Transcript Highlights:

• It is structured similar to a renter's credit, with the owner of the building providing a certificate
• The only one who would be able to submit the certificate, along with appropriate paperwork, to show their
• Our state has a growing shortage of child care slots, and the barriers to open new programs are plenty
• we wouldn't have had the capital Program we wouldn't have had the capital when<00:03:11.159> we
• <00:09:01.200> and start compensation support programs and start compensation support programs

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• of $3,696,000. $900,000 we get all the to support Texas Chronic Wasting Disease Herd Certification Program
• Difficulty is we are managing the certification program for CWD for the USDA and you basically have three
• the the herd certification program is unlike other herd certification programs that we deal with as
• federal program at USDA NRCS called the Watershed Rehabilitation Program.
• to our rural program.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that program um from 2000 to 2006. that program um from 2000 to 2006.
• programs.
• because we do have four programs, great. because we do have four programs, great.
• NQA1 certification anywhere in between. NQA1 certification anywhere in between.
• The SRF program is great.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in Bay County, and the Pompano, R-Y-Z-E program in Broward County.
• in addition to nursing education programs.
• in addition to nursing education programs.
• in addition to nursing education programs.
• or institutional health science education degree or certificate program.

Bills: S0086, S0554, S0760, S0774, S0778, S0844, S1022, S1230, S1246, S1594, S1630

Keywords: unauthorized aliens, commercial motor vehicles, safety regulations, civil penalties, law enforcement, nonprofit, corporation, Florida Nonprofit Corporation Act, membership, articles of incorporation, governance, pretrial release, bond conditions, violations of release conditions, violent crimes, victim safety, public safety, warrantless arrest, probable cause, pretrial detention

Summary: The Fiscal Policy Committee met and first reported favorably SB 774, which extends enhanced workers’ compensation benefits to 9-1-1 public safety telecommunicators for mental or nervous injuries, after adopting a late-filed amendment declaring an important state interest. The committee also heard supportive testimony from a Palm Beach County dispatcher. SB 770, which updates the definition of forensic clients so certain individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism can be housed with other Chapter 916 residents in secure forensic settings, was reported favorably as well. Members then approved CS/SB 86, which declares unauthorized operation of a commercial vehicle by an unauthorized alien an imminent safety hazard and imposes driver, carrier, and enforcement consequences, despite questions about vehicle impoundment and cargo handling and one appearance in opposition. SB 1594, which protects veterans’ benefits received on behalf of foster youth from being used as reimbursement and instead sets them aside for education and transition services, was reported favorably after supportive testimony. The committee also approved CS/SB 760, creating a new offense for willful violations of no-contact pretrial release conditions in certain violent crime cases, though the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers raised concerns about expanded warrantless arrest authority in one section. The committee next reported favorably CS/SB 554, a complete rewrite of Chapter 617 governing nonprofit corporations, after a technical delete-all amendment. It also approved CS/SB 844, requiring continuing education on sickle cell disease care for certain health care professionals; the bill drew extensive supportive testimony from advocates and patients describing pain management gaps and health disparities. SB 1022, expanding Florida Children’s Initiatives by adding programs in Bay County and Broward County, and CS/SB 1246, broadening the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund to include health science workforce programs and related uses, were both reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved CS/CS/SB 1230, which restricts the use, sale, and distribution of aqueous film-forming foam containing intentionally added PFAS and requires inventory and disposal reporting, after adopting amendments that removed airports from one provision. It also approved CS/CS/SB 128, directing DEP to erect markers for the Andrew Red Harris Spoil Island water body designation. Several senators requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on specific bills, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• and programs serving lower census levels than the maximum budget the program is projected to support
• If they land in a diversion program, that diversion program will be funded by the DSH program.
• It was a pilot program investment. I don't think it's a pilot program. It was investment.
• We’re requesting $2 million annually between fiscal years 2026–27 and 2029–30 for a program certification
• In statutes that govern our DHCS alcohol and drug program certification and our narcotic treatment program

