Transcript Highlights:

• Coached many varsity sports programs for boys, girls soccer, hockey, and basketball. Seriously?
• </c><00:16:49.000><c> for</c> Coached many varsity sports programs for Coached many varsity sports programs
• Danny has transformed the page program into an educational experience.
• Member from Bradford. >> Madam Speaker, um, happy Nurses Week.
• American Nurses Association, Vermont nurses are here today participating in a national report for duty

Transcript Highlights:

• Employers must read a 145-page user program.
• House Bill 121, a bill to be entitled an act relating to nursing education programs.
• Members, Florida currently has a nursing shortage which is predicted to grow to 56,380 nurses by 2037
• The legislation... 56,380 nurses by 2037.
• House Bill 121, a bill to be entitled an act relating to nursing education programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• initiatives—these pilot programs, the informal care pilot program.
• My wife's a nurse, a home health care nurse, and I also own an assisted living home.
• Different with the program.
• From the BEAD program to nearly every county minus one through that program.
• Of the BEAD program, that's a $675 million program.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately, it didn't include nurses who are currently in nursing school.
• Unfortunately, it didn't include nurses who are currently in nursing school.
• Members, today we have students from the Cambridge program.
• This bill does not create new funding programs.
• This bill does not create new funding programs.

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer, pledge, and several introductions recognizing visitors, students, local officials, and professional groups in the gallery. The chamber then took up a report from the Ethics and Elections Committee confirming 42 executive appointments; the report was adopted by a vote of 36-0. The Senate also adopted a resolution honoring the Ripple Project for childhood cancer awareness and funding. The bulk of the meeting was spent on special-order bills, many of them open-government sunset review measures and policy bills. The Senate passed bills preserving or updating public records exemptions for aquaculture records, trade secrets, and cybersecurity information; a child-abuse reporting statute of limitations bill; a commercial driving schools bill; a human trafficking training requirement for nursing graduates; a new injunction for protection against serious violence by a known person and its companion public-records bill; a nature-based coastal resiliency bill with an amendment restricting dredge-and-fill in Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve; a chiropractic patient-funds bill; specialty license plate legislation; a one-time waiver for late financial disclosure fines; public school personnel compensation changes; the Florida Farm Bill with amendments protecting Everglades lands and technical corrections; homestead exemption clarification for long-term leaseholders; disability presumption clarifications for firefighters and law enforcement; reinsurance intermediary manager conformity changes; patriotic displays in public schools; ADS-B aviation fee restrictions; autism-related law enforcement training and a blue envelope program; public post-secondary safety policy requirements; and a bill allowing licensed agents to market health care sharing ministries. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including local vessel restrictions, temporary certificates for practice, and domestic animals. Members debated a number of measures, especially the health care sharing ministries bill, where opponents raised consumer-protection and commission concerns and supporters argued for free speech, religious liberty, and expanded consumer choice; it passed 32-5. Other debated bills included the autism law enforcement bill, the school athletics bill addressing coach support for student-athletes, and the Farm Bill, where senators discussed surplus land safeguards and biosolids timing. Most bills passed overwhelmingly, often 37-0 or 38-0, with a few closer votes such as the patriotic displays bill (36-2) and the health care sharing ministries bill (32-5).

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> there there's issues within that program there there's issues within that program that<00:04:27.280
• Uh, but we still have some work to do within that program.
• Do we want to put Minnesota nursing facilities first?
• Minnesota doesn't have an infinite pot of money that we can reach into and pay for that program.
• Do we want to put Minnesota nursing facilities first?

Transcript Highlights:

• As many of you know, Special Olympics programs across California provide year-round sports training and
• I want to recognize a few of the people that make this program so special.
• Jamie Mercado, who's a registered nurse in pediatric oncology at Sutter Health, and Kerry Stewart, also
• an oncology nurse at Sutter Health as well.
• an oncology nurse at Sutter Health as well.

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call and brief procedural business, including approval of the prior day’s journal, suspension of certain rules for guest introductions, and moving AB 568 to the inactive file. The chamber then recognized several visiting groups, including a fourth-grade class from Marigold Elementary School, representatives of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses and its Royal Court, and students from the University of California Students Association on lobby day. The main floor actions centered on two resolutions. ACR 147 by Assembly Member Lackey designated March 9, 2026 as California Special Olympics Day. Members from both parties spoke in strong support, sharing personal connections to Special Olympics and praising its impact on athletes, families, and volunteers. The resolution received 70 co-authors and was adopted by voice vote. H.R. 89 by Assembly Member Patterson declared March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Speakers emphasized rising colorectal cancer rates among younger adults, the importance of screening, and new testing options including blood tests. The resolution also received 70 co-authors and was adopted by voice vote. After the resolutions, Assembly Member Rodriguez offered an adjournment in memory of Bob Yuloa of Chino, a Navy veteran and longtime community servant. The Assembly then announced upcoming committee and floor session dates and adjourned until Thursday, March 12 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• SNAP and food security programs can be improved to allow for reduced SNAP program error rates and increased
• New Mexico has many food... programs to combat hunger, but these programs are currently not tracking
• . provide food programs.
• The Federal Rural Program does not replace the State Rural Program. I hope that helps.
• Increase funding for health professional loan repayment programs—that's for physicians, for nurses, for

