the Special Needs Differential Allocation for School Readiness
• Health services in schools, with findings reported to state leaders.
• and supports to schools.
• Clarity is provided for truancy processes at the school district and court levels.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• oftentimes for local governments, for cities, whether it be for the league or whether it be at the school
• oftentimes for local governments, for cities, whether it be for the league or whether it be at the school
• So if, say, three members of a five-member school board wanted to participate in ASBA, only a prorated
• This legislature, virtually two-thirds of it. Pima County, we've got five cities, 12 legislators.
• two-thirds of it Pima County we've got this legislature, virtually two-thirds of it.

Bills: SB1246, SB1338, SB1428, SB1443, SB1501, SB1566, SB1571, SB1645, SB1646, SB1663, SB1688, SB1805, SB1808, SB1825, SCR1023, SCR1029, HB2079, HB2080, HB2130, HB2239, HB2324, HB2375, HB2610, HB2619, HB2620, HB2716, HB2745, HB2749, HB2837, HB2857, HB2968, HB4064, HB4066, HB4087, HB4130, HCR2048, HCR2058

Keywords: homeowners associations, foreclosure, common expense liens, condominiums, special assessments, unit owner, public benefits, eligibility, immigration status, documentation, Arizona law, county governance, supervisorial board, population-based representation, local government, elections, noise pollution, environmental nuisances, building permits, urban development

Transcript Highlights:

• Additional toolkits for school psychologists, school social workers, and others are on the way.
• of education, school districts, and charter schools.
• , school districts, charter schools.
• Very spotty responses from my school districts on these. I spoke with school board members.
• Having school social workers in schools has been a huge improvement.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A few months later, Florida Virtual School contracts with us, with DJJ, to become the Florida Scholars
• First day of school, July 1, 2024.
• FSA provides appropriate instruction both personally and virtually.
• middle school enrollment 317; GED student enrollment 212; adult student enrollment 167.
• We've also partnered with trade schools.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met to hear budget presentations from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), an FDLE update on the Uniform Arrest Affidavit and Florida Incident-Based Reporting System (FIBERS), the Department of Juvenile Justice on Florida Scholars Academy, and the Clerks of Court Operations Corporation. FDLE requested funding for a wide range of items, including a new Fort Myers regional operations center lease, technology upgrades for missing persons alerts and criminal justice data systems, replacement breath-test instruments, recurring support for critical public safety contracts, cybersecurity, a career offender registry unit, expanded wellness and peer support for law enforcement, cryptocurrency seizure efforts, vehicle replacement, forensic lab and digital forensics upgrades, a repaired Jacksonville firearm range, and additional resources for criminal alien detection, fentanyl enforcement, and other operational needs. Senators questioned FDLE about the reported 79% increase in officer misconduct cases, body cameras, masking by officers, public records request burdens, and the status of criminal alien detection funding. FDLE’s second presentation explained that FIBERS is Florida’s incident-based crime reporting system and that 61% of agencies, covering 74% of the population, have transitioned to it. The agency also described the Uniform Arrest Affidavit initiative, which standardizes arrest data for statewide sharing. Senators asked about NCIC/FCIC access, hate crime reporting requirements, and why more agencies have not adopted the UAA and FIBERS systems; FDLE said it is working with law enforcement associations and vendors to address technology and implementation barriers. The committee also heard from DJJ Secretary Matt Walsh, who praised FDLE’s wellness program and then reported on Florida Scholars Academy’s first year, including unified education across 39 residential facilities, security fixes after early website access issues, strong enrollment and graduation numbers, and extensive support for students with disabilities. Walsh said the program still faces staffing shortages and a wait list for residential beds, and estimated about 260 additional beds are needed. The final presentation came from Clerk of Court and Comptroller Stacey Butterfield, who said clerks are operating with outdated funding levels and requested $22 million to stabilize operations. She highlighted reimbursement shortfalls for injunctions for protection and other high-risk cases, rising postage and summons costs, and the need to fund clerk staffing for 37 new judges under the “fund the entire courtroom” concept. Senators asked about SB 532, a CPI-based court-fee bill, and about collections of court fines and fees. Butterfield said clerks work with defendants on payment plans and collections, but the system still faces a structural deficit. After the presentations and questions, the committee adjourned without taking any substantive votes or other action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our schools, and any school in Massachusetts, any school in this country, already needed more support
• our school better.
• Rural school aid keeps Chester and other schools like ours moving forward.
• , a school secretary, a school nurse, and a school custodian regardless of whether it serves 600 students
• Our school budget...

