Transcript Highlights:

• A key part of the legacy of the YMCA's Youth and Government program empowers young people to learn how
• The bill strengthens the teacher workforce by expanding access to teacher apprenticeship programs to
• It clarifies Title I spending flexibility and ensures charter schools access to available programs and
• It strengthens early learning governance by shifting oversight of district-run VPK programs from early
• learning coalitions to school districts and allowing public school VPK programs to verify attendance

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and introductions recognizing Dr. Thomas Clem as Doctor of the Day and a YMCA delegation, including Youth and Government students, in the gallery. Senators also noted the YMCA’s 175th anniversary and its community service, and later offered birthday wishes to the President. The chamber then took up several special-order bills. SB 100 adopted the 2026 Florida Statutes and the 2025 session’s enacted statute materials; SB 102 removed provisions that had been repealed or expired; and SB 104 served as the general reviser’s bill, deleting obsolete language, updating cross-references, and correcting drafting errors. All three passed 36-0. The Senate also passed SB 320 on administrative efficiency in public schools, which reduces district-level requirements, expands teacher apprenticeship and certification flexibility, streamlines assessments and budgeting, and adjusts VPK and facility-planning rules; Senator Simon said the goal was to reduce burdens while maintaining accountability. The Senate further passed SB 7010, allowing state and local deferred compensation plans to offer Roth post-tax contributions in addition to pre-tax options. Senator Mayfield explained the bill would give DFS and local governments authority to add that option. The chamber also withdrew SB 1720, relating to public school personnel compensation, from further consideration. At the end of the session, the Senate waived rules so all bills passed that day could be immediately certified to the House, and then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the clarification, certification will be made by the local fire department? Yes.
• week after week, problems with the PACE program.
• And I say this by way of having had several different windows into this program.
• I've been involved with a lot of similar types of programs.
• CEQA should be stopping many of these programs.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When I got to able, we had a program. We still have a program called Acela.
• And that was just to keep the program going.
• The AWS program. We're partnering with OMEs to implement the AWS program, which is basically AI.
• I can't figure out this program.
• Program.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, 14,826 for an increase in the ESA program.
• Uh, 14,826 for an increase in the ESA program.
• for an increase in the ESA program. for an increase in the ESA program.
• That total get their certifications up.
• . program. program.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 12 March, 2026; 10:30 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee began by noting the plan to suspend the rules later that afternoon so several measures could be taken up on the floor, including bills that may be on final passage or contain reverse repealers. Members were reminded to clearly identify which bills were final passage measures so the chamber would know it might be the last opportunity to vote on them. The committee then moved through a series of appropriations bills. In the education and judicial budgets, Senator DeBar explained House Bills 1928, 1933, 1935, 1936, and 1937, covering the legislative operations budget, DFA buildings reappropriations, K-12 education, MPB, and the library commission. He described increases for teacher pay, special education supplements, testing contracts, ELC coaches, financial literacy, ESA funding, and other adjustments, along with reductions in some areas and a decline in student enrollment affecting the funding formula. The bills were adopted by title sufficient, do pass, with strike-all motions where applicable. Senator Wiggins presented House Bills 1924, 1926, 1927, 1930, and 1931, covering the Attorney General, Capital Postconviction Council, district attorneys and staff, the Office of State Public Defender, and the Supreme Court/AOC budget. He highlighted salary increases for agency attorneys, human trafficking funding, new district attorney positions from judicial redistricting, public defender support for family defenders and the rural legal services pilot, and major court-system items such as judicial salary increases, youth court intake, CCID courts, and the MyCIDS replacement system. Questions focused on the meaning of personal services, vacancy funding, and possible use of opioid settlement funds for AOC; the committee was told those issues could be handled through the reverse repealer or other vehicles. The bills were advanced, with the committee noting which ones contained reverse repealers and which were final action. Subcommittee 5 and 6 then handled human services, health, licensing, and transportation-related measures. House Bills 1906, 1909, 1912, and 1921 covered Child Protective Services, Human Services, Medicaid, and Rehabilitation Services, with explanations for new attorney positions, salary and vacancy funding, SNAP administration, Medicaid agency funding, and restoring positions in rehab services. House Bill 1908 for the Department of Health added money for Jackson water litigation and public health priorities such as obesity management, remote monitoring, cancer screenings, and maternal-infant health. House Bills 1913, 1914, 1915, 1917, and 1918 were taken up together for licensing boards, with most changes described as cloud services, PIN restoration, or vacancy funding; only the Board of Medical Licensure bill had a reverse repealer. Finally, Senator Thompson handled special fund and transportation bills, including the Port Authority, waterway and river districts, Yellow Creek, and MDOT. He noted overtime concerns at the Port Authority, special-fund increases for contractual services and capital improvements at the water districts, and MDOT increases for salaries, commodities, equipment, and the three-year highway plan. Senator Wiggins raised a question about utility relocation costs in transportation projects, saying some municipalities were being told to pay those costs themselves; Senator Thompson said he would follow up with MDOT.

