Transcript Highlights:

• treatment programs.
• We will deliver programs like FFT. We will deliver programs for family counseling as well.
• We opened a program in St.
• We opened a program in St.
• programs: the Franklin Covey 7 Habits on the Inside program.

Summary: The Justice Budget Committee heard detailed presentations from the Department of Juvenile Justice and the Department of Corrections on staffing, services, and budget needs. DJJ Secretary Hall emphasized that the agency’s main public safety strategy is education, along with prevention and recidivism reduction. He described major staffing improvements after pay increases for probation, detention, residential care, and prevention workers, and outlined DJJ’s mental health, aftercare, and education continuum, including the Florida Scholars Academy and Florida Youth College. He said the new statewide education model is showing early gains in progress monitoring, high school graduation, and postsecondary enrollment, while also noting ongoing operational issues such as IT connectivity, rural staffing gaps, and the need for geographic pay adjustments for teachers. He also discussed detention center replacement plans in Hillsborough, Broward, and Palm Beach, and said DJJ would transition the Broward JAC to a security contractor after the sheriff’s office pulls sworn officers from the site. Members asked about campus performance differences, teacher pay, detention education quality, and concerns about the rollout and leadership of the Scholars Academy. Hall said some campuses face rural access and infrastructure problems, but the blended learning model provides continuity when internet or staffing issues arise. He defended the superintendent’s qualifications and said early problems with inappropriate online content were addressed. Representative Porras raised concerns about educational quality and the superintendent’s past disciplinary history, while Representative Barrera urged more mentorship and fatherhood-focused programming in juvenile facilities. DOC Secretary Dixon said the prison system is under pressure from rising inmate populations, staffing shortages, and overtime costs. He argued that the system needs funded posts for every functioning housing unit, noting that the department has added housing units without enough staff and now relies heavily on overtime, mobile officer deployments, and shift conversions to keep facilities operating safely. He highlighted that many officers are new, that outside-hospital transports have risen sharply, and that mental health units require additional staffing. DOC’s mental health chief described a large and growing treatment system with outpatient, inpatient, intensive outpatient, and court-ordered services, saying about a quarter of the prison population has a diagnosed mental illness. Community corrections staff described treatment programs, employment specialists, mobile probation and reentry units, and a new mental health first aid training initiative. Reentry staff reported expanded substance abuse, education, CTE, chaplaincy, and digital learning programs, including Edovo and a forthcoming Work Bay platform. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• While VOCA is a federal program, it is not funded in the same way as other programs.
• . programs. programs.
• Programs offered.
• Programs<00:19:13.679><c> offered.</c> Programs offered. Programs offered.
• </c> monitoring programs and placement. monitoring programs and placement.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee first heard from the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet’s Grants Management Division on federal victim-services funding. Staff described the main grant programs they administer, including STOP VAWA, VOCA victim assistance, sexual assault services, Byrne state crisis intervention, and Project Safe Neighborhoods. They emphasized that VOCA is especially volatile because it is funded by the federal Crime Victims Fund, which has declined sharply in recent years, reducing Kentucky’s available awards and forcing cuts to state, local, and nonprofit subgrants. They also outlined steps the cabinet has taken to stabilize funding, including changing the subaward formula, aligning the grant period with the state fiscal year, subawarding one year behind the federal cycle, and retaining a reserve. Members asked about how funds reach victims, how subgrantee amounts are determined, and requested a breakdown of grant recipients and amounts; staff said they would provide that information later. The committee then received a detailed presentation from the Department of Juvenile Justice on alternatives to detention. Commissioner Randy White and staff explained that ATDs are short-term, less restrictive placements for low-risk youth, including electronic monitoring, home supervision, group homes, foster care, private child care, community programs, mentoring, evening reporting centers, and in-home wraparound services. They described the referral and approval process involving court-designated workers, detention alternative coordinators, courts, and county attorneys, and said DJJ currently has 16 ATD-related contracts, with placements, programs, and electronic monitoring among them. They also reported that between July 1, 2024, and July 30, 2025, 1,652 juveniles were involved in the process, including 168 diversion cases. Members questioned the cost of juvenile detention versus adult incarceration, whether families pay for electronic monitoring, whether there is a national model for juvenile detention, and what alternatives exist for truancy and contempt cases. DJJ said families do not generally reimburse for electronic monitoring, there is no single national model, and day treatment centers are an important alternative for some youth. The department also said it builds daily routines and wellness education into its facilities, and that more than two-thirds of its programs are evidence-based. Officials said they currently monitor vendor performance through quarterly reviews and can end contracts for poor performance, but that data tracking is still largely manual. They said the new JCOM system, now in pilot in the eastern region, should improve reporting and help identify outcomes and recidivism more effectively.