Transcript Highlights:

• He received a $530,000 grant from a program funded by the USDA.
• He received a $530,000 grant from a program funded by the USDA.
• He received a $530,000 grant from a program funded by the USDA.
• </c><00:08:59.800><c> that</c> business management program that business management program that provides
• Well, we created a program just this last session.

Transcript Highlights:

• How about a little program to help people do something?
• But I don’t think we should cut nursing homes or, in a damaging way, cut the disability funding and make
• don't think we priorities but um I don't think we should<00:09:26.839><c> cut</c><00:09:27.000><c> nursing
• homes or in a should cut nursing homes or in a damaging<00:09:30.160><c> way</c><00:09:30.600><c> cut
• :48.040><c> disability</c> what's happening in the disability what's happening in the disability programs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:13:51.639><c> in</c> auto theft prevention grant program in auto theft prevention grant program
• </c><00:47:56.119><c> while</c> maintaining successful programs while maintaining successful programs
• </c> as greater demand for those programs as greater demand for those programs again<00:54:47.799><c>
• </c> more next updating Workforce program more next updating Workforce program outcomes<00:54:58.280>
• </c> credentials under the workforce programs credentials under the workforce programs outcome<00:55:

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also specifies that the prohibition does not apply to the livestock loss program administered
• Chair and members, House Bill 255 establishes the Brackish Groundwater Recovery Program Fund.
• The bill also requires the... ...establishes the Brackish Groundwater Recovery Program Fund.
• Yeah, she's not Carol, I'm a nurse, I get to the point. Hopefully quicker. Much.
• data makes my nurse heart happy, and with that I vote aye.

Bills: HB2014 , HB2055 , HB2145 , HB2150 , HB2696 , HB2755 , HB2763 , HB2781 , HB2782 , HB2787 , HB2795 , HB2889 , HB2975 , HB2985 , HB2986 , HCM2009 , HCR2020 , HCR2038

Committees: Senate Natural Resources , Senate Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference

Keywords: air emissions, fuel blends, environmental quality, feasibility study, Arizona Department of Agriculture, brackish groundwater, water supply development, desalination, Arizona Revised Statutes, water infrastructure, financial assistance, environmental reviews, fuel reformulation, gasoline standards, environmental regulations, ethanol supply, Air Quality, state land department, mineral lease, renewals

Transcript Highlights:

• I am also here on behalf of the Nursing Legislative Agenda Coalition.
• As a result, we see them getting left in our programs.
• And then our after-school program. Program, probably about 120 total. OK, very good.
• They weren't aware of a non-public program. And so.
• So you're changing the way they can manage the program.

Bills: SB205 , SB582 , SB625 , SB1884 , SB1903 , SB2600 , SB2617 , SB2751 , SB111 , SB3061 , SB1908

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, this amendment uh cash flows the EGI fund if necessary from the school foundation program reserve
• Uh, this amendment uh cash flows the EGI fund if necessary from the school foundation program reserve
• that school districts uh programs that school districts uh participate<00:15:29.440><c> at</c><00:15
• </c><00:15:51.839><c> to</c> to establish a grant program to to establish a grant program to reimburse
• This $20 million will be a programs.

Bills: HB0150

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I rise today to recognize nurse Heather Daniels, a perinatal services nurse at Liberty Regional
• Speaker, I rise today to recognize nurse Heather Daniels, a perinatal services nurse at Liberty Regional
• :32.000><c> to</c> These aren't government programs to These aren't government programs to them.<00:17
• </c> our anti-hunger programs and end hunger. our anti-hunger programs and end hunger.
• registered nurse credential, and critical care registered nurse certifications.