Transcript Highlights:

• our wood that was produced locally, and they have said that the bill complies with all of the certificates
• The difference is we would have local certification versus paying out of staters to come into New Mexico
• So this is a local grown program.
• Any program that doesn't meet that standard will make all those provisions in the codes unusable.
• Uh, program, uh, of working families tax credit.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some counties maintain clear designation and training programs, while others have limited or no formal
• Is this telling the counties that they should establish it and have the same programs in place or the
• They have access to attempts that they've made to link someone to a full-service partnership program,
• My primary concern, as I've shared with you, is just that we have right now a report on pilot program
• programs, peer support programs, and other innovative approaches that complement traditional care.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:18:57.720> have Hampshire Grant Advantage Program have Hampshire Grant Advantage Program
• such units shall meet certification such units shall meet certification standards<01:17:23.560><
• <01:17:55.199> is<01:17:55.719> in<01:17:56.040> that certification is in that certification
• licensing team and the certification licensing team and the certification team<01:47:47.880>
• > already team the certification team is already team the certification team is already working

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for SB 182 on School Teaching Training and Mentoring - the School Teacher Training and Mentoring Program
• This bill establishes the School Teacher Training Mentor Program within the Department of Education.
• The purpose of this program is to increase the effectiveness and implementation of best practices of
• That is what we're doing with this program. I know this is out of order Mr.
• Last year we had legislation that really revamped the future of teacher certification and how we get

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• holded the policy for approximately 350. thousand Venezuelans under the Temporary Protective Status Program
• DREAM Act, which I introduced a long time ago, and my pleadings with President Obama to create that program
• But there's an enormously increased burden on the plaintiffs. in order to get class certification, is
• So class certification does require more steps, but it's entirely appropriate given that what you're
• What's it going to cost for me to do a certification for class as a opposed to me just filing and paying

Keywords: universal injunctions, legislative reforms, judicial authority, executive power, balance of power, judicial overreach

Summary: During this meeting, the committee focused on the implications of universal injunctions, which have become a significant concern in recent years. The discussion centered around various legislative proposals aimed at addressing the perceived overreach of district judges who issue nationwide injunctions that affect policies across the entire country. Several members expressed the belief that such injunctions undermine judicial authority and disrupt the balance of power between the judiciary and executive branches. Expert witnesses testified about the historical context of universal injunctions and the necessity for reforms that would limit the power of courts to grant remedies benefitting non-parties.

Transcript Highlights:

• support of this program. support of this program.
• It's the program who's it's the program?
• the program. That's sure that's fine. the program. That's sure that's fine.
• <01:38:17.920> process<01:38:18.639> and<01:38:18.880> program certification process
• and program certification process and program guidelines<01:38:19.679> of<01:38:19.840> the

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that has pre-scripted, pre-programmed exports that are already in the program that users can automatically
• program it.
• I can tell you that's separate programming from these guys here.
• And then we have a second certification.
• So it's a brand-new program.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The subcommittee of the Tax Reform and Relief Committee met with a quorum to begin its study of whether the content of North Dakota real estate tax statements should be revised to improve transparency. Legislative Council staff reviewed the background for the study, including House Bill 1176, current statutory requirements for tax statements, and recent changes such as separate line items for bonded debt, primary residence credit, and legacy fund-related amounts. The Tax Department then explained the current statement format and noted that the form is prescribed and approved by the tax commissioner, with changes typically driven by statute and implemented collaboratively with counties and vendors. County officials from the North Dakota Association of Counties described the full annual process for preparing budgets, setting levies, calculating taxable values, and issuing notices and tax statements. They said counties spend significant time coordinating with taxing districts, neighboring counties, and software vendors, and that the new budget hearing notices and valuation notices have not generated much public response. Members raised concerns about the usefulness and clarity of certain line items, especially the legislative tax relief calculation and the primary residence credit, and discussed whether the current statement creates confusion rather than transparency. Testimony also addressed the 3% cap, mill levy worksheets, assessment cycles, and the role of county auditors and tax directors in maintaining accurate values. The committee also heard from software vendors CPT and Tyler Technologies about how legislative changes are programmed into tax systems and how online taxpayer portals can provide more detailed breakdowns of tax bills. Vendors said changes required by law are generally absorbed in contracts rather than billed directly to counties, and they demonstrated web tools and pie-chart style breakdowns that show where tax dollars go. NDACO presented a survey of eight counties estimating tax statement preparation and mailing costs, concluding that outsourced printing tends to be cheaper on average and that total statewide tax statement costs may be roughly $600,000, though the estimate was based on limited data. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational and focused on gathering testimony and identifying issues for possible future recommendations or bill drafts.

