Transcript Highlights:

• This is a time more than ever that many Floridians need our help.
• How do we know if we need to adjust the assumption again?
• Like how will we know if we need to do something different? You're recognized.
• How do we know if we need to adjust the assumption again?
• The experience study is conducted by Milliman, the actuary for DMS.

Summary: The Government Operations Subcommittee met with a quorum and began with member introductions and remarks from the chair emphasizing the committee’s focus on government efficiency, accountability, and oversight of executive branch agencies. Members shared their districts and backgrounds, with several noting hurricane recovery in their communities and a shared interest in reducing bureaucracy and improving service to Floridians. The committee’s only presentation was from Chris Spencer, Executive Director of the State Board of Administration, who gave an overview of the SBA’s governance structure, investment responsibilities, and divestment policies. He explained the SBA’s management of more than $257 billion in assets, including the Florida Retirement System, the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, and Florida PRIME, and reviewed the Protecting Florida’s Investments Act restrictions covering Northern Ireland, Cuba, Venezuela, Israel, Sudan, Iran, and China. He also described the implementation of HB 7071, including the required divestment from direct holdings in Chinese companies, and said the SBA had reduced its direct Chinese holdings from 33 companies totaling over $172 million to 13 companies totaling about $64 million, with completion expected ahead of the September 1, 2025 deadline. Members asked detailed questions about the Israel boycott list, Morningstar and MSCI, how the SBA gathers information, whether Cuba’s federal designation changes affect Florida law, how companies are removed from scrutinized lists, and whether divestment timing could affect returns. Spencer said the SBA uses public and paid research sources, gives companies a 90-day cure period in some cases, and brings list changes to the trustees for approval. He also explained that the China benchmark change is intended to reduce passive exposure while still allowing active investment decisions, and said the PFIA restrictions have had a modestly positive overall effect on pension performance. The chair also asked about the Florida Retirement System funded ratio and the CAT Fund’s capacity; Spencer said the pension fund is at 80.7% funded, that actuarial assumptions are reviewed regularly, and that the CAT Fund currently has more than $10.5 billion in liquid claims-paying capacity and is expected to remain well positioned for hurricane losses. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We mostly care that she needs money. We mostly care that she needs money.
• Maybe you think you need a child.
• So it is something that needs to be... So it is something that needs to be considered.
• They need the documentation. They need the documentation that this is their baby.
• Yes, we need more disclosure.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And finally, if the committee feels that it needs to further study this concept before reaching a decision
• <00:21:00.960> to<00:21:01.120> further<00:21:01.520> study feels that it needs
• to further study feels that it needs to further study this<00:21:02.280> concept<00:21:03.280
• If this goes to a study committee, then it puts off the time that we would need to go after that designation
• committee recommended a true study committee recommended a true study committee.<00:23:27.679>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we need to address that one for sure. So we need to address that one for sure.
• ><00:27:21.840> talk puzzle that we need to we need to talk puzzle that we need to we need to
• Do I need more staff?
• Do I need more staff? I always schools. Do I need more staff?
• practices that that met students needs? practices that that met students needs?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The commission met to review and amend the minutes from its previous meeting, correcting the date, several spelling and wording errors, and clarifying references to a scholarship fund and a member’s title. The minutes were then approved as amended, with some members abstaining because they were not present at the prior meeting. The chair then turned to the commission’s work plan under SB 57, emphasizing the need to prioritize the statutory topics and identify which issues require additional research, documentation, and possible spreadsheets. Members discussed a broad range of special education cost drivers and policy questions, including student referral rates, why students are classified as other health impaired, whether referrals increased after COVID school closures, intervention processes before referral, the cost of services required under IEPs and 504 plans, differences between federal law, state law, and DOE rules, reporting of special education costs, out-of-district and residential placements, district sharing of resources, dispute resolution, graduation rates, and adult learning outcomes. Several members raised concerns that school environments, mental health, bullying, and possible overidentification may be contributing to rising special education numbers and costs, while others cautioned that some reported district percentages may be inflated or unclear because of how the data are counted. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 742, which would eliminate prorated special education aid when state appropriations are insufficient and require the governor to draw a warrant to cover shortfalls. Representative Ames explained that the bill had been recommended for interim study because the commission is already examining special education costing, and he highlighted the gap between FY24 special education costs of about $977.1 million and state aid of $33.9 million for catastrophic aid, $67.4 million for differentiated aid, and $50.8 million in federal IDEA funds, leaving local districts to cover about $825.1 million. He argued the commission should ultimately make clear that both the federal government and the state should contribute more. The Department of Education, through Melissa White, answered questions about data and oversight. She said special education counts come from IEPs entered into the state system using SASIDs, that DOE monitors districts through both desk audits and on-site visits, and that billing is checked against the services listed in each student’s IEP. She also said DOE’s special education work is largely federally funded, with roughly $56.7 million received through IDEA this year and about $49.1 million flowing through to LEAs, while the department retains a small amount for administration and statewide support activities. Members also discussed how adequacy calculations use special education counts from the state system and how those figures are reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• on their assessments when they come in.
• to figure out where, uh, Representative Allen gets all her energy, and we need to, we need to get some
• We have study hall every week.
• , but all clients are welcome to attend study hall.
• You know, you have a cold and you need to see the doctor.

