Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Representative John Temple, District 52.
• I'm Representative Judson Sapp, District 20.
• Gallop Franklin here, District 8.
• Wallace Aristide, District 107, Miami.
• Thomas University in my district and I have Florida Memorial University in my district. Thank you.

Summary: The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee met for an introductory overview of the higher education programs under its jurisdiction. After roll call and member introductions, Chair Busatta outlined that the subcommittee oversees programs in the Department of Education and the State University System, including vocational rehabilitation, blind services, private postsecondary licensure, student financial aid, career and adult education, the Florida College System, and the Board of Governors. The chair and staff also noted that these areas represent roughly $9 billion in current-year funding. Officials from the Department of Education presented on several programs. Vocational Rehabilitation Director Kelly Rogers described services for adults and youth with disabilities, including pre-employment transition services, job coaching, assistive technology, and employer support; she said the program served more than 55,000 people last year, has no wait list, and reported a return of $7.61 to the economy for every $1 invested. Division of Blind Services Director Robert Doyle explained services from birth through older adulthood, including early intervention, school-age support, vocational rehabilitation, independent living, the Business Enterprise Program for blind vendors, and the Braille and Talking Book Library; he said the division serves about 12,000 people annually and also has no wait list, though some community rehab providers may have one. Tiffany Hurst of the Commission for Independent Education described licensure and consumer protection for independent postsecondary institutions, reporting oversight of about 1,100 institutions and 721 non-degree schools, along with enforcement actions against unlicensed operators. Sean Haskin of Student Financial Assistance reviewed 22 scholarship and grant programs totaling about $1 billion for more than 200,000 students, including Bright Futures, Benacquisto, need-based grants, EASE, EASE Plus, veterans’ scholarships, dual enrollment reimbursement, first responder scholarships, and the Ocoee and Rosewood scholarships. Members asked about surplus funds, marketing, Bright Futures eligibility requirements, and whether EASE awards had changed; Haskin said any unused funds are reverted to the Legislature, that the department markets through schools and the Florida Lottery, and that EASE remained at $3,500 per FTE for the last two fiscal years. Several members raised concerns that students and parents may not learn about aid programs early enough, especially in economically disadvantaged communities. Chancellor Kevin O’Farrell then presented on Career and Adult Education, highlighting record participation in career and technical education, adult education, and apprenticeship. He said about 800,000 secondary students and 480,000 postsecondary students are in CTE, adult education serves about 183,000 learners, and apprenticeship/pre-apprenticeship programs include more than 22,000 participants. He also described the workforce development fund, Perkins, WIOA Title II, the Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant, workforce capitalization grants, CAPE performance funding, and the Pipeline nursing initiative, noting strong NCLEX outcomes and expanded outreach through the Get There, Your Way, Future of Work Florida, and Zello platforms. Kathy Hebda began the Florida College System presentation by emphasizing open access, workforce preparation, statewide reach, and strong enrollment and completion growth, including more than 672,000 students, over 131,000 degrees and certificates, and significant dual enrollment savings for students and families.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:06:43.600> shall It says in here that the districts shall It says in here that the districts
• School districts shall select new curriculum and materials. >> So it's directing the district saying
• > new School districts shall select new School districts shall select new curriculum<00:09:45.760
• districts are doing this work already. districts are doing this work already.
• And um my throughout a district.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on House Bill 1571, which would direct the Department of Education to review and revise statewide academic standards and curriculum and make an appropriation. Representative Kristen Noble, the sponsor, said the bill is intended to update outdated standards, especially in math, and to have the department create a list of high-quality curriculum and materials aligned to the revised standards. She noted she would likely amend the bill to change a requirement that districts “shall” select from the list to “may,” and said a misplaced crossed-out section would need to be restored and moved by amendment. She also said assessments would need to be updated to match any new standards. Testimony from Marie Banfield strongly supported the bill and the move away from a mandate, arguing that current standards are outdated and that Common Core and related standards have not improved student outcomes. She criticized the math standards for emphasizing multiple strategies and written explanations over computation, and said stronger standards would better support students, including those with learning or communication challenges. She also argued that New Hampshire should follow examples such as Massachusetts, which she said used rigorous standards successfully. Nate Green of the Department of Education did not take a position on the bill but explained that the bill would affect statewide academic standards, state assessments, and potentially federal compliance. He distinguished academic standards from minimum standards in statute, said any standards revision would require work with content experts, State Board approval, and then a corresponding assessment update that could take about two years. He estimated assessment development costs could range from about $200,000 to $500,000 for minor revisions and $1 million to $2 million for a wholesale new set of standards. He also said the bill would apply to public and charter public schools, not private or homeschool students, and that the department does not currently provide a statewide list of curriculum materials because curriculum decisions have historically been local.

