Transcript Highlights:

• It hasn't been since high school. I hope Stephanie's well.
• I just wondered if Senator Bernt was a teacher when the lieutenant colonel was in high school. Mr.
• In section two, it lists the various forms of discipline that are available.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ...school has already established.
• I founded a new high school in South Florida. It's called Jewish Culture High School.
• School in downtown Orlando.
• In fact, my grandfather went to Orlando High School when it was the only high school in Orlando.
• The oldest is a freshman in college, two are in high school, and one is in middle school.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We left those girls home in school.
• I founded a new high school in South Florida. It's called Jewish Culture High School.
• School in downtown Orlando.
• In fact, my grandfather went to Orlando High School when it was the only high school in Orlando.
• The oldest is a freshman in college, two in high school, and one in middle school.

Summary: The committee on Higher Education Appropriations heard and favorably reported two bills: SB 1570, which revives the former Project Leo program to help locate missing persons with special needs through voluntary tracking devices and coordination with sheriff’s offices, and CS/SB 1376, which creates a grant program to support genetic counseling education in response to a statewide shortage of genetic counselors. Both bills drew supportive comments, with the genetic counseling bill also receiving public support from a university representative. The committee then took up a large slate of confirmations. It first approved a block of reappointments to various university and college boards of trustees, including institutions such as UWF, Broward College, Chipola College, FIU, Pasco-Hernando, Polk State, St. Petersburg College, Valencia, FAMU, FAU, UCF, FSU, New College, UNF, USF, and Broward College. It then heard from numerous new appointees and some requested reappointments, many of whom emphasized workforce training, nursing, military and veteran support, dual enrollment, and local economic development as priorities for their institutions. Several nominees highlighted their personal ties to the schools and communities they would serve, including appointees to Pensacola State, Polk State, St. Petersburg College, UNF, UWF, FIU, the College of the Florida Keys, Valencia College, and Chipola College. Committee members repeatedly asked about nursing NCLEX pass rates, workforce alignment, and institutional growth. One reappointment, Thomas Zachary Smith to the UWF board, was pulled from the block for separate questioning about his past public comments and his role in Project 2025; he said he would serve in his personal capacity and treat all students equally. The committee also separately heard from a Florida Poly reappointment, I. Shapiro, who was questioned about prior remarks regarding race and Supreme Court nominations, and from a New College reappointment, Mark Bowerlaine, who described campus improvements and enrollment growth. The meeting ended amid ongoing confirmation processing and separate votes on the remaining nominees.

Transcript Highlights:

• I founded a new high school in South Florida. It's called Jewish Culture High School.
• School in downtown Orlando.
• In fact, my grandfather went to Orlando High School when it was the only high school in Orlando.
• In fact, my grandfather went to Orlando High School when it was the only high school in Orlando.
• The oldest is a freshman in college, two in high school, and one in middle school.

Bills: S1570 , S1376

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Keywords: missing persons, special needs, autism, search-and-rescue, Florida, voluntary program, funding, genetic counseling, education grants, state universities, faculty recruitment, student financial assistance

Summary: The committee heard and approved two bills before moving to a long confirmation agenda. SB 1570, by Sen. Gates, would restore Project Leo, a previously sunset program that helps locate missing persons with special needs through voluntary tracking devices and coordination between CARD centers and local sheriffs; it was praised as a proven tool for families and first responders and was reported favorably. CS/SB 1376, by Sen. Burgess, would create grants to support genetic counseling education and help address Florida’s shortage of genetic counselors; testimony noted the state’s limited supply of licensed counselors and the need to expand clinical training, and the bill also passed favorably. The committee then considered a block of reappointments to university and college boards of trustees, including institutions such as UWF, Broward College, Chipola College, FIU, Pasco-Hernando, Polk State, St. Petersburg, Valencia, FAMU, FAU, UCF, FSU, New College, UNF, USF, and others. No one requested separate votes on the reappointments, and the block was confirmed unanimously for recommendation to the next committee. A series of new appointees then appeared and largely emphasized workforce training, nursing, military support, and local economic development at their institutions. Witnesses included appointees to Pensacola State, Polk State, St. Petersburg College, UNF, FIU, UWF, Valencia, the College of the Florida Keys, and others; several highlighted strong NCLEX pass rates, dual enrollment, and partnerships with employers or military communities. One nominee, Florida Poly reappointment Ilya Shapiro, faced pointed questioning from Sen. Bracey Davis about past comments regarding race and the Supreme Court; he said his remarks were about hiring criteria, not a specific justice, and reiterated opposition to race- or sex-based selection. The committee also briefly struggled to reach Sherry Young by phone before hearing her testimony for Chipola College, where she said she wanted to give back as an alumna and nurse practitioner. Most new appointees were recommended for confirmation in a block, while Thomas Zachary Smith of UWF was pulled for separate consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• contest director Liam McNamer, brother of Garrett, Landon has been immersed in the culture and discipline
• Landon has been immersed in the culture Landon has been immersed in the culture and<00:15:19.360><c> discipline
• 19.920><c> sport</c><00:15:20.160><c> from</c><00:15:20.279><c> a</c><00:15:20.480><c> young</c> and discipline
• of the sport from a young and discipline of the sport from a young age<00:15:21.279><c> his</c><00:15

