Transcript Highlights:

• So DOE came in this spring, $36 million.
• So we'll start to see next spring.
• So we'll start to see next spring.
• And so we are standing up what is called B3 Group, which is a spring-fall recurring education series,
• And now we had our largest record-breaking farm financial stability program that we have just closed

Summary: The committee received a compliance and budget update on Industrial Commission agencies and programs, including the Industrial Commission administrative office, the Oil and Gas Research Program, the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority, the State Energy Research Center, the Research Technology Park grant program, and related funds. Staff reviewed spending and balances for items such as electric grid resiliency grants, lignite research, enhanced oil recovery, the salt cavern business case study, and the new NDSU research and technology park grant. Members also discussed timing, carryover balances, matching requirements, and how some programs are structured to reimburse projects over several years rather than spend funds immediately. Karen Tyler of the Industrial Commission described the agency’s administrative budget, the grant management system nearing completion, and the transition to standalone audits and staffing after separating from other agencies. She also outlined the status of active grant rounds across lignite, oil and gas, renewable energy, outdoor heritage, and clean sustainable energy programs. Members asked about the length of active grants, demand for clean energy funding, and the possibility of future grant rounds. Tyler and members also discussed the salt cavern study, the need to better define its commercial value, and the research technology park grant’s cash-match requirement. Ron Ness then testified on enhanced oil recovery and broader oil and gas market conditions. He said North Dakota production remained steady, but future growth depends on infrastructure, longer laterals, and better use of natural gas and carbon dioxide for EOR. He described the state’s EOR grant round, the use of federal DOE funding to replace part of a state-funded project, and the expectation of additional grant rounds. Members asked about CO2 supply, storage, and the economics of using legacy fields and pipelines to extend oil production and support agriculture and industrial uses. The committee also heard from Bank of North Dakota President Don Morgan, who reviewed the bank’s mission, governance, lending verticals, disaster programs, and new initiatives. He said the bank is seeing deposit growth flatten and is responding to fintech competition by focusing on liquidity, risk management, and a new payment infrastructure initiative called Rough Rider Coin, which he emphasized is not crypto and not a public coin, but a banking payment rail for North Dakota institutions. Members asked about student loan rates, disaster lending, and how the bank’s lines of credit and balance sheet capacity are affected by deposit trends. Morgan said the bank remains profitable and continues to support agriculture, commerce, and industry through participation loans, student lending, and state-directed programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• plump, manatees have very little fat; the need for warmth drives them to seek refuge in Florida's springs
• access to Silver Springs.
• NEED FOR WARMTH DRIVES THEM TO  SEEK REFUGE IN FLORIDA'S SPRINGS.
• AND ALLOW  THEM UNIMPEDED ACCESS TO SILVER  61 SPRINGS.
• FLORIDA'S MOST IMPORTANT RECHARGE REGIONS THAT SUPPORT THE AQUIFER SILVER   75 SPRINGS AND

Summary: The committee first took up CS/House Bill 981, which would restore the Ocklawaha River and related natural resources. Supporters, including environmental groups, Save the Manatee Club, business owners, and Reunite the Rivers advocates, argued the bill would improve manatee habitat, fish passage, flood protection, tourism, and long-term economic returns while reducing dam maintenance costs. Opponents and skeptics focused on concerns about water quality, nutrient loading in the St. Johns River, loss of the Rodman Reservoir’s habitat and water-supply value, and potential ecological and economic harms. Members in debate largely supported the restoration effort, and the bill was reported favorably on a unanimous vote. The committee then heard HB 697, the PRICE Act, which would use international reference pricing to set a drug cost benchmark, address pharmacy benefit manager practices, and require health plans to keep drug prices stable for the year. The sponsor said the bill would lower costs and improve access, especially for uninsured Floridians. Supporters, including independent pharmacists, argued PBMs are squeezing pharmacies and that the bill could help lower prices. Opponents from BioFlorida and PhRMA warned the proposal could disrupt the national drug supply chain, fail to pass savings to patients, and lead to shortages, reduced access, and less innovation. After debate, the bill passed favorably, with Rep. Chambliss voting no. The committee also considered CS/HB 1081, which was amended to include private colleges and universities with NCA designation in the program. After brief discussion and support from United Way Miami, the committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, CS/HB 177 was introduced as a framework for Florida’s regional councils to cross-assign bills among regions; it received supportive testimony and was also reported favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any reason why we can't put it off until after spring break and have a chance to look at it?
• Is there any reason why we can't put it off until after spring break and have a chance to look at it?
• And so, in my preference, is that you would agree that we just wait until spring break.
• Nothing's going to happen for spring break anyway. Right.
• All right, I'm ready for spring break. I don't know about you guys. Are you going somewhere?