Transcript Highlights:

• district court judge, Judge Browning.
• On the district court, 102 district court judges around the state.
• We'll talk more about district court later.
• The district attorney in this district was dismissing a number of DWIs. Of DWIs.
• Yes, the other bill is the First District Court civil judgeship, and the Second District Court would

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• districts. any current established districts it any current established districts it only<00:31:50.639
• could opt out of the countywide district could opt out of the countywide district uh<00:32:49.519
• a Communications District a Communications District um<00:34:57.280> min<00:34:57.680>
• <00:35:59.880> thank District thank District thank you<00:36:01.680> any<00:36:02.280><
• I serve District 2, which is the northern Grafton County district, sort of Littleton down to the area

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• saw a 20% drop in chronic absenteeism, and some districts saw almost no drop.
• Local districts received the 2% for locally chartered charter schools.
• School districts have received more money for secondary students.
• whose students are enrolled in their district.
• So currently we have 30 districts and charters that met that.

Transcript Highlights:

• <04:03:29.840> District one of the districts District one of the districts District 3<04:03
• ><04:03:52.319> District in that District in that District 3<04:03:54.760> actually<04:
• um District to be domiciled in the um District to be domiciled in the district<04:08:11.159> but
• District um uh where is it District District um uh where is it District three<04:22:23.239> thank
• I represent Marac County District 26, which is a floterial district with 8 towns.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My district appreciates it greatly. For the debate. For the debate. Okay.
• And that is equally as important for the folks that live in my district.
• many of the forward-looking school districts are doing that.
• So maybe we have to help our school districts with that.
• That doesn't mean that every one of them were bad schools or bad districts.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including recognition of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Founders’ Day and a visiting debate student. The chamber then received and adopted, by a 39-0 vote, a committee report confirming 52 gubernatorial executive appointments to various state, regional, and local boards and commissions. The first major bill was SB 250 on rural communities, described as a broad “Rural Renaissance” package. Sponsor Senator Simon outlined provisions creating an Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance Grant Program for counties facing population loss, housing and transportation investments, additional funding for rural education, and rural health care support. Two amendments were adopted to remove overlapping grant language tied to new federal rural health funding and to update hospital funding estimates. Senators from both parties generally supported the bill, though some raised questions about eligibility for certain rural areas and how funds would be accessed. The bill passed 39-0. The Senate then took up CS/SB 318 on educational scholarship programs. Senator Gates said the bill responds to Auditor General findings by separating scholarship funding from public school funding, requiring student identification and enrollment verification, reducing administrative fees for scholarship funding organizations, requiring annual audits, and directing the Department of Education to develop a competitive selection and performance-based business plan for those organizations. Three amendments were adopted, including changes to the stabilization fund and documentation requirements. Senators from both parties debated transparency, accountability, and implementation concerns, with some also urging future attention to declining-enrollment school districts and the quality of scholarship providers. The bill passed 38-0. At the end of the session, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify SB 250 and CS/SB 318 to the House, welcomed Palm Beach County visitors in the gallery, and adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And in my district in particular, the great 34th Senatorial District, we have in the heart of Port Chester
• AND ON THE SOUTHERN BROOKLYN PORTION OF MY DISTRICT ESPECIALLY IF BRIGHTON BEACH.
• SO, IT IS PETITIONING TIME SO I SPENT THE WEEKEND PETITIONING IN MY DISTRICT.
• The school districts that have brought these electric school buses in... Buses in.
• Lakeshore School District, directly adjacent to my Senate district, where they purchased 20 EV buses.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior day’s journal, and then took up a series of previously adopted resolutions recognizing individuals, communities, and state traditions. The chamber honored Staff Sergeant Michael Ollis posthumously after his Medal of Honor recognition, with remarks from Senator Scarcella-Spanton and others praising his sacrifice and welcoming his parents. Senators also celebrated New York maple producers and Maple Weekends, Bangladesh Independence Day and the contributions of Bangladeshi New Yorkers, York Middle/High School girls varsity volleyball for winning a state championship, Pavilion/York Air Rifle for winning the state invitational championship, and Tartan Day. These resolutions were adopted, and the sponsors opened them for co-sponsorship. The Senate then moved through the regular calendar and passed multiple bills, including measures on environmental conservation, personal property, agriculture and markets, insurance, state law, executive law, workers’ compensation, election law, correction law, public health, and parks/historic preservation. Most passed with broad support, though some drew a handful of negative votes. One bill on election law, allowing certain 17-year-olds to vote in primaries if they will be 18 by the general election, prompted supportive floor debate from several senators and passed 43-17. Another bill on correction law also passed after debate. A notable controversy arose over Calendar 227, a Public Authorities Law bill related to school energy planning and electric buses. Senator Borrello challenged an amendment as nongermane, the Chair ruled against it, and the Senate voted 22-0 to sustain the ruling. The underlying bill then passed, despite criticism from senators who argued the state should repeal the electric bus mandate and instead study safer, more practical alternatives for school districts. The Senate then completed its business and adjourned until March 24 at 3:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as I said, that seems weird, but in District 3, not the district I live in, I live in District 2,
• And as I said, that seems weird, but in District 3, not the district I live in, I live in District 2,
• And as I said, that seems weird, but in District 3, not the district I live in, I live in District 2,
• And as I said, that seems weird, but in District 3, not the district I live in, I live in District 2,
• And as I said, that seems weird, but in District 3, not the district I live in, I live in District 2,