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , if they score in the lowest discipline, if they score in the lowest two<00:03:43.640><c> categories
• But no, I mean, progressive discipline is occurring.
• But no, I mean, we we often, I mean,<00:09:53.920><c> progressive</c><00:09:54.400><c> discipline</c>
• <00:09:55.240><c> is</c> mean, progressive discipline is mean, progressive discipline is occurring<00
• </c> Discipline them. So, um, very much so.

Keywords: Investments in Information Technology Improvement & Modernization Projects Oversight Board will met upon adjournment of both chambers. The time set is noon on YouTube, But the official time will likely vary based on chamber proceedings. Meeting start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:00 Tools for Managing Remote Work Kentucky Personnel Cabinet 00:00:30 Kentucky Transportation Cabinet 00:20:20 Cabinet for Health and Family Services 00:33:10 Housing, Buildings and Construction 00:47:40 Commonwealth Office of Technology 00:56:20, 958, all

Summary: The committee received testimony from Personnel Cabinet Secretary Mary Elizabeth Bailey and Deputy Secretary Robert Long on the state’s telecommuting policy. Bailey explained that telecommuting in the executive branch is governed by a statewide policy requiring eligible employees to work in the office three days a week and telecommute up to two days a week. Eligibility depends first on the position, not the person: public-facing jobs, roles requiring special equipment or insecure document handling, and other duties that cannot be performed remotely are not eligible. Employees and managers must complete training, sign agreements, comply with safety and IT requirements, and telecommuting privileges can be revoked for poor performance or discipline. She said the cabinet audits compliance and that telecommuting has helped maintain services during inclement weather, disasters, and building renovations. Bailey also said about 33% of the workforce is hybrid, 11% telecommutes full-time, and 56% does not telecommute. Members asked about cost savings, eligibility, discipline, and technology requirements. Bailey said she did not have statewide cost-savings figures and referred that question to the Finance and Administration Cabinet. She said employees must have reliable connectivity and appropriate equipment, but there is no fixed broadband speed requirement; if an employee cannot connect, they must come into the office. She also said telecommuting postings indicate whether a position is eligible, and that performance issues are handled through progressive discipline rather than being ignored. Transportation Cabinet officials then described how their agency manages remote work. Deputy Secretary Mike Hancock, along with IT and human resources leaders, said the cabinet follows the executive branch policy and actively manages telecommuting employees through Microsoft Teams, VPN access, daily standups, project tracking, and manager oversight. They said more than 2,600 of the cabinet’s 4,000 employees cannot telecommute because their jobs are public-facing or field-based, while about 35% are eligible to telecommute up to two days per week. The cabinet also has 13 state employees and 94 contract employees working full-time remotely in IT. Officials said telecommuting has improved recruitment and retention, supported emergency response and weather operations, and allowed the cabinet to continue working during storms and other disruptions. Members asked about phone equipment, monitoring, and “mouse jiggler” devices; officials said phones are often forwarded to personal or state devices, Teams shows real-time availability, and managers rely on daily accountability and project management tools to monitor work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Giving them appeal rights to a discharge or discipline is contrary to the nature of their employment.
• In units 3, 4, 13, and 14, there are already criteria on discipline. &gt;&gt; Thank you.
• 07:20.240><c> the</c> the tech development corporation, the the tech development corporation, the school
• 01:07:21.920><c> So</c><01:07:22.000><c> the</c><01:07:22.160><c> idea</c><01:07:22.240><c> is</c> school
• So the idea is school facilities board.