Bills: HB4327 , HCR68 , HJR140 , HB6945 , HR1009

Keywords: home sales, tax exemption, real estate, capital gains, personal residence, military intervention, Venezuela, Congress, war powers, foreign policy, federal lands, Bureau of Land Management, land withdrawal, Minnesota, congressional disapproval, pregnancy centers, support services, social security, family support, maternity care

Transcript Highlights:

• We need more graduates with programs that meet the needs of the state.
• that are meet the needs of uh programs that are meet the needs of the<00:09:50.959><c> state.
• </c><00:15:50.000><c> If</c> continue your program as you see fit.
• If continue your program as you see fit.
• &gt;&gt; that social worker nurses were not going &gt;&gt; that social worker nurses were not going to

Bills: HB245 , HB138 , HB151 , HB152 , HB245 , HB138 , HB151 , HB152

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: inhalants, controlled substances, butyl nitrite, nitrous oxide, amyl nitrite, health, public safety, pregnancy, pregnant defendant, incarceration, jail intake, pregnancy test, bail, pre-incarceration probation, supervised probation, electronic monitoring, electronic supervision, perinatal care, prenatal care, maternal health

Transcript Highlights:

• While going through nursing school, she was avid in Concordia's music program throughout her undergraduate
• Graduated with a 4.0 when she got her master's in nursing education.
• Additionally, NDMEA has been working with ESPB to create a music-specific mentorship program.
• We are currently in our second year of running this program and are hoping to expand the support from
• We are currently in our second year of running this program, and are hoping to expand the support from

Committee: House Education

Summary: The meeting began with a student performance from Horizon Middle School Show Choir, including songs from an eighth grade concert and the show choir piece “The Body Electric.” After the performance, Deputy Superintendent Donna Fishbeck spoke on behalf of State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler in support of music education, emphasizing its benefits for creativity, collaboration, school climate, and student development, and noting the department’s support for music grants and professional development. She also highlighted the North Dakota Music Educators Association’s role in expanding access and quality in music education. The committee then heard a presentation from Vital Network, introduced as a DPI-funded effort focused on teacher retention. Nate Eklund and Dr. Aaron Rob described the organization’s work with schools and districts to reduce educator burnout by improving workplace conditions, especially around time management, voice in decision-making, and care/support. They said the program uses surveys, dashboards, advisory support, and facilitated school and district processes to identify local friction points and help educators and leaders solve them, with examples ranging from simplifying material requests to improving PLC time and communication. They stressed that retention is driven more by workplace conditions than pay alone, and that solutions must be local rather than one-size-fits-all. Members asked about rural teacher overload, sustainability after grant funding ends, and whether the model could inform broader policy or continuing education reforms. Vital representatives said the work is designed to be embedded in district systems and strategic plans so it can continue beyond their direct involvement, and that the approach aligns with the state’s teacher retention and recruitment task force recommendations. They reported serving about half of North Dakota educators across roughly 50 districts, with partnerships through regional education associations to reach rural areas. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• She asked them, and it was a brand new doctor and a traveling nurse.
• They're suffering from a shortage of both doctors, nurses, and professional medical personnel.
• Two years ago this month, Taylor was run at a red light, rushed to the closest hospital where nurses
• When she was finally rushed for CT scanning stat, several hours after the nurses had been notified of
• I'm a registered nurse.

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Committee on Rules met with a quorum and heard extensive debate on SB 734, which would repeal Florida’s wrongful-death medical malpractice exception that bars certain adult children and parents from recovering noneconomic damages. Senator Yarborough presented the bill as a fairness and accountability measure, while many family members testified in support, describing deaths they believed were caused by medical negligence and arguing the current law denies equal justice. Opponents, including physician and insurer representatives, warned the bill could increase malpractice exposure, premiums, defensive medicine, and physician shortages. The committee also considered two late-filed amendments: Senator Burton’s amendment would make Department of Health investigative findings admissible in court, and Senator Martin’s amendment to that amendment would broaden admissibility/discoverability to additional disciplinary and prior-adverse-incident records and insurance coverage facts. After debate, the Martin amendment was adopted, but the Burton amendment as amended failed on a roll call vote. The committee then reported SB 734 favorably without the amendment. The committee next unanimously reported CS for SB 86 favorably. That bill, by Senator Burgess, expands peer support protections for first responders to include support personnel; there was little debate and several law-enforcement-related organizations indicated support. The committee also took up SB 316 on series limited liability companies. Senator Berman explained that the bill creates rules for series LLCs in Florida, and a late-filed amendment, requested by the Secretary of State, delayed implementation by one year. The amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered CS for CS for SB 384, which requires municipalities seeking to annex state-owned land to notify the relevant county legislative delegation when the first public hearing is advertised. Senator Burton presented the bill briefly, there was no opposition or debate, and the committee proceeded to vote on the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• This program has been This program has been an incredible experience; however, this journey has also
• Our RISE program is a first-of-its-kind high-dosage tutoring program aimed at improving early literacy
• Our My First Place program is a housing-first wraparound program tailored to supporting 18- to 22-year-olds
• And that includes the tuition and fee waiver program.
• Students are already getting tuition and textbook stipends through the MassReconnect program and programs