Transcript Highlights:

• , um, design working group to study, um, design working group to study, evaluate,<00:04:51.040>
• would need of this magnitude we would need additional<00:06:48.960> resources<00:06:49.360>
• need to get to in terms of clean energy. need to get to in terms of clean energy.
• <00:32:15.600> uh and and the Americanore did a study uh and and the Americanore did a study
• on um no further actions were needed on um no further actions were needed solely<00:32:47.760>

Bills: SB3253, SB3154, SB3254

Keywords: conservation, endangered species, wildlife preservation, native birds, biodiversity, sanctuary, nonprofit, DLNR, agricultural district, land use, chapter 195D, chapter 205, chapter 42F, state funding, public purpose, habitat restoration, predator-free sanctuary, ecosystem restoration, Zealandia, wildlife refuge

Summary: The committee on Energy and Environmental Protection heard a long series of resolutions focused largely on waste reduction, energy planning, and environmental protection. Early measures included HR 12/HCR 10 on a permanent landfill host benefits program for Honolulu, HCR 148/HCR 157 on a demolition waste reduction working group, and HR 184/HCR 194 on a mattress stewardship program working group. Testimony on these waste-related measures was generally supportive from environmental groups and some individuals, while the Department of Health supported the mattress stewardship proposal. The Department of Health also commented that a proposed study on recyclable/biodegradable/compostable labeling was very broad and would require additional resources to carry out effectively. The committee then took up several energy-related resolutions. HR 192/HCR 202 would create a task force on Hawaii’s future energy pathways, and HR 194/HCR 204 would ask the Public Utilities Commission to conduct a comprehensive analysis of cost reductions and financial risk. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, the Hawaii State Energy Office, and the PUC offered support or comments on these measures, with environmental and industry groups also submitting testimony. Members questioned the Energy Office and PUC at length about errors in prior analyses, competitive bidding, and whether utility proposals could proceed through waiver processes; the PUC said any proposal would still be reviewed and that it generally prefers competitive bidding, while the Energy Office said some issues were being characterized differently and would follow up on waiver standards. Additional measures addressed data centers, liquefied natural gas, and utility oversight. HR 196/HCR 206 would convene a working group on the impacts of large data centers, and HR 197/HCR 207 would require conditions before the PUC approves LNG-related costs; testimony on LNG was split, with supporters urging caution and opponents arguing LNG should not be pursued. HR 193/HCR 2003 sought a written status update on implementation of the Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator, and HR 191/HCR 201 and HR 33/HCR 33 dealt with sewage and wastewater issues, both drawing support from environmental and community groups. The committee also heard strong support for HR 141/HCR 149 on Red Hill remediation meetings and HR 190/HCR 200 on reassessing military PFAS cleanup decisions; the Board of Water Supply testified in support and described ongoing PFAS testing and concerns beyond Red Hill. The transcript ends as the committee moved into decision-making, with the chair indicating a recommendation to pass HR 12/HCR 10.