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard updates from the Department of State Hospitals on its proposed 2026-27 budget, including a $3.2 billion total budget, patient-driven operating cost increases, savings in the IST solutions program, and progress in meeting the Stiavedi court-ordered 28-day treatment standard. DSH reported it has met court benchmarks, reduced the IST pending placement list from a pandemic high of 1,953 to about 250, and is now averaging about five days to initiate treatment. Members asked about the effects of Proposition 36 and SB 1323 on referrals, outside hospitalization costs, Medicare coverage, and whether IST solution funds were being overbudgeted; DSH said referrals are slightly down overall, outside medical costs are rising due to inflation and an aging population, and the IST savings reflect slower-than-expected activation of community programs rather than a service gap. The department also outlined proposed funding for electrical infrastructure upgrades at Napa and Patton, a feasibility study under SB 380 for transitional housing for the CONREP SVP program, and a dental services expansion at Metropolitan and Patton. The committee held those DSH items open after discussion. The Commission for Behavioral Health presented its role in overseeing the transition from MHSA to BHSA, including data, evaluation, transparency, grantmaking, and technical assistance. It described the new Innovation Partnership Fund, a statewide innovation grant program funded at up to $20 million annually for five years, with small and large grants, and said it had received strong interest ahead of the May 8 application deadline. Members asked about what qualifies as innovation, whether grants could be renewed, and how the state would ensure the program supports service delivery rather than general outreach or training. The commission also sought a liquidation deadline extension for up to $4.062 million in remaining Alcove Youth Drop-in Center funds so sites can finish implementation and Stanford can complete the final evaluation; that item was also held open. DHCS provided an overview of behavioral health policy changes under CalAIM and BH Connect, including peer support, mobile crisis, contingency management, traditional health care practices for tribal members, the access reform and outcomes incentive program, workforce investments, evidence-based practice expansion, IMD participation, transitional rent, and upcoming youth-focused guidance such as high-fidelity wraparound and activity funds. On BHSA implementation, DHCS said it is not tracking specific local program cuts, but is monitoring county plans and outcomes while noting that counties must still preserve Medi-Cal specialty mental health and DMC-ODS services. The department also discussed its H.R. 1 implementation strategy, including outreach, streamlined renewals, ex parte exemptions, and proposed clinic navigator and outreach funding to reduce Medi-Cal coverage loss, especially for people with behavioral health needs. In response to questions, DHCS said it has not produced a specific H.R. 1 impact estimate for county behavioral health populations, and later explained that counties can still use BHSA and other funding streams for prevention and early intervention while the state tracks impacts through integrated plans and new performance measures. The department also reported on BH-CHIP bond spending, saying it has awarded $5.8 billion for 437 infrastructure projects creating 546 new or expanded facilities and more than 9,553 residential beds, with tribal set-asides exceeding the original allotment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also broadcast 10,000 hours of children's programming on our Main HD channel.
• They were very supportive of the program, loved the program, and asked us to please continue that.
• Importantly, these funds are program-specific and time-limited.
• These funds are program-specific and time-limited.
• These funds are being used to support certification testing scholarships, leadership programs, and other

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But we rank dead last as a state when it comes to how we compensate the leaders of those programs.
• , not not just athletic programs to.
• So you support programs, not not just athletic programs to.
• Any went to Wellington High School, which has a very good program as a student as a coach.
• So and sports are the number one number one dropout prevention program.

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes items on projects subject to review and certificates of need exemptions.
• There is an administrative hearing procedure associated also with the health facilities and certificate
• There is another rule on Medicaid waiver programs, developmental disabilities, individual budgeting waiver
• So currently, the water management districts administer the consumptive use permitting program, which
• So they're beginning to think, what's this program, what's this development going to look like if we