Transcript Highlights:

• Essentially, the program was officialized in 2004, but there's a prehistory to the program that began
• Tom was going to be here, and Tom is sick, so the actual program had the original program was different
• had the original actually program had the original program<00:04:10.560><c> was</c><00:04:10.720><c>
• </c><00:37:29.119><c> on</c><00:37:29.319><c> the</c> program program for our students on the program
• </c> program and we do have the audio program program and we do have the audio program at<00:48:35.599

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bridge Program. $1.4 million for the VPK program, $4.1 million for the VPK Summer Bridge Program, $3.3
• program, and $182.6 million for the SHIP program.
• I saw that on the My Safe Florida Home program, we put $100 million into the regular program.
• programs that we’re just providing?
• Scholarship programs.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several gallery introductions before taking up Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, on mental health. Senator Bradley explained that the bill is intended to divert clinically appropriate defendants with mental illness from jail to treatment, create pretrial mental health diversion programs, expand grant uses for mental health and substance abuse reinvestment, require evaluations and treatment follow-up in certain probation and prison settings, add Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, and establish a Florida Behavioral Health Data Repository. Senators from both parties spoke in support, emphasizing treatment over incarceration, public safety, and the Murphy family’s role in the bill. The Senate passed the bill 37-0 and then recorded 37 co-sponsors. The chamber then moved into presentations on SB 2500, the 2025-26 General Appropriations Act. Chair Hooper said the Senate budget totals $117.4 billion, reduces overall spending from the prior year, maintains reserves, keeps employee health contributions level, and includes major investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and nearly $1 billion in education capital outlay. Committee chairs outlined their portions of the budget, including increased funding for K-12 schools and scholarships, higher education workforce programs, Medicaid and health services, corrections and courts, transportation and housing, and environmental restoration such as Everglades and water quality projects. Members then asked extensive questions, especially about education funding, school choice, AP/IB and accelerated programs, the Family Empowerment Scholarship, and the FEFP calculations. Senator Burgess repeatedly explained that scholarship funding is being moved “below the line” to improve tracking and that the Senate position is to preserve funding while giving districts more flexibility. Senators also questioned the APD wait list for disability services, opioid settlement spending, arts funding, the My Safe Florida Home condo pilot, and proposed IT and agency restructuring. Several chairs said some issues would be resolved in conference, and no final vote on the budget was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• programs.
• Aspire program.
• Aspire program.
• At that time, we added a women's soccer program and we added a men's wrestling program.
• At that time, we added a women's soccer program and we added a men's wrestling program.

Summary: The committee met on the Minot State campus for a presentation from President Shirley and several university leaders on enrollment, academics, workforce initiatives, and partnerships. Shirley reviewed the university’s financial audits, noting mostly clean results with only minor technical findings in recent years, and highlighted Minot State’s major programs, specialized accreditations, and ties to Minot Air Force Base and NCAA Division II athletics. Members asked about education workforce shortages, athletic tuition waivers, dual credit incentives, and the university’s in-state tuition policy for all students. Shirley also discussed the university’s recruitment efforts, including the Hometown Pride and Academic Excellence scholarships, campus visit growth, and the Emerging Scholars dual-credit reimbursement program. A major focus was workforce development and new academic offerings supported by legislative Workforce Education Innovation Funds. Shirley described the new Innovation Engineering program, which was developed with industry input to train broadly skilled engineers for western North Dakota, and said it had already drawn more applicants than expected. Dr. Crystal St. Peter presented a new master’s program in counseling that integrates mental health and addiction counseling to address statewide provider shortages, with a hybrid format to reach rural students. Members asked about licensure requirements, internship hours, and job placement for graduates. Shirley also outlined a new nursing simulation center and health sciences space in downtown Minot, made possible by state support and the purchase of the former Trinity Health Center West building. The committee also heard about Minot State’s efforts to build pipelines into education and special education, including the Aspire program for rural high school students and an online paraprofessional-to-special-education degree pathway. Shirley said these programs, along with new articulation agreements and a large Bush Foundation grant, are intended to address teacher shortages and keep students in North Dakota. No formal committee votes or actions were taken during the presentation; the session consisted of informational updates and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• These programs are as important as our education programs, and Central is one of few four-year public
• The cost and benefits from an academic program can differ significantly across academic programs.
• Some low-enrolled programs may more than pay for themselves, while some higher-enrolled programs may
• in the courses composing the program, and not simply the enrollment in the program itself.
• , ending a program...