Transcript Highlights:

• LORD, WE NEED YOU. WE NEED YOU America. LORD, WE NEED YOU.
• They need to They need to be productive.
• do<02:35:59.720> some but we needs to we need to do some but we needs to we need to do some
• >> I'm not sure this is needed. May be needed. May not be needed.
• these assessments. these assessments.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 4 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then heard several guest introductions, including a minister for the day, visiting school groups, forestry and farm organizations, and members of the Divine Nine. Members also recognized the East Webster Wolverines football team, the East Webster non-tumbling cheer champions, and the Simpson Academy Lady Cougars softball team for state championships. The chamber then moved to the calendar after dispensing with the journal reading. On the concurrence calendar, the House concurred in House Bill 1758 by a vote of 120-0 after members noted the Senate had made only grammatical changes. On the general calendar, the House passed Senate Bill 2126, with a strike-all amendment clarifying that sex-offender registry restrictions on name changes still allow changes for marriage or divorce with notice; the bill passed 118-0. The House also passed Senate Bill 2230, expanding authority for electronic hearings, notices, and certain electronic orders and warrants for justice, circuit, and county court judges on misdemeanors, by 116-0. Senate Bill 2631, creating a Mississippi Grain Indemnity Act to help grain producers recover losses if a buyer goes bankrupt, passed 121-0. Senate Bill 2637, giving the Northeast District livestock shows flexibility to move locations if facilities are inadequate, passed 121-0 after questions about the Verona site and possible improvements. Senate Bill 2648, allowing MSU Extension Service assistance with poultry litter plans and amended to include Alcorn State University in developing comprehensive nutrient management plans, passed 121-0. Senate Bill 2809, concerning ag theft officers’ firearm rights in the event of death or retirement, passed 116-2. Senate Bill 2638, removing a reverse repealer from a meat-labeling bill, passed 119-0. The House also began consideration of Senate Bill 2399, which would authorize DPS security personnel at certain Mississippi Department of Agriculture facilities to respond to security alarms because those facilities were omitted from the Capitol complex security arrangement. The transcript ends during the explanation of that bill, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is why you need a Kaylee in your life.
• Members, I need to be a ranking member. You are recognized. Thank you, Madam Chair. And Rep.
• Members, I need to be a ranking member. You are recognized. Thank you, Madam Chair. And Rep.
• The local government would be assessed a fee on... to produce parcel identifications.
• Sir, I really need to bring it in for a landing.

Summary: The Housing, Agriculture and Tourism Subcommittee heard and advanced several bills. HB 615, allowing landlords to send required notices electronically with tenant written consent, was amended to allow either landlords or tenants to send messages electronically and passed favorably after testimony from legal aid and tenant advocates urging stronger opt-in, opt-out, and notice protections. HB 665, dealing with local government impact fees and development permits, would limit certain art-related impact fees, define “extraordinary circumstances,” and require more public process before fee increases; it passed after local government and industry testimony focused on refining the extraordinary-circumstances definition and concerns about public art funding. HB 365, a tenant protection bill for affordable housing units receiving public incentives, was amended to apply only to leases of 13 months or less and to take effect in July 2026; it passed with support from housing advocates and AARP and was described as preventing mid-lease rent increases while preserving renewal-time adjustments. HB 381, requiring issuance of addresses and parcel identification numbers within a set timeframe, was amended to extend the deadline to 20 business days and shift the fee consequence to the address fee rather than the building permit fee; it passed after discussion about delays affecting developers and local government responsibility.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's difficult, but it's a dedication that we need to have in Nueces County.
• We thought that we would need another court. What really happened.
• I think we need it. But I'm concerned about how I'm going to pay for that.
• Department of Justice Bureau of Justice statistics study from 2022.
• And that study identified that the national, the minimum national average, so...