Bills: SB2543 , SB2014 , SB2115 , SB3095 , SB3264 , SB2114 , SB2117 , SB2246 , SB2519 , SB3055 , SB3131 , SB3144

Committee: House Labor

Keywords: state construction, construction manager, design review, public works, capital improvement, DAGS, Department of Accounting and General Services, DOE, Department of Education, comptroller, pilot program, design review special fund, county permit review, accessibility compliance, Disability and Communication Access Board, state infrastructure, government construction, project oversight, civil service exemption, county agencies

Transcript Highlights:

• Funding in public schools is on a per-pupil formula, so funding would go with schools.
• Funding in public schools is on a per-pupil formula, so funding would go with schools.
• </c> baker so funding in in public schools baker so funding in in public schools are<00:05:11.759><c>
• </c> funding would um would go with schools funding would um would go with schools if<00:05:17.240><c
• So if a school chooses not to pursue a grant, let's say the non-exclusionary discipline grants, that

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So what I rule making, no discipline.
• The chair calls Jesse Mulligan. have to go to school for a long time and have to go to school for a long
• We don't have to have take a school.
• </c> unless you go to chiropractic school unless you go to chiropractic school where<01:24:35.440><c>
• >> Absolutely. >> Thank you. through high school. He graduated early through high school.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> violations there should be discipline violations there should be discipline was<03:57:42.720><c>
• </c><03:57:51.600><c> them</c> accountable. you got to discipline them accountable. you got to discipline
• Uh, there’s no discipline, whatever it is.
• Uh, there’s no discipline, whatever it is.
• So you know I just want to discipline.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint House Committee on Tourism and Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism held an informational briefing on the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s interim action plans, current projects, contract updates, destination management action plans, and state auditor findings. Interim CEO Caroline Anderson described her role as temporary and said she was focused on identifying problems, gathering information, communicating with stakeholders, and implementing solutions. She said HTA is now operating as a typical state agency subject to state controls, but noted that HTA’s work often involves nontraditional programs that can create process errors. She also said she had directed staff to review the auditor’s findings on the destination management action plan process and that the review was posted publicly. A major topic was the search for a permanent CEO and the agency’s restructuring under SB 1571. HTA board chair Tata Po said he hoped to select a CEO within about four months, with three to six finalists expected in roughly two to two-and-a-half months, and said the job description would largely remain the same except for compensation and reporting changes under the new law. Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism representatives explained that HTA’s board is now advisory and does not approve the budget, while DBEDT retains budget authority. They also said HTA is working with the governor’s office and DBEDT on contract and budget transitions, including a possible shift to a calendar-year process so grantees and contractors have more certainty. Members pressed HTA on staffing, oversight, and accountability, especially around the destination stewardship team and the CNHA/Kilohana and HVCB contracts. HTA said the destination stewardship team supports destination management and product development, including workforce development, sports, and implementation of destination management action plans, and that staff provide direction to contractors rather than simply handing work over to them. Anderson said the stewardship team had 11 people and that the destination management side covered about 15 contracts, while the branding side had three managers overseeing nine contracts. She said the agency had 47 contracts overall and that the major contracts included CNHA/Kilohana and HVCB. Several members criticized HTA’s management history, questioned staffing qualifications and compensation, and expressed concern that the agency had lost public trust. No votes or formal actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• No smartphones before high school. No booing, please.
• The devices that have been purchased by the schools or school boards, whomever is making those purchases
• But what if you're leaving school property? Some do dual enrollment at the school.
• ... ...schools in my district in Shelby County.
• use that for... mask locker, which some schools use.

