Transcript Highlights:

• , our regenerative agriculture unit, and the new farm-to-family program.
• But investing in school nutrition programs and WIC programs. and encouraging and requiring the consumption
• It helps the sustainability of that program.
• Reporting Program.
• led to the creation of the Dairy Margin Coverage Program in the 2018.

Keywords: agriculture, avian flu, bipartisan farm bill, economic challenges, poultry, dairy, specialty crops

Summary: The committee meeting focused on crucial discussions surrounding the challenges faced by the agriculture sector, particularly concerning avian flu and its impact on poultry and dairy producers. Members provided insights into the economic struggles within the industry, emphasizing the need for a new bipartisan farm bill that addresses the diverse needs of specialty crop and livestock producers. Witnesses from various agricultural sectors spoke about their experiences, illustrating the high costs, regulatory burdens, and emerging diseases that threaten their operations. The meeting underscored a commitment to exploring solutions that will help maintain market stability and ensure food security.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our largest AS degree program is our nursing program. We graduated 316 nurses last year.
• , with the exception of limited access programs or teacher preparation programs.
• Our shortest program is four weeks in length. It is our commercial truck driving program. It has...
• Program is four weeks in length. It is our commercial truck driving program.
• Our longest program is 24 weeks in length, and that is the full welding program.

Summary: The subcommittee began with an informal “college day” exercise in which members described what careers and colleges they would choose if starting over, often citing factors such as program reputation, location, cost, graduation rates, employment outcomes, and family or personal interests. Members mentioned a range of possible paths including law, aviation, education, construction management, psychology, social work, criminal justice, nursing, intelligence studies, and the arts. Several also highlighted the value of historically Black colleges and universities, dual enrollment, and career/technical education. The chair used the exercise to frame the meeting’s broader focus on Florida’s higher education pathways and student outcomes. Dr. Kathleen Plinsky of Valencia College then gave an overview of the Florida College System and Valencia’s role in it, emphasizing Florida’s statewide articulation and transfer framework, open-access mission, affordability, and workforce alignment. She described Valencia’s record enrollment, high retention, large share of first-generation and working students, and partnerships such as Direct Connect to UCF, Osceola Prosper, and Open Door grants for short-term training. Members asked about guaranteed transfer, apprenticeships, enrollment trends, student demographics, out-of-state residency, county scholarship costs, dual enrollment outcomes, and barriers to expanding career dual enrollment. Dr. Plinsky said the system supports transfer and acceleration well, but funding constraints limit growth in some areas; she also noted that dual enrollment participation is high and that Valencia’s affordability and student support efforts have driven recent enrollment gains. Dr. Jim Clark of Florida State University followed with an overview of the State University System, describing its governance, performance-based funding, low tuition, and strong graduation and research outcomes. He highlighted FSU’s enrollment, research profile, transfer student success, FSU Health, the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, partnerships with K-12 schools and Tallahassee State College, and efforts to expand nursing and medical education to address workforce shortages. After the presentations, the committee heard from a panel on student acceleration and mobility: Shannon Mercer of the Department of Education explained the Office of Articulation, the statewide course numbering system, FASTER records, the 2+2 transfer model, specialized AA transfer degrees, and credit for industry certifications, military, medical, and law-enforcement training. Panelists from Kaiser University, Florida State University, and Pinellas County Schools described their institutions’ roles in transfer, advising, career pathways, apprenticeships, and dual enrollment. No formal votes or bills were taken up in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Franson, will give... that the programs continue um and that the programs continue um
• <00:24:57.240> um<00:24:57.760> these law our land programs um these law our land programs
• <00:32:13.000> program<00:32:13.399> is<00:32:13.559> a our small business loan
• program is a our small business loan program is a very<00:32:14.039> popular<00:32:14.760>
• Representative Gillman asked about the electric school bus program.

Bills: HF276, HF413, HF411

Keywords: human services, Medical Assistance, Medicaid, long-term services and supports, LTSS, public assistance, application process, eligibility determination, customer service survey, wait times, form complexity, lead agencies, Department of Human Services, Department of Children Youth and Families, streamlining, administrative reform, case management, reassessment, intake system, adaptive eligibility form

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the enhanced standard deduction and then the removal of tax on qualified car interest loans.
• And the main highlights here is fiscal year 25 for the state revenue programs ended on.
• There's moderate growth across some of the revenue programs.
• And probably credits should not be created in tax programs with monthly filing like the gross.
• So any tax program, and again, there's about 40 tax programs that we administer.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , Early Intervention Program.
• Families at all income levels are facing student loans.
• It's by program what we've been Spending since 2012.
• Those programs that pay more than that how are they participating or how do they participate in the program
• Infants don't benefit from programs.