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• No single newspaper serves our entire district.
• And 29% turn to our district newsletter.
• district Residents.
• This bill gives districts, I should say this amendment gives districts the flexibility to choose the
• Notice website is not an added cost to school districts.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not going to describe that to the Pasco County School District.
• Jason Unger, District School Board of Pasco County, waving in support.
• We have a school district, for example, one of ours that has five employees that run the whole district
• the whole district.
• Small school district, self-insured, got it.

Summary: The subcommittee first heard HB 6507, a claims bill for Marcus Button, who suffered severe permanent injuries in a 2006 school bus crash. Representative Andrade explained that a jury awarded Button more than $2 million in 2009, but only a small amount was paid under sovereign immunity limits. He said Pasco County later reached a settlement with Button, but believed it lacked legal authority to pay without legislative approval. The bill would give the county that authority. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed unanimously, 18-0. The committee then took up HB 301, which would substantially revise Florida’s sovereign immunity framework. Representative McFarland said the bill would raise liability caps for state and local governments from $200,000/$300,000 to $1 million/$3 million, with a later increase in 2030, align statutes of limitations with private suits, allow governments to settle above the caps without a claims bill, and prevent insurance policies from conditioning payment on legislative approval. She framed the bill as a way to reduce the need for the claims bill process and provide faster redress to injured people. Testimony on HB 301 was sharply divided. Local governments, school districts, counties, cities, hospital groups, and insurance representatives opposed the bill, arguing the higher caps would sharply increase insurance and taxpayer costs, especially for small or fiscally constrained entities, and that the claims bill process and special masters provide useful review and leverage. Supporters, including the Florida Justice Association and several members, argued the current system is too slow and political, leaves seriously injured people waiting years for compensation, and should be modernized to better hold government accountable. No vote was taken on HB 301 in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• language relating to school district language relating to school district referenda.<00:03:44.560
• Um, all of our surrounding school districts, for our school district in particular, have doubled the
• many other districts as well.
• drastic between other school districts. drastic between other school districts.
• And if we can somehow districts.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm glad to see this in Hillsborough County; shameless plug for my district.
• I’ve got 20 municipalities in my district.
• That's why there are many fewer issues matching students with districts.
• This provides the district to receive resilience grant funding.
• The water management districts have a variety of revenues.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The districts I'm talking about are at The districts I'm talking about are at $0.<01:16:41.280> $0
• Um, Lake Superior School District, Cook County Public Schools. um, which school districts are or um are
• the school district. Yes, the number. the school district. Yes, the number.
• <01:21:13.520> Sure, district if you Sure. Okay. Sure, district if you Sure. Okay.
• 8,127 dwellings in our school district 8,127 dwellings in our school district are<01:25:29.440><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He has been to our district I can't tell you how many times.
• I am the district defender for the 23rd Judicial District, which encompasses Assumption, Ascension, and
• I am the chief defender in the 15th and 16th Judicial Districts.
• I'm the district defender in the 4th Judicial District, which is Ouachita and Morehouse.
• I'm the district defender in the 4th Judicial District, which is Ouachita and Morehouse, up in northeast