Summary: The Joint Administrative Procedures Committee met on February 3, 2025, with a quorum present and took up three main items. First, the committee considered a large set of recommended objections to Agency for Health Care Administration rules, all centered on sunset provisions stating the rules would expire after five years. AHCA asked for another deferral while it reviewed the rules, arguing the sunset language was a form of self-restraint rather than an invalid exercise of rulemaking authority. Committee leadership disagreed that further delay would resolve the issue and moved to a single vote covering all objections. The motion passed by roll call, and the committee informed AHCA that an objection would be filed unless the agency amended the rules within 30 days. The committee then heard an informational briefing from the Department of Environmental Protection on its Outstanding Florida Springs rule and stormwater rule. DEP explained that it did not prepare a statement of estimated regulatory cost for the springs rule because the proposed standards largely mirror existing water management district rules and the Central Florida Water Initiative framework, so DEP said there was no new regulatory burden. Members asked about permit authority, costs, and whether the rules were functionally different from prior rules. DEP maintained the rules set minimum standards and did not add costs beyond what regulated parties were already doing. DEP also described implementation of the stormwater rule adopted under the 2020 Clean Waterways Act and later ratified by the Legislature in 2024. DEP said the rule was the product of years of workshops and technical advisory committee meetings, and that the final version included lower-cost alternatives, grandfathering, and phased implementation. DEP estimated the rule’s cost at about $2,600 per acre in the revised CERC, while industry witnesses said the real cost could be much higher, especially if land costs are included. A home builders representative argued the estimate understated impacts, while a stormwater engineer said the rule gives more flexible, performance-based tools and could become more cost-effective over time. Finally, Senator Graal presented proposed Chapter 120 changes in SB 108, aimed at tightening and modernizing rulemaking. The proposal would require five-year rule reviews, annual agency reporting, faster notice of proposed rulemaking after authorizing legislation, electronic filing, public access to incorporated materials, clearer tracking of technical changes, and limits on how long rules can remain pending ratification. Members discussed whether the Legislature should be more specific in statutes about rulemaking deadlines and whether agencies should be more accountable when rules stall. No formal action was taken on the Chapter 120 proposals, and the committee adjourned after discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• SURVIVORS OF DECEASED HOSPICE PATIENTS ARE EXPERIENCING DELAYS IN SECURING DEATH CERTIFICATES TO IMPORT
• OVER 50% OF DEATHS IN FLORIDA OCCUR IN THE SERVICE OF A HOSPICE PROGRAM AND THIS ALLOWS PHYSICIANS TO
• WE PROBABLY DON'T TALK ABOUT IT ENOUGH BUT WE HAD A PROBLEM THAT EXISTS WITH CERTIFICATIONS.
• ARE YOU COMFORTABLE THAT WHAT YOU ARE PUTTING IN PLACE WITH THE ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATION ALSO PUTS A
• COMFORTABLE AND I SUPPORT THE INTENT BUT BELIEVE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CAPITALIZATION INCENTIVE PROGRAMS

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of Public Advantage program.
• You'll see the fiscal and policy issue about the Certificate of Public Advantage Program or COPA Program
• Quite a few people that have already came through the career program, uh, certification program through
• We are increasing our volume by the high school programs and the trade school programs.
• We've implemented a program called Ask Kevin, and we bought an AI program off the shelf.

Transcript Highlights:

• and over 14,000 in graduate programs and over 14,000 in graduate level<00:01:39.240> programs
• We offer over 70 programs of study in the form of majors, minors, certificates, and concentrations, and
• <00:08:20.759> of students we offer over 70 programs of students we offer over 70 programs
• ><00:08:47.240> Arts<00:08:47.800> uh programs included education Lial Arts uh programs
• that program fund a a range of programs that program fund a a range of programs both<00:51:33.520