Transcript Highlights:

• as the program administrator.
• So it's a great program.
• funded programs.
• I applied for this program, and I was lucky enough to get this program.
• program all these housing tax credit program all these programs<01:08:42.600> are<01:08:42.880

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We administer other programs as well: state tax credit programs, the Community Development tax credit
• tax program the Community Development tax credit<00:43:16.000> program<00:43:16.800> as
• as well as some loan credit program as well as some loan programs<00:43:18.119> and<00:43:18.319
• on page 160 line 531 and Pad programs on page 160 line 531 and Pad programs did<03:23:37.600>
• that is a professionals health program that is a program<03:23:49.920> it's<03:23:50.120>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first reviewed House Bill 1, focusing on the legislative branch budget, especially the Senate and House lines. Members discussed that the Senate’s fiscal year 2025 adjusted authorized amount was higher than 2024 actual spending, largely due to personnel, benefits, and travel, and one member proposed a $500,000 annual cut. Staff explained that any reduction would need to be allocated across specific line items such as personnel, benefits, and travel, and noted that the Senate budget is entirely General Funds. After discussion of how the adjusted authorized figures were calculated and why the branch no longer staffs some joint committees as it once did, the committee moved on without taking a vote on that section. The committee then heard a detailed presentation from the New Hampshire Retirement System. NHRS officials described their statutory administrative budget, which is funded through the retirement trust rather than the General Fund, and said the FY 2026-2027 increase is driven by IT modernization, cybersecurity, a new strategic plan, and additional staff positions. They also reviewed the system’s funding progress, clean audit opinions, investment performance, and changes to asset allocation, while noting that several recent pension-related laws required major database changes. Members questioned the large increase in salaries and benefits, the need for new employees versus contractors, the purpose of training costs, and the source of the Group Two benefit funding. NHRS said the governor’s budget includes General Funds for Group Two benefit changes, with $5 million in FY 2026 and $27.9 million in FY 2027, and that the figures reflect the governor’s recommendation and related HB 2 provisions. Committee members also asked about employer and employee contribution rates for Group Two police and fire members, which NHRS said were not included in the budget document but were about 31.2% for police and 30.35% for fire, with employee shares around 11.55% and 11.8%. The committee did not make a decision on the NHRS budget during this exchange and indicated it would review the details further before returning to it later. The committee then heard from the Community Development Finance Authority on the State Treasury Department budget line for the required state match to administer the federal Community Development Block Grant program. CDFA explained that its $280,000 annual request for FY 2026 and FY 2027, totaling $560,000, supports administration, technical assistance, contracting, and monitoring of roughly $19 million in annual federal CDBG funds. Members asked about the leverage of the state match, oversight of projects, staffing, and grant prioritization. CDFA said it has 18 employees, uses public hearings and a scoring system to prioritize awards, and conducts both desk and on-site monitoring, with annual audits to ensure compliance. No vote was taken on the CDFA item in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• and the Portfolio Reinvestment Program, California's most effective affordable housing programs.
• Obviously, we need $100 billion in this program right now.
• Obviously, we need $100 billion in this program right now.
• So, well, there are clearly are other cities that want to Programs.
• Self-certification of homelessness was already accepted in Homekey.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• program, and $182.6 million for the SHIP program.
• and the accelerated programs, retain that where it stands for the additional bonuses and program costs
• I saw that on the My Safe Florida Home program, we put $100 million into the regular program.
• programs that we're just providing?
• who are teaching those programs.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, doctor and guest introductions, and then took up Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, on mental health. Senator Bradley described the bill as a major criminal justice and behavioral health reform measure that would expand pretrial mental health diversion, strengthen treatment-based probation conditions, broaden grant uses for mental health and substance abuse programs, add Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, require certain DOC mental health evaluations, and create a Florida Behavioral Health Data Repository. Senators from both parties spoke in strong support, emphasizing treatment over incarceration, public safety, data collection, and the Murphy family’s role in advancing the bill. The Senate passed the bill 37-0 and then approved 37 co-sponsors. The chamber then received the Senate’s 2025-26 General Appropriations Bill, SB 2500, with Chair Hooper outlining a $117.4 billion budget that he said reduces spending, preserves reserves, and includes major investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and reporting requirements. Committee chairs summarized their portions: K-12 funding at $34.7 billion with increases for FEFP, scholarships, VPK, school hardening, and school safety; higher education at $11.5 billion with workforce, nursing, reading, autism, and student aid investments; health and human services with a $1.8 billion increase for Medicaid, mental health, opioid response, disability services, and veterans programs; criminal and civil justice at $7.6 billion for corrections, juvenile justice, law enforcement, courts, and judgeships; transportation/tourism/economic development at about $18 billion including roads, housing, Visit Florida, and cultural grants; and agriculture/environment/general government with major Everglades, water quality, citrus, food bank, and agency IT funding. Members then questioned several budget items, especially education funding formulas, the shift of scholarship dollars below the line, the impact on public school districts, AP/IB and other accelerated program funding, the APD wait list, opioid settlement spending, arts grants, and the My Safe Florida Home and condo pilot programs. Chairs generally said scholarship and accelerated-program dollars were being restructured for transparency and flexibility rather than cut, that school districts would still receive funding based on enrollment, and that APD and other human services issues would continue to be worked out in conference. The budget discussion concluded with remarks praising staff and noting a 4% across-the-board pay raise for state employees and targeted increases for law enforcement and firefighters, followed by a recognition for FAMU Day at the Capitol.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're not even required to hold any specialized certifications.
• And that certification is simply passing a test.
• Next up is David Collins representing George Washington University Program on Extremism.
• My name is David Collins and I'm a senior research fellow at George Washington University's Program on
• It removes the requirement that the attorney has to have a criminal trial certification.