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Louisiana Public Defender Oversight Board met on June 18, 2026, with a quorum present and adopted the agenda. Public comment was dominated by district defenders and other public defense leaders praising State Public Defender Remy Starns for improving communication, collaboration, and overall system performance. Speakers from multiple districts said the system is more unified, better supported, and more stable than in prior years, and several credited Starns with helping resolve long-standing tensions and improve coordination across capital, district, and appellate work. One speaker also paid tribute to the late Mike Ginnard, describing him as instrumental to earlier public defense reforms. In his report, Starns said the system has improved over the last seven years but still needs a sustainable funding source. He discussed legislative changes affecting public defense, including a cleanup bill, elimination of filing fees for writs and appeals, and a new procedure related to expert-fee requests in light of recent court rulings. He also described ongoing efforts to integrate capital and appellate work into district offices, expand the laws/writs program, and continue post-conviction work under new statutory rules. Starns emphasized recruitment and retention, including the need for affordable health insurance and retirement benefits, and again honored Mike Ginnard for his leadership and service. The board then adopted proposed bylaws, after some discussion about special committees and public meeting requirements. Members agreed to create a committee to review and refine the bylaws later, and they also elected a vice chairman and designated the Office of the Public Defender, with staff support, as secretary for recordkeeping. Finally, the board heard a presentation on the strategic plan, which was described as largely an update to the prior version with terminology changes, new accessibility-related goals, and added performance measures for training, compliance, and communications. The strategic plan was adopted by resolution, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• struggling district is beyond me. struggling district is beyond me.
• District 6. District 6.
• Farmington that every district in the state is a sending district.
• Farmington that every district in the state is a sending district.
• those costs don't leave the district. those costs don't leave the district.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , so this would be different by district, so this would be different by district, but<00:09:13.720
• and this would be a district-funded and this would be a district-funded option,<00:10:42.000>
• someone a a teacher in in my district someone a a teacher in in my district sent<00:24:51.680>
• >> school district has an option today. >> school district has an option today.
• districts that are very different. districts that are very different.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Education Committee opened with roll call, recognized homeschool families and Military Kids Day guests, and then took up two bills sponsored by Senator Matt Nunn. Senate Bill 124 would let local school districts create an optional sick-leave cash-out program for teachers, with payouts at current salary rates, a 15-day minimum remaining balance, and a cap discussed in the testimony. Supporters, including Scott County Superintendent Billy Parker, said the measure is intended to reduce substitute shortages, give teachers more flexibility, and avoid adding state pension liability; committee members also noted a related provision allowing use of sick days for religious holidays not on the school calendar. The committee adopted a sub on Senate Bill 124 and then passed the bill unanimously after a motion, second, and roll call vote. During discussion, members emphasized the compounding value of the cash-out option for teachers and the potential benefit to families, while Senator Higdon and others praised the bill as a win-win for districts and staff. The committee then moved to Senate Bill 101, also by Senator Nunn, and adopted a committee substitute by voice vote. Nunn said the sub removed a provision that would have allowed county attorneys to charge some 14- and 15-year-olds as adults. As amended, the bill requires local boards to adopt a policy imposing at least a 12-month expulsion for students in grades 6-12 who assault, batter, or abuse school personnel without provocation, with an exception for disability-related conduct under an IEP, and requires immediate reporting of intentional assaults or attempted assaults on school employees to law enforcement, with penalties for noncompliance. Nunn and a teacher who submitted a written statement described the bill as a response to repeated assaults on educators and the fear and injuries that can drive teachers from the profession. Members began questioning the bill, with Senator Carroll asking about alternative school options for expelled students; discussion was still underway when the transcript ended, and no final vote on Senate Bill 101 was shown in the provided text.

Transcript Highlights:

• districts.
• a result of a school district a result of a school district consolidation.<00:36:04.800> and<
• , cooperative, intermediate district, cooperative, intermediate district, education<00:36:47.119>
• district or joint powers education district or joint powers cooperative<00:36:49.040> may<00:
• driver for Independent School District driver for Independent School District 196.<01:21:10.000>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , which they didn't exist at the time of the formation of the district.
• So ...follow the dictates of historic districts just like private ones do.
• Dig in a little deeper to how it's connected to the district attorney.
• District attorney. Okay, all right. All right. Thank you.
• District attorney. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Okay, the board is clear.