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• long-term funding for this program.
• long-term funding for this program.
• long-term funding for this program.
• long-term funding for this program.
• long-term funding for this program.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Education Policy Committee approved the minutes from January 21, 2025, and then heard testimony from several school superintendents about the financial and operational impact of recent education-related mandates. Chair Bennett framed the hearing as an opportunity to hear from districts about the effects of more than 65 new mandates and restrictions adopted in recent years. The first witnesses were Corey McIntyre of Anoka-Hennepin, Michael Thomas of Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools, and David Law of Minnetonka Public Schools. The superintendents said districts are facing rising costs, flat or declining enrollment, the end of federal pandemic aid, and mandates they described as unfunded or underfunded. McIntyre cited major budget cuts in Anoka-Hennepin, including reductions in central office staff, and said the district faces continuing shortfalls tied to special education, multilingual learner costs, unemployment claims, paid leave, transportation, literacy materials, and the K-3 discipline statute. Thomas said Prior Lake-Savage is balancing growing student needs against limited revenue, and argued that mandates such as REACT and other requirements should be delayed or better funded so districts can implement them with fidelity. Law said the concerns are statewide, not just metro-based, and criticized the accumulation of expectations around food service, mental health, sick and safe time, unemployment, and family leave without corresponding resources. Several witnesses emphasized that school budgets are heavily committed to staff costs and that new obligations create administrative burdens as well as direct expenses. They urged lawmakers to reduce, delay, or better fund mandates, adjust timelines, and provide more flexibility in local revenue tools and equalization aid. No votes were taken on legislation during this portion of the meeting beyond approval of the prior day’s minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• LEAs have to access non-public school certification status.
• A member of an IEP, partial IEP funded program in strong support.
• I've held board certifications in pediatrics, internal medicine and allergy immunology.
• When we passed SB 1266 in 2014, we led the nation creating a school-based program.
• However we're concerned with the eligibility of the program that is being created here.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our subcommittee spent many hours having detailed discussions on specific programs under our review.
• It fully funds Florida's $922.7 million KidCare program to serve approximately 213,000 children.
• serve 910 seniors in the Home Care for the Elderly program.
• It eliminates the Health Care Innovation Program within the Department of Health.
• It eliminates the revolving loan program, which represents...

Summary: The Health Care Budget Subcommittee began with a roll call confirming a quorum, then heard a presentation of the proposed health care budget. The chair said the overall health care budget would total $46.7 billion, a 2.1% decrease in total spending and a 3% increase in general revenue, while reducing 3,585 state FTE. He highlighted funding for Medicaid, KidCare, developmental disabilities services, opioid settlement spending, mental health facilities, senior services, school health nurses, veterans’ dental care, and veterans nursing home improvements. The chair also presented PCB HCB 25-01, a conforming bill that eliminates the Health Care Innovation Program, the Health Care Innovation Council, and the revolving loan program; makes changes to cancer research and graduate medical education provisions; and adjusts Medicaid rebate-related language. The conforming bill passed favorably after no questions, public testimony, or debate. The committee then considered CS/HB 47 on child care. The bill, as explained by Rep. McFarland, would reduce regulation for child care providers in good standing, speed background screening for child care workers, allow provisional hiring status in some cases, create license-exempt status for certain employer-provided child care facilities and DOD child care facilities, and remove outdated paperwork requirements such as the flu brochure. An amendment restored language protecting large family child care homes from being dropped by residential insurers and cleaned up statutory language; it was adopted. Members debated the bill at length, with supporters emphasizing common-sense deregulation and helping working parents, while some members raised concerns about safety, early learning quality, and the loss of informational reminders to parents. The bill was reported favorably. The subcommittee also heard HB 1553 on a uterine fibroid research database. Rep. Dunkley explained that the bill would require health care providers to submit identified fibroid data to DOH so it can be de-identified for a research database, after the department had been unable to use prior de-identified submissions reliably. An amendment removed the current appropriation and was adopted. Members spoke in strong support, noting the prevalence of fibroids and the value of better diagnosis and treatment data. The bill passed favorably. Finally, the committee heard HB 1529, which addresses the home health aide program for medically fragile children. Rep. Tremont said the bill would direct AHCA to seek a federal waiver so parents’ earnings from caring for their children would not count against Medicaid eligibility, and would revise training requirements and remove mandated annual program assessments. The bill drew supportive public testimony from home care stakeholders, had no debate, and was reported favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• budget, half of this number, $905 million, is dedicated to fully funding the Medicaid and KidCare programs
• , extended foster care, and maintenance adoption subsidy assistance program, $117 million to support
• million in additional funding for community care for the elderly and the home care for the elderly program
• , extended foster care, and maintenance adoption subsidy assistance program, $117 million to support
• Senator, this bill has a Sunshine Genetics Pilot Program.