Bills: SB92 , HB9 , HB9

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: K-12 education, wireless communication devices, digital safety, social media education, classroom distraction, three-cueing system, reading instruction, structured literacy, scientific strategies, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and Norfolk Public Schools.
• and Norfolk Public Schools.
• and Norfolk Public Schools.
• and Norfolk Public Schools.
• the largest school district in this commonwealth is there when we implement this in schools there is

Committee: House Education

Keywords: House Committee Room A, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As a former school teacher and one who has family members who are school teachers, and seeing what has
• There was also recently an altercation on a school bus where a school bus assistant told the student
• Again, I’m a former school teacher. My mother was a school teacher.
• schools in South Louisiana.
• When I returned back to school, I was very afraid to When I returned back to school, I was very afraid

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee first handled several criminal justice bills related to evidence, juror privacy, probation, and sex offender supervision. HB 95, by Rep. Lecombe, updates an older statute to allow electronic access to videotaped forensic interviews of protected persons for prosecutors, defense counsel, courts, and other authorized persons; it was reported favorably. HB 55, by Rep. Villio, prohibits public disclosure of juror identifying information such as names, addresses, and contact information; after testimony from District Attorney Tony Clayton about juror harassment and intimidation, the committee adopted a small amendment removing outdated language and reported the bill favorably with amendments. HB 125, by Rep. Horton, revises supervised release for certain sex offenders to address jurisdiction and notification issues, especially when violations occur outside Louisiana; after testimony from DOC and probation and parole officials and a witness describing victim-protection monitoring, it was reported favorably with amendments. HB 158, also by Rep. Horton, increases the maximum custodial treatment period for technical probation violations from 90 to 180 days, but witnesses raised concerns that the language was too broad and could impose extra jail time beyond treatment; the author agreed to work on clarifying language before floor debate, and the bill was reported favorably. HB 169, by Rep. Horton, makes probationers or parolees responsible for extradition costs if they are able to pay, and it was reported favorably. The committee then considered HB 133, by Rep. Newell, which strengthens penalties and treatment requirements for battery of a school teacher and related offenses. A large amendment package was adopted to add aggravated battery and second-degree battery involving students or school employees, define terms, require counseling and evaluations in certain juvenile cases, and adjust juvenile disposition provisions. Teachers and supporters testified about assaults in schools and the need to protect educators, while district attorneys warned that some of the amended language—especially the shift to “serious bodily injury” and some definitional changes—could make prosecutions harder or create unintended constitutional issues. Rep. Newell agreed to continue working with prosecutors to tighten the language before the bill reaches the floor, and HB 133 was reported favorably as amended. Later, the committee heard HB 821 by Rep. McFarland, which moves the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools from GOSEP to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement; the change was described as largely administrative and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also took up HB 399 by Rep. Zerang, which extends the terminally ill/incapacitated inmate release window from 60 to 120 days. Secretary Gary Westcott and DOC officials explained that the program is tightly vetted, applies to inmates who are truly at end of life, and includes victim notification and maximum supervision; supporters, including medical and faith-based witnesses, emphasized dignity, hospice care, and the practical need for more time to complete release planning. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, HB 296 by Rep. Knox repeals the inactive Reentry Advisory Council and the Offender Rehabilitation Workforce Development Act, and HB 168 by Rep. Freiburg creates a transitional reentry program for female parolees within six months of release; both were presented as public-safety and reentry measures, with strong support from reentry advocates, business groups, and faith-based organizations, and both were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Number two is the school for the Blind graduation rate, and 3 is the school for the deaf graduation rate
• OK, that improved a great many of the school districts or of the of the schools in Oklahoma City, but
• The schools do not get any ad valorem taxes.
• So, both schools are obviously schools.
• So, they have to do the School of the Blind, the School of the Deaf, Oklahoma School of Science and Math