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The Joint Committee on Higher Education heard testimony on a broad set of bills focused on making public higher education more affordable and accessible, protecting student information, and changing social work licensure rules. Chair Rogers and Senator Comerford opened by emphasizing the committee’s focus on financial aid, tuition and fee waivers, scholarships, admissions, and institutional changes, and they reminded witnesses about the three-minute testimony limit. No votes were taken during the hearing. A large portion of the hearing centered on the “Super Act” (H. 1423/S. 218), which would eliminate the master’s-level social work licensing exam and create grant support for social work internships. Supporters—including students, practitioners, educators, and advocates—argued that unpaid internships and the exam create financial barriers, worsen workforce shortages, and disproportionately affect Black, brown, older, ESL, and other marginalized candidates. Opponents from the Association of Social Work Boards argued the exam is a necessary public-protection standard, helps maintain uniform licensure, and is important to the social work licensure compact; they said workforce shortages should be addressed through pay, working conditions, and caseloads instead. Committee members asked detailed questions about compact participation, exam accommodations, and how other states such as Rhode Island and Connecticut have handled similar changes. The committee also heard extensive testimony in favor of debt-free public higher education bills (H. 1436/S. 929). Witnesses, including students, faculty, advocates, and Senator Eldridge, said Massachusetts should expand on free community college by covering tuition and mandatory fees at public colleges and universities, with additional aid for living costs for lower-income students. Supporters said student debt delays homeownership, family formation, and career entry, and that the state should use Fair Share revenue to invest in public higher education. Some committee members voiced support but also raised concerns about prioritizing K-12 funding and the cost of expanding free college further. Several witnesses also supported bills to extend tuition and fee waivers to young adults raised by grandparents or other kinship guardians outside the DCF system, arguing that these students face the same trauma and financial barriers as foster youth but do not receive the same benefits. Representative Donato, Joseph O’Leary, Shauna Manning, Sandra Vecchio, Karen Gardner, Judy Walter, Elaine Arsenault, and others described the financial strain on grandparents raising grandchildren and urged parity with DCF-related waivers. In addition, Senator Jake Oliveira testified for a bill to protect public higher education student directory information from data mining and unauthorized sharing, and Deirdre Cummings testified for an open educational resources bill to reduce textbook costs. The hearing concluded with continued testimony on kinship care and college access, with committee members thanking witnesses and indicating follow-up on some bill language issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• school, my mother sent me with a three-inch binder full of instructions for my teacher and school nurse
• And if there was even a single nurse, a single administrator at the front desk, you know, who was not
• Child care programs for infants and young children, whose immune systems are still developing and who
• Practices get direct bonuses and enhanced reimbursement rates from insurers and programs, often based
• Practices get direct bonuses and enhanced reimbursement rates from insurers and programs, often based

Bills: HB2086 , HB2248 , HB2688

Committees: House Regulatory Oversight , House House Regulatory Oversight Committee of Reference

Keywords: vaccination mandates, mask requirements, public health, government entities, COVID-19, medical freedom, healthcare mandates, employment requirements, government regulation, vacant positions, state budget, government efficiency, employment, full-time equivalent positions

Transcript Highlights:

• mological program.
• mological program.
• mological program.
• mological program.
• mological program.

Summary: The committee first considered an amendment to add a new “Lakes” license plate to HB 2, with proceeds directed to the cyanobacteria fund for lake cleanup. Representative McGuire said the bill had already passed on consent and asked that it be included in HB 2; members discussed that it had also gone to the Senate. The motion to adopt the amendment failed on a 7-8 vote. The committee then took up an amendment imposing a 5% administrative fee on certain dedicated funds, with several exemptions for funds that could not legally or appropriately be charged, such as those involving federal money or bequests. Supporters said it would make the treatment of dedicated funds more consistent and raise roughly $31 million over the biennium for the general fund, while opponents questioned the number of carve-outs and who currently pays the administrative costs. The amendment failed on a 4-5 vote. Next, the committee reconsidered and then adopted an amendment changing the distribution of business profits tax and business enterprise tax revenue, reducing the share going to the Education Trust Fund from 41% to 30% and increasing the General Fund share. Supporters argued the Senate had overfunded the Education Trust Fund and that the change would help balance the budget without changing education spending levels; opponents said they could not support taking money from the Education Trust Fund. The amendment passed 5-3. The committee also adopted, by the same 5-3 margin, an amendment incorporating HB 741 language on open enrollment and student attendance in public schools, with supporters calling it House policy and opponents noting it had been a close, partly partisan vote in the House. Finally, the committee considered a change to the University System of New Hampshire budget that would reduce general fund appropriations by $40 million per year, offset in part by $15 million in previously approved unique dollars for a net reduction of $25 million per year. Supporters said the cut was necessary to balance the budget and that other options had been exhausted; opponents called it harmful to the university system and argued the committee should instead look to other areas, including education freedom accounts, for savings. The discussion continued, but the transcript excerpt ends before a final vote on the UNH item.