Bills: SB2

Keywords: SB 2, State Highway Project Bonds, highway funding, transportation bonds, state road fund, motor vehicle fees, vehicle registration fees, electric vehicle fee, EV surcharge, plug-in hybrid fee, weight distance tax, road construction, infrastructure financing, Department of Transportation, State Transportation Commission, bonding authority, county road funds, municipal road funds, transportation improvement program, state highways

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the senior deputy director for the Disaster Recovery Programs at the Land Office.
• that has used de-obligated funds not utilized for their original purpose in a second-chance program
• Without these second-chance programs, more than $229 million would have expired and been returned to
• Without these second-chance programs, more than $229 million would have expired and been returned to
• After the bonding program is completed.

Summary: The committee heard testimony first from the Texas General Land Office and School Land Board. GLO officials described the agency’s role in managing more than 13 million acres of state lands and mineral interests for the Permanent School Fund, overseeing the Alamo, coastal programs, veterans’ services, and federal disaster recovery. They said the agency has generated about $6 billion for the Permanent School Fund since Commissioner Buckingham took office, and that its disaster recovery portfolio is about $14 billion across multiple events, with more than 22,000 housing units rebuilt or reconstructed since Hurricane Harvey. Members asked about land purchases such as Brewster Ranch, rare earth mineral leasing, SpaceX-related beach access, and whether the lands are public access lands; GLO staff said the holdings are managed to maximize revenue for education, that most land is leased rather than open to public access, and that they are coordinating on coastal access and compliance. On the School Land Board, members sought clarification on the difference between GLO-managed lands and the Permanent School Fund Corporation’s investment role, and staff explained that GLO generates the revenue while the separate corporation invests it. No votes or formal actions were taken. The Board for Lease of University Lands then testified. University Lands officials explained that they steward 2.1 million acres of surface and mineral interests in West Texas for the Permanent University Fund, which supports UT and Texas A&M institutions. They said a 2025 lease sale produced about $50 million in bonus revenue from 28,000 acres, and described the Board for Lease’s role in approving lease forms, lease sales, and development agreements. Members asked about the size and use of the PUF, how distributions work through UTIMCO, whether PUF money can be used for athletics, and how the land is managed; the witness said the fund is a constitutional endowment, the land is largely leased rather than sold, and distributions are generally used for buildings, labs, and other permanent structures, with some institutions also using a portion for operations. No votes or formal actions were taken. The committee then took up municipal utility districts. Testimony from a law firm, the Texas Municipal League, Fort Bend County Commissioner Vincent Morales, and Johnson Development largely supported MUDs as a financing tool for infrastructure tied to growth. Witnesses said MUDs help fund water, sewer, drainage, roads, parks, and related infrastructure, allowing development to proceed without shifting costs to existing taxpayers and helping keep housing affordable. They emphasized that MUDs are created with disclosure to homebuyers, are subject to the Open Meetings Act and Public Information Act, and are overseen by TCEQ for bond issuance and related financial stress tests. Members questioned whether MUDs are taxing entities, whether they can be created inside city limits or ETJs, how much control cities and counties retain, and whether MUDs are becoming permanent local governments; witnesses acknowledged they levy taxes and debt, can exist within city limits with city consent, and often function as long-term local entities. The committee did not take any formal action during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, like, it's usually going to be those little small communities that get their grant money and loans
• So, like, it's usually going to be those little small communities that get their grant money and loans
• So, like, it's usually going to be those little small communities that get their grant money and loans

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will pursue more and greater program alignment.
• How are those programs actually delivering?
• Like, what other programs should we be contemplating?
• Program integration and effectiveness would be even greater if these homelessness programs were formally
• to make best use of federal housing program Royce. programs specifically to make best use of federal

Summary: The joint hearing focused on the Governor’s 2025 reorganization plan to split the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency into two new agencies: a Business and Consumer Services Agency and a California Housing and Homelessness Agency. Administration officials said the change would give each side more focused leadership, improve consumer protection and regulatory oversight, and better align housing and homelessness policy with the state’s broader housing goals. Leaders from the Department of Consumer Affairs, Cannabis Control, Alcoholic Beverage Control, and Financial Protection and Innovation all voiced support for the business-side reorganization, while housing officials emphasized that the new housing agency would help streamline funding, compliance, and coordination across programs. Members raised concerns about timing, budget impacts, office space, and whether the split would actually reduce bureaucracy. The administration said the plan would be included in the May Revision, was intended to be cost-neutral, and would not require fee increases for licensees or additional office space. On the housing side, officials said the new Housing Development and Finance Committee would work toward a single application and more coordinated award process for affordable housing funding, while preserving CalHFA’s statutory and financial independence. They also said the reorganization would improve compliance monitoring, data collection, and coordination with local governments, including Los Angeles homelessness programs. Public testimony was largely supportive. Industry groups representing beverage distributors, craft brewers, wine, mortgage lenders, and housing organizations backed the business-side split, and housing advocates such as Housing California, the California Housing Partnership, and the California Housing Consortium supported the housing agency concept and the proposed one-stop-shop approach. Several witnesses urged that tax credits, bonds, and other funding sources be better coordinated, and some said the plan should be paired with additional state investment and implementation resources. No formal vote was taken; the hearing was informational.