Summary: The Workforce Development Committee heard public testimony on several higher education bills. Senate Bill 5954 would expand veteran survivor tuition waiver eligibility to better align state law with federal DEA benefits, allowing eligible children and surviving spouses/domestic partners to use the waiver outside current age and time limits. The sponsor and veteran advocates said the change would help families access earned benefits; no opposition was heard, and the public hearing was closed. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5826, which would require public postsecondary institutions to provide access to medication abortion through student health centers or referrals and web-based information by the 2027-28 academic year. Supporters, including students and reproductive health advocates, said the bill would reduce barriers, travel burdens, and stigma and help students stay enrolled. Opponents, including clergy, Catholic Conference representatives, and other individuals, argued the bill promoted abortion, raised safety and moral concerns, and was outside the mission of colleges. The public hearing was closed after extensive testimony. Senate Bill 5828 would restore and adjust Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship awards for students attending private not-for-profit four-year institutions, using the average award at public institutions rather than the reduced formula adopted last session. The sponsor and many students, private college leaders, and business and workforce groups supported the bill as a matter of fairness, access, and student choice, while public university faculty and representatives opposed it, saying state aid should prioritize public institutions and that the bill would deepen funding inequities. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5909, which would require public baccalaureate institutions to review and potentially discontinue low-enrollment degree programs; supporters framed it as a transparency and efficiency measure, while faculty and student representatives opposed it as too blunt and potentially harmful to smaller, specialized, or equity-focused programs. No votes were taken on any of the bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• of our connections with local employers. program this is a program that provides program this is a program
• time investment in testing the program and delivering on the program for two years.
• time investment in testing the program and delivering on the program for two years.
• time investment in testing the program and delivering on the program for two years.
• So it sounds like a pilot program. How much has the city already dedicated to that pilot program?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• professionals in these programs.
• AB 970 also includes an evaluation of the pilot program.
• And then it would require that the IT systems that run the programs would effectuate this program with
• There's an incredible program that already exists, the CalWORKs recipient education program.
• The problem with the program is there's too much red tape.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard a long agenda of bills focused largely on child welfare, foster care, child care, CalWORKs, mandated reporting, and public benefits. Early items included AB 890, which would ease county transfer rules for nonminor dependents in extended foster care; AB 461, which would replace punitive truancy-related penalties with supportive services for families; and AB 753, which would create an interim associate teacher pathway to help address the child care workforce shortage. Testimony on these bills emphasized barriers faced by foster youth, low-income families, and child care providers, and members expressed support for the general policy direction. The committee also heard AB 926 on foster care visitation, AB 563 on early childhood planning and reporting, AB 601 on standardized mandated reporter training, AB 1074 on CalWORKs reunification aid, AB 822 extending the Commission on the State of Hate, AB 970 creating a Los Angeles County mandated reporter pilot, AB 1161 protecting public benefits during disasters, AB 1172 allowing trained staff to administer emergency seizure medication in community care settings, and AB 363 expanding CalWORKs student supports and work-study. Witnesses generally supported these measures as ways to reduce trauma, improve reunification, modernize reporting and training, and expand access to services. County welfare and child welfare groups, advocacy organizations, and providers largely testified in support, while some bills drew concerns from county representatives about implementation or needed amendments. Several bills were voted out of committee, often unanimously and sometimes as amended, including AB 926, AB 563, AB 601, AB 1074, AB 822, AB 970, AB 1161, and AB 1172; AB 1172 was reported on call. The committee also took up consent items and later voted on subcommittee-held bills AB 461, AB 753, and AB 890, leaving them on call. At the end of the hearing, the committee heard AB 1211, which would protect CalFresh benefits from federal cuts and require a feasibility study on increasing benefits and eligibility; testimony stressed rising food insecurity and the economic importance of food assistance, but the transcript ends before a final vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:12:37.880><c> now</c> things at NDC all of our programs now things at NDC all of our programs
• </c> other programs other programs um<00:30:59.080><c> I</c><00:30:59.200><c> think</c><00:30:59.679>
• </c> and then under the pro current program and then under the pro current program we<00:51:18.079><c
• program and the grants program have Loan program and the grants program have been<01:04:51.760><c> excellent
• Some funds remain in the program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> program</c><00:08:54.920><c> and</c> the federal Medicare program and the federal Medicare program
• One program that we looked at was the dialysis program.
• Without the 340B program, our finances would be much worse. 340B is a federal program that helps fill
• own program.
• </c><01:15:32.880><c> and</c><01:15:33.239><c> when</c> program or the Medicaid Program and when program