Committee: House General Laws

Summary: The Committee on General Laws met with a quorum and first went into executive session on House Bill 3088, where members discussed concerns raised by hospitals about proposed language changes. The bill sponsor said he was still working with hospitals and would continue to refine the measure, but several members objected to voting before seeing the revised language. HB 3088 was nevertheless voted do pass by an 8-4 vote. The committee then approved House Bill 2749 by an 8-4-1 vote, after which it moved into public hearing. The committee heard House Bill 2844, which would prohibit paraquat use in Missouri and require reporting related to its use. Representative Gallick said the bill was intended to be narrow and focused on paraquat’s toxicity and possible links to Parkinson’s disease. Supporters, including the Michael J. Fox Foundation, Missouri Coalition for the Environment, Sierra Club, and others, argued that paraquat is highly toxic, that research links exposure to increased Parkinson’s risk, and that many countries have banned it. Opponents from the Missouri Soybean Association, Missouri AgriBusiness Association, Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Corn Growers, and Missouri Pork Association said paraquat is a restricted-use pesticide already regulated under federal law, is important for weed control and crop production, and that a state ban would set a dangerous precedent and harm farmers. The committee took no final action on HB 2844 during the hearing. The committee also heard House Bill 1880, which would bar school districts and charter schools from selling beverages with more than 100 milligrams of caffeine per container to students. Representative Reuter said the bill was inspired by students from Seckman High School and cited concerns about adolescent caffeine consumption. Student witnesses described energy drink use at school, health effects such as anxiety, heart racing, dehydration, and sleep disruption, and said the bill would help reduce harmful habits. Several members supported the goal but suggested the threshold might be too high, that private schools receiving state scholarship funds should be included, and that school boards might be a better place to address the issue; others noted the bill lacked an enforcement provision. No vote was taken on HB 1880.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:11.760><c> Um,</c> was that and it gave us a break. Um, was that and it gave us a break.
• And he plays with the pads during break times in the classroom.
• And he plays with the pads during break times in the classroom.
• And he plays with the pads during break times in the classroom.
• So, it's break times in the classroom.

Transcript Highlights:

• break as 15.
• </c><00:10:24.920><c> the</c> have rest breaks or meal breaks in the have rest breaks or meal breaks
• They have breaks now.
• They have breaks now.
• </c> spring break travel period. spring break travel period.

Transcript Highlights:

• One being, as a former teacher, I know how the spring is, and There truly is spring fever, members.
• On Thanksgiving, on Christmas, on Easter, spring breaks, but it doesn't give them, and most of the kids
• televisions, breaking computer screens.
• And these kids are going to be able to break cycles of poverty.
• They're going to be able to break cycles of incarceration and break cycles of injustice.

Transcript Highlights:

• Several districts in the Hill Country area have their DFC tied to spring flow from certain springs, or
• And so one of the things when you mentioned springs and spring-fed creeks that feed the river, if we
• What is that consequence of those springs being depleted?
• The big springs are because there's a fissure under pressure, and maybe that shallow spring that's already
• And it really does break my heart seeing...

Committee: House Natural Resources

Summary: The committee held a hearing on high-capacity groundwater wells proposed in Anderson, Henderson, and Houston counties, with members framing the issue as one of local water supply, fairness, and the need to modernize groundwater law while protecting private property rights. Opening remarks focused on the scale of the proposed Redtown Ranch and Pine Bliss projects, the potential export of tens of thousands of acre-feet of groundwater annually, and concerns that the applications lacked sufficient technical detail and could harm nearby landowners, cities, agriculture, and manufacturing. Members also noted the broader context of the recent flooding tragedy in central Texas and the Legislature’s intent to address water-related loss of life in the upcoming special session. Witnesses from the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts and the Texas Water Development Board explained the current groundwater management framework. They described groundwater conservation districts as the state’s preferred management method, the role of groundwater management areas and desired future conditions, and how the Water Development Board uses those conditions to calculate modeled available groundwater. They emphasized that districts rely on local data, monitoring wells, and planning processes, but that information is often more limited in areas without a district, where the rule of capture applies. Members pressed witnesses on recharge rates, export permits, subsidence, the effect of pumping on nearby wells, the age and real-time availability of model data, and whether the proposed project would exceed modeled available groundwater in some counties. TCEQ explained its limited oversight role over groundwater conservation districts, including inquiries, compliance actions, and, in extreme cases, dissolution authority. Water Development Board staff also outlined funding programs, saying the New Water Supply for Texas Fund is limited to projects such as brackish desalination, reuse, ASR, and other new-supply projects, and does not fund fresh groundwater exports alone. They said the project at issue had not applied for board funding. A water lawyer then testified on the rule of capture, ownership in place, and district regulation, arguing that districts must use permitting and other tools to manage production within modeled available groundwater and that the Legislature could consider additional authority over groundwater exports under current law.