Transcript Highlights:

• These programs all work together.
• The program supported 188 educators in FY25.
• program?
• Great programs. Great comments.
• These are voluntary programs.

Bills: SB2

Transcript Highlights:

• the program. the program.
• Uh, this takes the rental housing revolving loan program within the VHFA portfolio, and it was created
• This change allows a developer to access both this program, the revolving loan program, but also low-income
• ,<01:52:56.680> the<01:52:56.800> revolving<01:52:57.240> loan this program,
• the revolving loan this program, the revolving loan program,<01:52:58.320> but<01:52:58.560><

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill also creates the Florida arterial road monetization program within FDOT to provide capacity
• This bill also creates the Florida arterial road monetization program within FDOT to provide capacity
• SHIP program.
• and the small county rural assistance program.
• and the small county rural assistance program.

Summary: The Commerce Committee met with a quorum and heard three bills. First, CS/HB 515 on the Uniform Commercial Code was presented as a Florida Bar-backed update creating a new chapter to address digital assets and ledger technologies, including rules for perfection of security interests and lien priorities involving items such as Bitcoin. The bill drew support from the Florida Bar’s business law section and the Florida Bankers Association, had no amendments or opposition, and was reported favorably after a unanimous roll call. The committee then heard HB 1427 on rural communities, a broad package creating an Office of Rural Prosperity, a rural resource directory, a Renaissance grant program, a rural arterial road monetization program, housing and school support measures, and new health care grant programs for telehealth, staffing, training, and mobile units. Sponsors and many local officials, economic development groups, chambers, utilities, and other organizations testified in strong support, emphasizing infrastructure, workforce, housing, and health care needs in rural Florida. Members from both parties praised the bill’s focus on rural counties, and it was reported favorably. Finally, HB 299 on elevator accessibility requirements would allow an additional shorter interior support well in elevators while keeping the existing 42-inch support well requirement, with the goal of improving accessibility and flexibility for building owners. The National Elevator Industry supported the measure, there was no opposition or amendment, and the bill passed unanimously. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Automated savings programs are...
• is a voluntary program.
• It is a portable state IRA program, and workers may take it from job... to job.
• This bill creates the Alabama Retirement Savings Program, and it's a...
• We've also got a lot of different programs...

Bills: SB163, SB173, SB155, HB93, SB163, SB173, SB155, HB93

Keywords: State Auditor, property investigations, negligence, loss report, civil actions, Alabama Retirement Savings Program, state-facilitated retirement savings, auto-IRA, automatic enrollment, payroll deduction IRA, retirement savings access gap, private sector workers, small business retirement plan, portable retirement account, Roth IRA, traditional IRA, life-cycle fund, capital preservation fund, financial literacy, Department of Workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• program, the Minnesota Civic Fund.
• Just a few words about our PCR program.
• I will also note that Seattle's program...
• details of a public financing program details of a public financing program are<00:24:29.440>
• <01:02:35.760> Etc or streaming operator program Etc or streaming operator program Etc website

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• such as a Head Start program or licensed child care program.
• <00:26:00.360> happening there's more than one program happening there's more than one program
• those Learning Program programs most of those Learning Program programs most of those projects<00
• Here's the history of the program.
• here's the history of the program here's the history of the program<00:32:38.519> I<00:32:38.600

Bills: HF919, HF1192, HF212, HF214

Keywords: wastewater, infrastructure, funding, Litchfield, economic development, environmental compliance, Hastings, water treatment, PFAS, nitrates, bonds, capital investment, public health, HF212, Round Lake-Brewster, Independent School District No. 2907, school construction, school building, sales tax exemption, use tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• Survivors were forced to take out credit or loans in their names, but from which they never benefited
• <00:43:16.000> in<00:43:16.119> their to take out credit or loans in their to take
• out credit or loans in their names<00:43:16.880> but<00:43:17.119> from<00:43:17.400>
• but if we're going to welfare program but if we're going to have<01:04:57.480> it<01:04:57.960
• thank you Mr other rid of the program thank you Mr other members<01:05:11.680> questions<01:05

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• providing for membership of district attorneys' plans, expanding participation in the supernumerary program
• ERS) and have separate years of service for that, and then also are vested under the supernumerary program
• The state treasurer may loan the digital assets acquired as an investment under this section to bring