Committee: House A&B Human Services Subcommittee

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And now I have a grandchild that I’ll be able to volunteer in his school.
• I also, you know, went to law school when I got out of prison.
• I have a very good short-term memory, which has served me well in, like, taking law school exams and
• And so, no, I was not asking him to fire or discipline her.
• I was asking him to use his influence to... ...discipline her.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The hearing resumed on day two of the Legislative Ethics Board fact-finding matter involving Representative Tara Simmons. After opening remarks and confirmation that board members had not engaged in outside research or ex parte communications, Simmons’s counsel moved to dismiss two allegations at the close of the board staff’s case: that Simmons pressured the Administrative Office of the Courts to alter a contract in favor of her employer, and that she improperly combined a legislative proviso for AEJG with a personal donation to the organization. Board staff opposed the motion, arguing the evidence showed Simmons’s legislative and private conduct were intertwined and that the board had enough evidence to require a defense. After deliberation, the board denied the motion to dismiss and proceeded to hear defense testimony. The first defense witness, Sharon Navas, testified that she met Simmons through advocacy work, later hired her at the Equity and Education Coalition (EEC), and maintained written employment policies intended to separate Simmons’s legislative role from her work for EEC. Navas said Simmons was never compensated for lobbying or legislative acts, that EEC paid her from unrestricted funds, and that Simmons did not work on the AEJG dashboard project or participate in the contract dispute with Anthony Powers and Chris Stanley. Navas described the proviso request and later contract issues as separate from Simmons’s legislative duties, and said she continued to pay invoices while the project was being completed. Simmons then testified about her background, legislative career, disability accommodations, and extensive efforts to seek ethics advice before taking outside employment or pursuing provisos. She said she repeatedly consulted House ethics counsel and reviewed prior board decisions to ensure her outside work and legislative actions were separated. Simmons described her relationship with Anthony Powers, the dashboard project, the proviso process, and her understanding that the work was distinct from her legislative role. The hearing paused for lunch after part of Simmons’s direct examination, with testimony set to continue after the break.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1694, charter schools meeting reporting audits.
• SB 1695, expenditure limit school district repeal.
• SB 1697, school and middle school personnel requirements.
• SB 1697 school, middle school personnel requirements. Education.
• SCR 1042, expenditure; school district. SCR 1043, school district executive expenditure limitation.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:37:42.560><c> the</c> from our participating schools, the from our participating schools, the
• So the awards differ from school to school.
• So the awards differ from school to school.
• So the awards differ from school to school.
• The awards differ from school to school.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The program now has tripled in size to 34 participating schools, nearly 40% of eligible schools statewide
• and an intermediate school with fifth- and sixth-graders.
• Fiscal discipline remains central to this data work.
• I mean, those are great schools that are really, and for the young.
• I mean, those are great schools that are really, and for the young.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The hearing in Barnstable opened with remarks from the House and Senate co-chairs about the importance of holding Ways and Means budget hearings on the Cape, especially given the region’s seasonal economy and infrastructure needs. The committee then heard testimony from Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones on the governor’s FY27 budget proposal. She highlighted funding for workforce programs including the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, Career Technical Initiative, registered apprenticeship, YouthWorks, reentry workforce programs, and services for young adults with disabilities. She also discussed MassHire career centers, the MassHire Innovation Project, and the Department of Unemployment Assistance modernization effort, noting improved call wait times and claims processing, but acknowledging continued challenges and federal funding uncertainty. Members asked about job-seeker barriers such as child care, housing, and transportation; domestic outmigration of young workers; youth work permits; unemployment insurance costs and the COVID assessment on employers; and the state’s unemployment rate and UI trust fund solvency. Jones and Undersecretary Josh Cutler explained the difference between workforce training funds and the unemployment trust fund, described the statewide trigger that extends unemployment benefits from 26 to 30 weeks when regional unemployment averages 5.2 percent, and said the administration is reviewing the trust fund with labor and business stakeholders. They also said the administration is trying to preserve front-line DUA staffing while shifting resources to customer service and adjudication, including a Friday adjudication pilot and seasonal hires. Senators and representatives also pressed the administration on regional equity in workforce funding, especially for Hampshire Franklin MassHire, which was described as serving a large rural area with fewer resources than other regions. Administration officials said they are reviewing MassHire funding formulas and modernizing the system with a policy committee and state workforce board input, but did not offer an immediate fix. The committee also heard that early childhood education apprenticeships are expanding quickly, with state funding leveraged to secure federal grants and support new Grow Awards. The hearing then moved to the Executive Office of Economic Development, where Secretary Eric Paley outlined House 2 proposals for economic development, including support for the Community One Stop for Growth, rural economic development, workforce partnerships, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, AI, small business assistance, tourism, and tax incentives. Undersecretary Leila D’Amilia followed with testimony on consumer affairs and business regulation, describing funding for consumer protection, banking oversight, occupational licensure, and public safety inspections.

Transcript Highlights:

• schools, nearly 40% of eligible schools statewide.
• And I think trying to create more expansion as early as middle school.
• and an intermediate school with fifth- and sixth-graders.
• Fiscal discipline remains central to this data work.
• I mean, those are great schools that are really for the young.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Young men now make up the majority of California's disconnected from work and school.
• and high school.
• and high school.
• But at the school level, government level, at foundations, people would At the school level, government
• So if we think about what is school, school prepares a child for the world that they are going to be

Keywords: 988, house, all