Transcript Highlights:

• AS WELL AS THE BREAK THAT WE HAD. SENATOR DAVIS YOU SNUCK IN.
• OUT IN THE SPRINGS AREA AND I KNOW THAT HOSPITAL WAS CLASSIFIED ON THE FEDERAL SIDE AS URBAN.
• YOU MENTION THE HOSPITAL AT THE SPRINGS THAT IS SURROUNDED ON ALL SIDES BY AN AGRICULTURAL AREA.
• IN THE SPRINGS.
• ONE IN LATE 2025 AND ONE IN THE SPRING. PERMANENT RULEMAKING WILL OCCUR PRIOR TO THE FISCAL YEAR.

Transcript Highlights:

• break services so they can go to work.
• And I'll be the first to say that everyday Floridians need a break. They absolutely need a break.
• And that's my concern is that this is not a tax break. This is a tax shift.
• Children’s Services Council funds her aftercare, her summer camp, her spring break camp, and her winter
• East Tampa, Progress Village, Sulfur Springs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's say your car breaks down. You're going to work in construction.
• This is a chart that basically breaks down the complexity and the various programs that we offer.
• This is a chart that basically breaks down the complexity and the various programs that we offer.
• This guaranteed pathway to employment... ...spring 2026 cohort.
• Again, we're breaking ground in Rosemead to develop a public safety sector.

Summary: The Select Committee on Effective Postsecondary Career, Technical Education, and Workforce Development Programs met at Santa Ana College for its first hearing, with Chair Mike Fong opening by emphasizing the role of community colleges in college access, affordability, and workforce pathways. He highlighted AB 1098 creating the California Interagency Education Council and AB 323, which expanded Strong Workforce funds to support paid internships, and framed the hearing as a showcase of successful CTE, apprenticeship, and workforce models across the state. The first panel focused on statewide workforce funding, labor-market trends, and apprenticeship. California Community Colleges Vice Chancellor Anthony Cordova described the Strong Workforce Program, credit for prior learning, dual enrollment, and apprenticeship growth, and asked the Legislature to restore and increase Strong Workforce funding and expand applied baccalaureate degrees. LAEDC’s Josep Bilayo pointed to high-growth sectors such as health care, education, construction, bioscience, and clean energy, stressing data-driven planning, employer engagement, flexible funding, and wraparound supports. Andrew Gonzalez of the Los Angeles/Orange County Building and Construction Trades Council argued that registered apprenticeship must be paid, classroom-based, and tied to a portable credential, and described apprenticeship readiness programs, wraparound services, and community workforce agreements as effective tools for placing diverse, low-income, and justice-involved workers into union careers. Eric Morrison Smith of the Alliance for Boys and Men of Color discussed SB 191 and the California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship Grant Program, recommending stronger coordination, intermediary infrastructure, better tracking of youth apprenticeships, more resources for community-based organizations, and a bridge program to connect high school students and opportunity youth to apprenticeships. The committee then turned to firefighting academies and career training at Santa Ana College. President Annabelle Neri and Vice President Jeffrey Lamb described Santa Ana College as a major trainer of firefighters and first responders, with extensive noncredit workforce training, multiple bachelor’s degrees, and strong job placement in fire-related fields. They emphasized hands-on training, wellness services, mock interviews, sponsorships with fire agencies, and partnerships with local law enforcement and the U.S. Forest Service. Neri also urged changes to the state’s applied baccalaureate rules to remove the “duplication” restriction so more community colleges can offer workforce-focused bachelor’s degrees tied to living-wage jobs. The hearing ended with discussion of how regional and statewide planning should work together, how to reduce duplication and administrative barriers, and how to better align education, employers, and apprenticeship systems to meet California’s workforce needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the spring of 1994, the Florida state legislature voted to award $2 million in compensation to the
• Johns, fed by Silver Springs, one of the world's largest springs.
• Attendance at Silver Springs is now less than half of what it formerly was.
• We'll take a break from the Brodeur show and take up tab 8, SB 1216 by Senator Rodriguez.
• We'll take a break from the Broder Show and take up tab 8, SB 1216 by Senator Rodriguez.