Bills: HB467, HB318, HB503, HB198, HB318, HB198

Keywords: hospital district, Cedar Creek, scholarship, dissolution, county judges, healthcare funding, grant program, rural counties, law enforcement, sheriff's departments, funding, public safety, deputy shortages, sheriff, prosecutor, salary assistance, HB 198, Wade Cannon Act, firefighter cancer screening, occupational cancer screening

Transcript Highlights:

• Assessment. Thank you.
• That's an anticipated expectation of what the needs are based on the assessment.
• We've got so many needs.
• study in 2024.
• And so I think by and large, the before we do anything on rates We probably need a new rate study because

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:49.519> of scholarships for the unmet needs of scholarships for the unmet needs of
• <00:16:37.720> skilled alike secondly Hawaii needs skilled alike secondly Hawaii needs skilled
• um we recently did a are in dire need um we recently did a study<01:11:37.120> and<01:11:38.120
• But we need new greenhouses there.
• We need new greenhouses there.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met at the University of Hawaiʻi’s Bachman Hall and heard testimony on several UH-related bills. HB 542 would expand the Hawaiʻi Promise Program to provide unmet-need scholarships at four-year UH campuses. UH system officials, the UH Student Caucus, and a Honolulu Community College student testified in support, emphasizing college affordability, student retention, and workforce needs. Committee members asked about current program data, eligibility, transfer patterns, and cost; UH said it had data available, noted about 10% of current Hawaiʻi Promise students transfer to four-year campuses, and estimated the full expansion would cost about $12 million. UH also suggested a possible alternative of focusing on transfer opportunities from two-year to four-year campuses. The committee then heard HB 840, which concerns athletics appropriations for UH. UH Mānoa and UH Hilo supported the bill. UH officials said the funding would help cover recurring athletics operating costs, women’s sports travel and recruiting, Austin Awards, and a new nutrition fueling station, while Hilo said the money would help with travel, per diem, and conference-related costs. Members asked about the history of the athletics funding, the difference between Austin Awards and special talent waivers, NIL planning, and whether the appropriation should be restored to the base budget. UH explained that a $4 million athletics appropriation was originally made in 2018 or 2019, later removed from the base, and has been reappropriated annually since then. Finally, the committee heard HB 842, which would fund three additional permanent mental health practitioner positions at UH Mānoa’s Counseling and Student Development Center. UH supported the bill, and Academic Labor United and a high school student testified in favor, citing student stress, overwork, and the need for more counseling access. In questions, members discussed the current counselor-to-student ratio, recruitment challenges in a tight labor market, and strategies for hiring, including looking at candidates on soft-money grants who may be seeking stable employment. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• If anything, kids who are acting out likely need more, not less.
• We believe we need to focus on prevention as well.
• We need to do better.
• That we need to get to as a whole in our country.
• They said, we need this integrative approach in our clinic.

Bills: SB 25, SB25, SB314

Keywords: attorney ad litem, indigent parents, parent-child relationship, legal representation, Texas Family Code, court procedures, nutrition, health standards, food labeling, education, dietary guidelines, medical education, food safety, school meals, child nutrition, food additives, public health, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:47.639> of develop to meet the unique needs of develop to meet the unique needs of
• Initial and annual assessments, along with background studies for all individuals age 13 or older, is
• Initial and annual assessments, along with background studies for all individuals age 13 or older, is
• <00:57:52.920> it who need it remains consistent needs it who need it remains consistent needs
• associated with the need.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They need that funding to meet those needs.
• In some cases, no fee increases are needed.
• same issue, asked for a study.
• It's a must-have, not a need-to-have.
• We need CUSP and we need LFPA. We farm all organically.