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Counties administer the program.
• Counties administer the program.
• of the program, as well as the complexities associated with administering the Quality Incentive Program
• , learn more about the program, have the tools to hopefully be successful in the program.
• program, have the tools to hopefully be successful in the program. ...into the program, learn more about

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then a lot of these programs under a HUD program, you get HUD financing at 85%.
• These programs are popular.
• You know, again, these programs—one nice thing about these programs—they're very versatile.
• Texas-based pilot programs.
• The program that you participated in, was it the Open Research Program? Translator: It's yes.

Bills: HB21, HB211, HB223

Keywords: HB 21, Texas Tax Code, ad valorem tax, property tax, delinquent taxes, tax delinquency, penalty reduction, interest rate, split payment, installment payment, tax relief, county tax collector, taxing unit, property owner, tax collection, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax increase election, supermajority, 60 percent threshold

Transcript Highlights:

• That is what this program does.
• For programs on probation, Senate Bill 254 requires the program to submit and present an improvement
• If the program fails to do this, the Board must terminate the program and may discipline the director
• Secondly, a program that already is on probation because the program director fails to appear before
• We believe this bill treats private programs differently than public programs and we are concerned.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are programs that we have an interest in.
• X dollars into that program.
• Our programs are not currently reaching the caps on their respective programs yet.
• Our programs are not currently reaching the caps on their respective programs yet.
• So this is a very diverse program.

Summary: The Agriculture Committee first established a quorum and then went into executive session, where it voted House Bill 24-22 do pass by a vote of 18 ayes, 0 noes, and 1 present. The committee then moved into public hearing on House Bills 2713 and 2716, both sponsored by Representative Deal. HB 2713 was described as the larger agriculture tax credit package, including removal of sunsets from several existing ag-related credits and technical changes to programs such as biodiesel, meat processing, specialty crops, wood energy, and rolling stock. HB 2716 focused on the short-line rail tax credit and related rail infrastructure incentives, including track rehabilitation and industrial development credits. Representative Deal said the bills were intended to provide long-term certainty for agriculture and rail investment and noted the programs’ positive return on investment. Committee members raised concerns about eliminating sunsets, how future legislatures would review the credits, and whether some credits could be used if Missouri moved toward eliminating income tax. Questions also focused on whether abandoned or minimally used rail lines would qualify, and on the transferability of rolling stock credits to entities with different tax liabilities. Deal and witnesses said the rail provisions were aimed at active short lines and that data on the credits’ performance could be provided. Testimony in support came from the Missouri Corn Growers Association, Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Soybeans, the Biodiesel Coalition of Missouri, Missouri Dairy, Missouri Agribusiness Association, Missouri Bankers Association, Missouri Eastern Railroad, Missouri Economic Development Council, Osage Valley Electric Cooperative, and the Missouri Railroad Association. Supporters said the credits have stimulated ethanol, biodiesel, dairy, specialty crop, meat processing, and rural economic development projects, and that rail credits help preserve and expand short-line service, reduce truck traffic, and attract industrial investment. No opposition testimony was offered on either bill, and the hearings on HB 2713 and HB 2716 were adjourned without any recorded committee vote on those bills in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then lastly there is the large program which is called the [BEAD program](link from function call) and
• teeth in that program?
• So we have already staffed up that program.
• It's a voucher program, okay?
• So for the first program, Boot One, it was a broad open program that the ISPs were able to draw their

Bills: SB 1, SB1

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

Transcript Highlights:

• We're the state virtual program in the state of Idaho.
• Everything from a K-5 literacy program—that's our Launchpad program—to middle school.
• So that drove growth in enrollment in our program.
• So they saw a statewide program such as IDLA as a solution.
• as a separate program to schools at last year, $77 million.