Bills: S0330 , S0474 , S0694 , S1120 , S1216 , S1366 , S1442 , S7018

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: firefighter disability, law enforcement disability, correctional officer disability, correctional probation officer, presumptive disability, workers' compensation, line of duty presumption, heart disease presumption, hypertension presumption, tuberculosis presumption, public safety employees, first responders, physical examination, preemployment exam, medical specialist, Medicare reimbursement, employing agency, Florida Statutes 112.18, Florida Statutes 943.13, occupational disease

Transcript Highlights:

• To join you here on Dyslexia Day at the Capitol about raising awareness and breaking down the stigma.
• constantly. ...and she's gone from leading her neighborhood group to running for school board in Spring
• I am from Spring Branch ISD.
• For instance, my district, Spring Branch ISD, is predicting an $8 to $10 million shortfall in special
• I actually grew up in Spring Branch ISD, so I'm here to represent Spring Woods High School.

Keywords: special education, funding gap, dyslexia, House Bill 2, Senate Bill 568, House Bill 3928, disability penalty

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on special education funding, with significant discussions around House Bill 2 (HB2), Senate Bill 568 (SB568), and House Bill 3928 (HB3928). Key speakers advocated for increased funding to close the estimated $1.7 billion annual gap that affects special education in Texas public schools. Several witnesses, including educators and students affected by dyslexia, provided personal testimonies about the impact of insufficient funding and the disability penalty, which penalizes schools financially for identifying students needing special education services. The committee demonstrated a strong commitment to advocate for changes that would improve special education resources and training for teachers, thereby ensuring that all Texas children receive the educational support they need to thrive.

Transcript Highlights:

• Megan Harmon of Colorado Springs, Colorado, to serve as an executive officer of a state bank, reappointed
• 00:28:02.920><c> Harmon</c><00:28:03.240><c> of</c><00:28:03.320><c> Colorado</c><00:28:03.600><c> Springs
• Megan Harmon of Colorado Springs, 2029.
• Megan Harmon of Colorado Springs, Colorado<00:28:04.200><c> to</c><00:28:04.280><c> serve</c><00:28:04.440
• ><c> building</c> breaking down barriers and building breaking down barriers and building pathways,<00

Transcript Highlights:

• Southern Baptist Convention, having been ordained at the uh Philadelphia Baptist Church of Tunnel Springs
• </c><00:06:02.479><c> Uh</c><00:06:02.880><c> I</c> Springs, Monroe County, Alabama.
• Uh I Springs, Monroe County, Alabama.
• I don't think this will be a make-or-break deal for any of that.
• </c> be a make or break deal for any of that. be a make or break deal for any of that.

Bills: HB272 , HB272

Committee: House Constitution, Campaigns and Elections

Keywords: HB272, LASEA, AMSTEP, Alabama Commission on Higher Education, State Department of Education, teacher loan repayment, student loan forgiveness, educator shortage, teacher shortage, acute educator shortage, acute shortage location, public K-12 schools, school systems, math teachers, science teachers, computer science teachers, charter schools, failing schools, underperforming schools, teacher recruitment

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm just a little concerned in my... >> Let me use making a fire break.
• So I'm just a little concerned in my... >> Let me use making a fire break.
• I'm sorry. >> I do have an amendment that I proposed last spring.
• I'm sorry. >> I do have an amendment that I proposed last spring.
• Seeing none, we are now on break until 1:00. And Republicans, please meet in the next room.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• When you break down how many federal dollars were spent in research and innovation in 2025.
• Injected into the ground to spring up elsewhere to kill an individual's cows or whatever the case may
• I mean there's tens of thousands of people that hunt Morels in the spring.
• They do it in the spring. I mean families plan their time around this.
• They only grow for about 3 or 4 weeks in the spring. I didn't run the bill. I didn't run the bill.

Bills: HB2445 , HB2123 , HB3048 , HB3176 , HB3239 , HB3263 , HB3794 , HB3796 , HB4265 , HB4266 , HB4317 , HB4321 , HB4322 , HB3673

Committee: House Commerce & Economic Development Oversight

Keywords: HB2445, Route 66, Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Forward Commission, centennial, historic highway, preservation, tourism, historical society, scenic byway, National Historic Trail, Route 66 Alliance, Route 66 Association, Oklahoma Historical Society, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, historic preservation, heritage tourism, public-private partnership, sunset extension, commission extension

Transcript Highlights:

• It plays a vital role in returning nutrients to the soil by breaking down dead and decaying plant and
• down dead and decaying plant by breaking down dead and decaying plant and<00:10:08.399><c> animals.
• But do you know the certain point, the cutoff point, of getting like early spring, of all the edible
• When's the cutoff date in the spring that you're not supposed to eat any mushrooms?
• >> I'm not aware of a cutoff point in the spring that you can't eat mushrooms.