Summary: The Health and Human Services Appropriations Committee met to review and advance the Senate’s fiscal year 2025-26 budget proposal for the committee’s portfolio. The presentation highlighted a $1.8 billion increase over the current base budget, including full funding for Medicaid and KidCare, investments in IT modernization, Medicaid provider rate increases, mental health and substance use services, opioid treatment, foster care and guardian assistance, elder care, veterans’ services, cancer research, school nurse staffing, and other public health initiatives. The committee adopted a motion allowing technical adjustments and then approved the budget proposal to be reported to the full Senate Appropriations Committee. The committee then heard and voted on several bills. SB 152 on surgical smoke protection required hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt smoke evacuation policies; nurses testified in support, citing workplace and patient safety risks, and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 958 on early detection of type 1 diabetes required the Department of Health to provide educational materials to schools and, by amendment, early learning coalitions; it was also reported favorably. CS/CS/SB 170 on nursing home oversight added consumer satisfaction surveys, reporting requirements, quality incentive changes, and financial reporting penalties, with an amendment exempting state-operated homes and directing a study of best practices; it passed after questions about dementia, language access, and retaliation protections. CS/SB 738 modernized child care regulation by streamlining DCF processes and reducing obsolete requirements, and was reported favorably without opposition. The committee also approved CS/SB 1356 creating the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at FSU and a Sunshine Genetics pilot to expand rare-disease screening and research, with support from members emphasizing early detection and data collection. SB 1370 separated ambulatory surgical centers into their own statute, with testimony that the change would better reflect the industry and help avoid burdensome regulation; it passed favorably. Finally, CS/CS/SB 1626 made a range of child welfare changes, including codifying DCF coordination with military installations, adjusting shelter certification, refining criminal-background exemptions, extending licensing compliance time, addressing room-and-board rate methodology, and clarifying missing-child procedures; after adopting three amendments and hearing both support and concerns, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also recorded a member’s affirmative vote on SB 958 before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• They already offer various programs and resources that could benefit these individuals.
• In the state of Alabama, you have to wait until age 19 to participate in that program.
• My concern is that we might backfill that program with...
• So, Donnie Wilder is working toward a skill certificate.
• , so they would do the traditional GED program.

Bills: HB266, SB85, SB166, HB266, SB85, SB166

Keywords: education, diploma, adult education, dropout prevention, nontraditional high school program, driver's license eligibility, vaccination exemption, religious exemption, medical exemption, vaccine mandate, testing requirement, public schools, K-12, students, parents, guardians, higher education, college enrollment, university attendance, public institutions of higher education

Transcript Highlights:

• That was the whole purpose the county program... program Aid and the demands put from the program Aid
• We have seen programs close.
• We have seen programs close.
• We have seen programs close.
• <01:25:47.159> uh<01:25:47.280> of programs uh of programs uh of 45<01:25:49.040> programs

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And to your Mental Health Programs.
• And so, I just I to an existing program.
• This program is important. Mental health is important. I think this program does a lot of good.
• pardon certificate was was legitimate. pardon certificate was was legitimate.
• fraud in public programs. fraud in public programs.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• program in the North Country, and if I know the proposed task force will research cosmetology program
• SNAP program. It's as simple as that. SNAP program. It's as simple as that.
• Speaker. program. But HR1 changed aspects of SNAP program.
• have two medicalos helicopter programs have two medicalos helicopter programs and<01:44:29.199><
• food choices, how to ensure program food choices, how to ensure program integrity,<02:18:42.080>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ensure that students are receiving the benefits. of a high-quality, purposeful physical education program
• We would also like to see that the certification in functional medicine by a licensed physician is from
• an accredited body, to clarify where that certification comes from. to ensure that the information is
• , a voluntary program that presents key nutritional information on the front of packaging, facilitating
• The Consumer Brands Association believes that changes to the school meals program should occur at the

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