Summary: The committee first considered RS 33030 C2, introduced by Representative Doug Pickett, which would add transparency and accountability requirements for virtual education programs, especially Idaho Home Learning Academy. He said the proposal would require school board approval of contracts with education service providers, confirm Idaho residency for students, require state standards for curriculum, disclose services and costs, address conflicts of interest, prohibit direct payments to parents, require certified teachers, and define eligible uses for supplemental learning funds. The committee voted to introduce the RS. Superintendent Jeff Simmons then presented on Idaho Digital Learning Academy (IDLA), describing it as the state virtual program created to provide choice, access, flexibility, quality, and equity through supplemental online courses. He said IDLA is funded mainly by a per-enrollment state appropriation and course fees, serves all students statewide, uses Idaho-certified teachers and principals, and offers a broad catalog including core classes, electives, dual credit, CTE, credit recovery, LaunchPad literacy support, and open educational resources. Anthony Butler, superintendent of Cambridge School District, testified that IDLA has been valuable for a small rural district by expanding course offerings, supporting dual credit, credit recovery, and helping students stay on track to graduate. Members questioned Simmons extensively about IDLA’s original purpose, its growth in budget and enrollment, teacher pay, audits, accountability, use by homeschool and private school students, and whether the program is serving rural students as intended. Simmons said the program remains supplemental, that most courses are asynchronous, that teachers are part-time and paid per enrollment, and that IDLA undergoes annual independent audits and reporting. He also said a proposed $10 million cut would significantly reduce services, likely affecting rural schools and programs like LaunchPad. The committee did not take a vote on IDLA during this portion, but the chair indicated further budget discussions would continue later.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> reduced price program um or free program reduced price program um or free program um<00:04:33.199
• </c><00:09:52.959><c> so</c> beefing up our facilitated program so beefing up our facilitated program
• and do art and have others who were not part of the program to be a part of their program.
• and do art and have others who were not part of the program to be a part of their program.
• and do art and have others who were not part of the program to be a part of their program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We only look at the nursing program.
• Within the nursing program of any academic institution, we look to make sure that that program will meet
• programs.
• When I was a nursing program... ...program director, I had three students take that pathway.
• Nursing programs in this state.

Summary: The joint Assembly and Senate Business and Professions sunset oversight hearing focused first on the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), with opening remarks emphasizing legislative oversight, consumer protection, workforce access, and the need to evaluate whether licensing boards are efficient and effective. BRN leaders reported progress since the last review, including faster licensing timelines, streamlined enforcement, improved consumer satisfaction, expanded nursing program enrollment, and new statewide data collection on faculty. Committee members then questioned the board about nurse practitioner scope and supervision, international licensure, English proficiency, online nursing education and clinical placements, military and veteran pathways, workforce shortages, diversity in nursing, the LVN-to-RN 30-unit option, and the role of the board’s RN executive officer. The board explained California’s tiered APRN system, the NCLEX and national certification requirements, the 500-hour direct patient care clinical requirement, and its use of nursing education consultants and board-approved programs to oversee schools and placements. Members also discussed retention problems, especially for new graduates, and the board said shortages are often driven by burnout, lack of support, and employers’ reduced use of new-grad training programs. Public comment largely centered on proposed BRN sunset issues affecting advanced practice nursing, education oversight, and workforce development. Nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, and nurse anesthesiology groups generally supported the BRN sunset report but asked for clearer implementation of AB 890, support for APRN-to-RN delegation authority, streamlined renewals for nurse midwives, and protection of the current population-focus model. The California Medical Association raised concerns about out-of-state nurse practitioners practicing independently without California transition-to-practice requirements, specialty delegation, ratios, and data collection. Higher education representatives from UC, CSU, private nonprofit colleges, and nursing associations urged the board to reduce duplicative documentation, modernize clinical placement rules, improve parity between in-state and out-of-state programs, and address bottlenecks in securing clinical sites. An online nursing school argued that California should create a pathway for distance-learning programs so students can complete clinicals in-state rather than traveling out of state. Several speakers also highlighted the need to expand access for rural and underserved communities, support diverse and nontraditional students, and preserve affordable pathways into nursing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, what I'm so proud about this program is that this is a proven program.
• </c> program has meant to his district. program has meant to his district.
• </c> through this program. through this program.
• </c> leadership program. leadership program.
• </c> that a separate program altogether? that a separate program altogether?

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> funding as we can to this program funding as we can to this program because<00:13:27.760><c> it<
• programs.
• programs programs one<00:45:28.240><c> is</c><00:45:28.400><c> that</c><00:45:28.559><c> they</c><00
• This program allows borrowers to utilize any lender they would like to with any program.
• This program is changing that.

Keywords: 1183, house