Committee: House Tourism & Outdoor Recreation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> recycler of mattresses and box springs recycler of mattresses and box springs in<00:04:10.160><c
• That fee box spring sold in Minnesota.
• All of that, my understanding is that they are basically break even.
• I can get they are basically break even.
• </c><00:33:34.160><c> sold</c> mattresses and box springs sold mattresses and box springs sold annually

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• We protect land, ranch lands, timberlands, wetlands, beaches, spring sheds, and forests.
• We protect land, ranch lands, and timberlands, wetlands, beaches, spring sheds, and forests, because
• Breaking that down a bit and focusing on the land protection side, we, as a nonprofit land trust like
• As you heard, we are breaking easement milestones, expanding agricultural land protection, and seeing
• approval of the Florida Forever priority list and work plan by the governor and the cabinet each spring

Summary: The Committee on Agriculture met to hear updates on land conservation and agricultural preservation programs. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services presented on the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, explaining that it protects active agricultural lands through conservation easements while keeping land in private ownership and on the tax rolls. The director said the program requires participants to use agricultural best management practices, noted strong demand with 428 ranked projects for 2025, and reported that consistent legislative funding and partnerships with USDA, DOD, local governments, land trusts, and water management districts have expanded acreage protected, much of it within the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Committee members asked about eligibility, ranking, local government involvement, and how many projects are typically funded each year. Conservation Florida’s president and CEO testified that both Rural and Family Lands and Florida Forever are critical and complementary tools for preserving working lands, wildlife habitat, water resources, and public access to nature. She warned that uncertainty or cuts in state funding can stall projects, raise land prices, and reduce conservation momentum. In discussion with senators, she said public access is often negotiated case by case and is more common on lands acquired for parks, forests, and other public green space than on conservation easements. The Department of Environmental Protection then updated the committee on Florida Forever, describing it as the state’s premier conservation and recreation land acquisition program. DEP said Florida Forever uses both conservation easements and fee-simple purchases, with about half of acquisitions done through easements, and emphasized that steady funding is needed to keep projects moving. The deputy secretary reported 60 projects on the current work plan, more than $1.4 billion invested since 2019, and recent acquisitions including new state forest, park, and preserve expansions. Members also raised concerns about payment in lieu of taxes for fiscally constrained counties, local notification of acquisitions, and the need for continued support for agriculture, citrus, roads, and conservation funding. No formal votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after member comments and public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• They can break apart.
• shrimp along the coast, or how the Carrabelle Junction is the perfect spot for a post-beach ice cream break
• I remember when this proposal came forward in the spring or the summer and being part of...
• This proposal came forward in the spring or the summer and being part of kind of the conservation community
• on the committee will believe that their area is the best, but I'll tell you the coastlines, the springs

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and took up five bills related to Florida waterways, vessels, and environmental protection. HB 1149 on vessel accountability was presented as a way to strengthen enforcement against derelict and long-term anchored vessels, create nuisance authority for repeat violators, and shift relocation/disposal costs to owners; it drew support from marine industry and boating groups and passed 15-1. HB 795 would allow voluntary buffer zones near deepwater port channels and turning basins to prevent anchoring or mooring in protected areas; after questions about federal overlap and impacts on other counties, an amendment narrowed the buffer concept and added authority to remove uninsured vessels anchored more than 45 days, and the bill passed 13-3 with committee substitute. HB 1285 defined “migrant vessels” and authorized FWC to remove them more quickly as derelict vessels; a technical amendment was adopted, Monroe County supported the bill, and it passed unanimously 16-0. The committee then considered HB 1133, which would restructure the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission by requiring geographic representation on the seven-member board, staggering terms, and limiting warrantless entry onto private land by FWC officers. The sponsor said the goal was to ensure statewide representation and align FWC enforcement with probable-cause standards; an amendment changed board terms from five years to three years, and the bill passed 16-0. Finally, HB 1143, sponsored by Representatives Shoaf and Tant, would prohibit oil and gas drilling and exploration within 10 miles of certain sensitive estuarine and coastal areas and require DEP to weigh environmental and economic impacts before permitting near waterways. Support came from oyster farmers, shellfish groups, conservation advocates, and local residents, while the American Petroleum Institute opposed the setback as too broad and raised mineral-rights concerns. After extensive debate emphasizing protection of Apalachicola Bay, tourism, seafood, and fragile ecosystems, the bill passed unanimously 16-0.