Summary: The meeting began with a lengthy opening discussion with Secretary Karen Ross of the Department of Food and Agriculture, who reviewed the department’s proposed budget, emphasized California agriculture’s record output, and highlighted major priorities including climate-smart agriculture, groundwater management, local food systems, farm-to-school, food hubs, invasive pest prevention, bird flu response, and food safety. She also warned about federal budget cuts, especially at USDA and FDA, and discussed market access challenges abroad, rising input costs, labor shortages, and the need for automation and workforce training. Members raised questions about the future of Farm to School, the California Nutrition Incentive Program/Market Match, local food procurement, and how to better connect farmers to schools, food banks, and food hubs; Ross said the department had strong evidence the program benefits small farms and Title I schools and noted continued interest in building out local food infrastructure. The committee then took up item one on eliminating vacant positions at the Departments of Fish and Wildlife, Parks and Recreation, and Food and Agriculture. The Legislative Analyst’s Office explained that the Governor proposed eliminating 6,000 vacant positions statewide, with the Joint Legislative Budget Committee previously rejecting 650 of them, including 174 in these three departments. LAO and Finance said the vacancies represented a source of budget flexibility, but warned that eliminating them could create program impacts; LAO recommended retaining the special-funded positions at Fish and Wildlife and Food and Agriculture, while weighing the General Fund positions against other priorities. Finance argued the reductions were part of a broader budget-resiliency exercise and that departments could reclassify or shift vacancies to higher priorities. Members focused heavily on the practical impacts of the cuts. Assemblymember Petrie-Norris argued that Fish and Wildlife staffing shortages were already slowing permits needed for housing, clean energy, water, and transportation projects, and questioned the value of saving relatively small amounts of money. Fish and Wildlife officials said the department had prioritized mission-critical work and could still meet permitting obligations, but acknowledged limited-term staffing constraints. State Parks said the proposed ranger and maintenance cuts would not have immediate effects but could slow maintenance and eventually worsen deferred maintenance. Food and Agriculture said some of the eliminated positions supported early pest detection and eradication, but that the department believed it could still meet its mandate and reclassify positions if needed. The chair and several members signaled concern about the Fish and Wildlife and Parks cuts, while also noting the broader need for budget reductions. The committee then moved to item six, hearing an overview from the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation. Staff described the office’s role in CEQA implementation and said the budget requests were baseline funding to maintain existing functions, including IT services and administrative/legislative support, rather than new programs. The chair asked the presenters to move quickly through background material so the committee could get to questions, and the item began with no votes taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assessment tool.
• We always need to remember this.
• We need more veterinarians, and we need them in underserved areas.
• We definitely need more money.
• I agree we need more vets, but we need this so much to support my industry.

Transcript Highlights:

• But it of energy if you needed it.
• Regardless of need, HB1 1741 for.
• So that would need to be fixed.
• a study committee or would probably need more work to get it over the finish line.
• rulemaking directive will be needed. rulemaking directive will be needed.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You need the money. I think all the positions are needed.
• right you need you need the money right you need you need the money you<00:12:59.959> need
• need the need but you guys see you guys need the need but then<00:21:37.880> you<00:21:37.960
• We only need $400,000 total for the study, and then once the study is completed it'll support redrawing
• <01:36:07.719> and need uh 400,000 total for the study and need uh 400,000 total for the study

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So now she needs that service.
• So now she needs that service.
• Floridians need relief. They need it now. They don't need it with this. Please vote no.
• And so we need to tax the rich.
• And so we need to tax the rich.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to reshore manufacturing we need to get rid of our agricultural deficit and we need to make sure that
• And I think we need to be... I think we do need to be thoughtful about this.
• We need to we need to be able to think about the best way to incentivize this.
• Well we need to assess again I think it I think it becomes country by country we have we have the baseline
• We'll need to adjust, sir.

Keywords: tariffs, Trump administration, economy, public testimony, trade policy, market access, export controls

Summary: The meeting focused on various significant topics concerning the recent tariff policies and their wide-ranging implications on the American economy. Members expressed their concerns regarding the negative impact of increased tariffs as proposed by the Trump administration, with specific emphasis on how families might suffer from higher costs and market access issues. The discussion was lively, with members questioning the clarity of the tariff plan and raising concerns about its potential effects on small businesses and American exports.

Transcript Highlights:

• If so, how will intent be assessed?
• It is necessary to study as a student of international law.
• I don't think I need to go over that again.
• Members, we do need to adopt the committee substitute.
• Having the Higher Education Coordinating Board conduct this study...

Bills: SB2972, SB1909, SB2815, SB735, SB2233, SB800, SB1069, SB2683, SB2986, SB2058, SB2310, SB2055, SB1032

Keywords: expressive activities, freedom of speech, public forum, higher education, protests, student rights, antisemitism, public institutions, disciplinary policy, student organizations, compliance, institutional policy, disciplinary sanctions, diploma designation, institution merger, academic records, student options, Holocaust education, Holocaust Remembrance Week, genocide education