Bills: HB227, HB556, HB543, HB542, HB482, HB483, HB484

Keywords: firefighter benefits, occupational disease, line of duty, disability pension, death benefits, retirement benefits, hypertension, heart disease, respiratory disease, cancer presumption, HIV, hepatitis, municipal firefighters, state firefighters, fire districts, workers' compensation, public safety employees, post-retirement benefits, benefit eligibility cutoff, occupational illness

Transcript Highlights:

• Purchases—the USDA canceled the program.
• And then, of course, the Tribal Energy Loan Guarantee Program was eliminated in HR 1 as well.
• And then, of course, the Tribal Energy Loan Guarantee Program was eliminated in HR 1 as well.
• Any lending program.
• The Johnson O'Malley program is a funded program that helps provide education for our students and the

Transcript Highlights:

• contemplate enforcement of federal civil immigration law, and will any of the equipment be shared or loaned
• or jointly operated with or loaned or jointly operated with federal<00:11:21.680> agencies.
• or that programming, and you know, I'm always the wet blanket on the call who says something like, [
• And those answers are always related to programming that while the facility is not a cheap facility,
• stakeholders and the and the programming stakeholders and the and the programming people<00:32:20.240

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on January 23, 2026, approved the December 19, 2025 minutes, and adopted the remaining items on the consent calendar after noting several withdrawals. The committee then took up Department of Safety item FIS 26007, which involved Homeland Security/FEMA grant funding for equipment and UAS-related activities. Senators asked whether any of the funding would support federal civil immigration enforcement or shared operations with federal agencies, and about privacy protections for drone data. The department said the grant is governed by federal parameters, that the state uses the remaining 20 percent after federally directed uses, and that privacy law in this area is evolving. The item was adopted on an 8-2 vote. The committee next considered Department of Environmental Services item 26003, which had been withdrawn by the Senate. A senator said concerns about using the funds for a different project had been resolved after speaking with the commissioner, and the item was adopted without further debate. The committee then moved to Department of Health and Human Services item 260005, a request for about $700,000 in remaining ARPA-related funds for the Hampstead children’s facility project. Commissioners explained that the project had been funded in stages because the original appropriation was based on estimates and bid assumptions, and that the remaining money would cover alternates and finish the project without using general funds. Senators raised concerns about repeated requests for additional money, the adequacy of security, site-selection costs, and why the project had not been fully funded at the outset. The department said the project had been intentionally structured to proceed in phases and that required security would be provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a LIHEAP program, which seems to cover kind of the purpose of this proposal.
• We have Senator Boswell. program, I think we would should figure program, I think we would should figure
• How can they get training where they can get a small business loan, become the business owner?
• How can they get training where they can get a small business loan, become the business owner?
• How can they get training where they can get a small business loan, become the business owner?

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:01:12 Approval of Minutes 00:02:25 Co-Chair & Member Comments 00:02:48 Discussion of 2025 SB 137 00:06:58 Outdoor Adventure Tourism Opportunities 00:41:56 Public Service Commission Update 01:21:37, 958, all

Summary: The committee meeting began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and approval of the prior minutes. Members also observed a moment of reflection for Charlie Kirk and offered condolences to Representative Bobby McCool on the death of his mother. Representative Fugate then made announcements about the ongoing ATV/UTV trail system, including an October 21 opening in Letcher County and an October 2 groundbreaking in Knott County, and staff was asked to circulate the dates to members. The main agenda item was Senate Bill 137, presented by Senator Cassie Chambers Armstrong with testimony from George Ecklan of the Coalition of the Homeless and Wesley Bryant, a flood survivor and Eastern Kentucky resident. The bill would prohibit utility disconnections for non-payment during dangerous weather and emergencies, including extreme cold, excessive heat, and declared natural disasters. Supporters said the measure is narrow, does not forgive past-due balances or change reconnection policies, and is intended to protect vulnerable residents, reduce risks to first responders, and create a minimum statewide standard amid a patchwork of utility policies. They cited weather thresholds and historical examples of extreme weather and disaster declarations in Kentucky. Testimony emphasized the human impact of shutoffs, especially for low-income households, older adults, and families facing illness or disaster recovery. Bryant described experiences with people shivering without heat or struggling to keep children cool when power was cut off, calling electricity a lifeline rather than a luxury. Representative Gu raised concerns that utility bills have become unaffordable due to broader policy and rate issues, argued that some customers may not pay if shutoffs are prohibited, and questioned whether the bill was needed. Senator Chambers Armstrong responded that the proposal is limited to non-payment shutoffs during short periods of dangerous conditions and is meant to keep people safe during emergencies. No vote or final action on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Bill 286, by Assembly Members Storey, Fawcett, etc., provides for a pilot program to assess
• This program affects approximately 250,000 students around the state and over 400 schools.
• This program affects approximately 250,000 students around the state and over 400 schools.
• and has another DUI while they’re in that program.
• It's time to fully fund this program.

Keywords: 909, all