Summary: The House Municipal, Parochial, and Cultural Affairs Committee met and advanced a series of local bills, mostly by unanimous voice vote after brief questions. SB 430 by Sen. Jenkins renewed the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau’s 1.5% hotel occupancy tax for 12-year periods by voter approval, with discussion about continued planning and coordination among tourism entities. SB 286 by Sen. Duplessis updated the New Orleans Downtown Development District statute by clarifying its status as a political subdivision, streamlining tax collection, removing staggered board terms, and clarifying bond renewal voting boundaries. The committee also favorably reported SB 198 by Sen. Mizell, requiring government projects in historic districts to follow local historic district rules for new construction; SB 172 by Sen. Luneau, expanding a planning-commission waiver process for certain property divisions to municipalities below 150,000 population; and SB 439 by Sen. Gerald Boudreaux, adding pre-screening for esophageal/Barrett’s cancer for firefighters and fire service employees. Testimony on the firefighter bill emphasized the health risks from carcinogen exposure and the value of early detection, and members expressed strong support. Additional bills advanced included SB 458 by Sen. McMath, creating a mechanism for local ethics-entity tax revenues in St. Tammany Parish to be transferred to the district attorney’s office if an inspector general office is created; SB 447 by Sen. Bass, changing Bossier City Police Department promotions from competitive to promotional seniority; SB 281 by Sen. Barrow, expanding the Baker Economic Development District boundaries to include additional commercial areas; SB 385 by Sen. Harris, changing appointments to the City Park Improvement Association board and allowing City Park to opt out of certain ORM insurance coverage; HR 84 by Rep. Walters, urging Shreveport to create an interest-free loan program for TSA workers during federal shutdowns; and SB 417 by Sen. Allain, adding two members to the St. Mary Parish drainage district board. All of these measures were reported favorably, with one member recusing himself from the City Park bill due to board membership. The committee then recessed briefly, noting several remaining bills would be deferred if sponsors did not arrive soon.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is within my district, District 6 in Anaheim Hills, and it will be a final resting place to honor
• I'm the Orange County Cemetery District General Manager.
• The district then collaborated with the City of Anaheim City Attorney's Office, County Counsel, and District
• The Orange County Cemetery District is a special district. They are separate from the county.
• cemetery district would be bringing those utilities to the site.

Summary: The hearing focused on the long-delayed Southern California Veterans Cemetery project at Gypsum Canyon in Anaheim, with opening remarks from Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva, Senator Tom Umberg, and Assemblymember Avelino Valencia emphasizing the project’s importance to Orange County veterans and families. Anaheim city leaders, including the mayor pro tem and council members, voiced strong support and described the city’s role in planning, utilities, and final approvals. Quirk-Silva reviewed the project history, including prior legislation, county and state funding commitments, and the recent federal determination that the site meets VA criteria for a state veterans cemetery. The first panel, representing the veterans community, included the American Legion, American Gold Star Mothers, and Valor. They argued that Orange County—home to a large veteran population—still lacks a local veterans cemetery, forcing families to travel long distances to Riverside or elsewhere. Testimony stressed the emotional and practical burden on aging veterans and grieving families, and called for immediate action and possession of the property. Some speakers were sharply critical of CalVet and the pace of the process, saying veterans have waited too long and that the project should move forward without further delay. The second panel, from Orange County, described the county’s and cemetery district’s support and the unique opportunity to develop a shared site for a public cemetery and a separate state veterans cemetery. County officials said the county has dedicated land and funding, and that shared infrastructure—roads, utilities, grading, and access—could reduce costs substantially if the two projects are coordinated. They also said the county is ready to transfer the property to CalVet when appropriate and that the project has already cleared major local approvals and litigation. The final panel from DGS and CalVet explained the state’s feasibility study and current planning work. DGS said the 2023 study estimated the state’s portion of phase one at about $126 million, largely driven by site work and grading, though that estimate may change as assumptions are updated. CalVet said it is working with DGS and the county on a revised concept plan to lower costs and refine the timeline, and that legislative budget action will be needed to authorize spending from the Southern California Veterans Cemetery fund. No formal vote was taken; the hearing was informational, and the main action was continued coordination among the state, county, city, and veterans groups, with public comment at the end overwhelmingly urging faster construction.