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Ways and Means Committee held its final public hearing on the FY26 state budget, with chairs and members emphasizing that public testimony would help shape the budget and asking speakers to keep remarks brief. Committee leaders introduced members, explained the hearing process, and repeatedly thanked residents, students, and advocates for participating. No votes were taken during the hearing. Testimony focused heavily on education funding and the Chapter 70 formula. Students from Amherst, Northampton, Gateway Regional, Chester Elementary, and other districts described budget-driven cuts to electives, special education supports, paraprofessionals, counselors, transportation, and building maintenance. They urged higher Chapter 70 aid, increased minimum aid, rural school aid, and a reopening or restructuring of the funding formula, arguing that current formulas leave many districts unable to meet student needs and force local layoffs and overrides. Other speakers urged funding or protection for a range of programs and facilities, including the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute for homicide survivor services, the Museum of African American History, the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and CART/interpreter services, the Access to Counsel housing legal aid program, the Department of Mental Health and Pocasset Mental Health Center, and Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children. One speaker opposed offshore wind-related spending and urged a reset of the state’s energy approach, while another advocated ending the aircraft sales tax exemption. Committee members responded sympathetically to many speakers, asked a few follow-up questions, and several expressed support for maintaining or expanding the programs discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are kids gambling in high school on their cell phones.
• These are kids gambling in high school on their cell phones.
• currency business activities may virtual currency business activities may include<01:46:42.680> virtual
• for customers to access, transfer, or redeem money or virtual currency.
• Um, section 15 is the repealer, which repeals sections related to virtual currency kiosks.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a graduate of FSU Law School and board-certified in juvenile law.
• admitted in a later deposition, after presenting damaging testimony against the parents, to having virtually
• After presenting damaging testimony against the parents, to having virtually no knowledge about Ehlers-Danlos
• The study of school-based behavioral health access focuses on telehealth and some discharge requirements

Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee considered three bills and reported all of them favorably. HB 1013, relating to crisis care coordination, would create a pilot program in Polk and Volusia counties to connect people who have had Baker Act-related crises with follow-up counseling, assessments, and outpatient services through partnerships between law enforcement and community providers. The sponsor said the program has reduced repeat Baker Act commitments in Polk County, and the committee adopted a strike-all amendment moving the pilot to a different statute, formalizing partnerships, and requiring an independent DCF evaluation due in January 2029. The bill drew support from mental health and justice advocates and passed unanimously. The committee then heard PCS for HB 511, which addresses child protective investigations involving specific medical diagnoses. Sponsors and several parents, attorneys, and advocates described cases in which children were removed after injuries were initially treated as abuse but later linked to conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, metabolic bone disease, or other medical fragility. They argued the bill would require notice of the right to a second medical opinion, better consideration of preexisting conditions and medical records, and more coordination before reports are sent to law enforcement, while still preserving protections for abused children. Members expressed sympathy for the families and emphasized the need for fairness and accurate medical review; the bill passed 17-0. Finally, HB 1439, based on recommendations from the 2025 Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder, was presented as a broader mental health and substance use disorder measure focused on crisis response, access to care, and workforce development. An amendment aligned the bill more closely with commission recommendations, including assessment tools, trauma-informed practices, school-based behavioral health access, telehealth, discharge planning, and long-acting injectable treatment access. The commission chair testified that the bill reflected a vetted set of recommendations from subject matter experts and commissioners, and the committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably by unanimous vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It permits the day to be observed in public schools, the capital and elsewhere as designated by the governor
• If it falls on a day, that's not the school day.
• I'm going to turn the virtual gavel over to my vice chair, Senator Jones. >> Thank you so much.
• Yes. >> And by your vote SB 42 is reported favorably and I will now return to virtual gavel.

Keywords: 999, senate, all