Transcript Highlights:

• Here in Texas, in all programs, it's about 24% of our population that are enrolled in some kind of program
• Recently, Minnesota's Applied Behavioral Analysis Program, or ABA program, stole national headlines.
• And ensuring that program integrity.
• Texas has a very strong program.
• But some programs maybe are lifelong programs for independence for But some programs maybe are lifelong

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services convened to discuss interim charges regarding fraud, waste, and abuse in Texas human services, particularly focusing on Medicaid and childcare programs. The meeting highlighted the importance of preventing misuse of taxpayer funds, with testimony from various stakeholders emphasizing the need for increased oversight and accountability in these programs. Key points included the alarming rise in healthcare fraud in other states, the necessity for Texas to enhance its fraud prevention measures, and the potential financial repercussions of failing to meet federal compliance standards. Several committee members expressed concerns about the impact of fraud on vulnerable populations, particularly those relying on Medicaid services. Testimonies from experts underscored the effectiveness of Texas's Office of Inspector General (OIG) in combating fraud, yet pointed out existing vulnerabilities, such as inconsistent enforcement and the need for better data sharing among agencies. The discussion also touched on the challenges faced by hospice care providers, with a significant increase in the number of hospices in Texas raising concerns about quality and oversight. The committee heard from various witnesses, including representatives from health plans and advocacy organizations, who provided insights into the complexities of managing Medicaid and the importance of maintaining program integrity. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further explore legislative solutions to enhance oversight and ensure that resources are directed to those in genuine need.

Transcript Highlights:

• constitutionally allowed at the federal level and certain requirements to make sure those programs fit
• may u for school districts<00:05:08.440> to<00:05:08.680> approve<00:05:09.479> programs
• districts to approve programs districts to approve programs constitutionally<00:05:11.440> allowed
• fit with practical sure those programs fit with practical concerns<00:05:17.160> of<00:05:17.280
• This bill simply establishes the nuclear energy development grant program within the Kentucky Nuclear

Keywords: Meeting start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:10 SB 244 Discussion 00:01:16 SB 244 Vote 00:02:00 SB 19 Discussion 00:03:30 SB 19 Vote 00:08:35 SB 63 Discussion 00:10:52 SB 63 Vote 00:14:47 SB 179 Discussion 00:16:28 SB 179 Vote 00:18:38 SB 25 Discussion 00:20:00 SB 25 Vote 00:25:35 SB 6 Discussion 00:27:10 SB 6 Vote 00:30:37, 958, all

Summary: The House Appropriations and Revenue Committee met on March 13, 2025, with a quorum present and took up several Senate bills. Senate Bill 244, relating to Department of Law operations, was presented as a cleanup bill and reported favorably with 18 yes votes and no opposition. Senate Bill 19, concerning moments of silence and reflection, was amended with PHS 1 to add a moral instruction component and related school-district provisions; members raised questions about the research cited, the logistics of student release time, and possible fiscal effects. The bill was reported favorably with 15 yes, 3 no, and 1 pass, and a title amendment was adopted. Senate Bill 63, dealing with street-legal special purpose vehicles, was amended to make local participation optional, clarify motorcycle-style insurance requirements, and address registration and inspection rules; after a committee amendment was rolled into the substitute, it was reported favorably with 18 yes and 1 pass. The committee also considered Senate Bill 179, which establishes a nuclear energy development grant program within the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority. Testimony explained that the bill sets aside $10 million from an existing appropriation, including $2 million for workforce training at the University of Kentucky’s engineering school in Paducah. The bill was reported favorably with 19 yes votes and no opposition. Senate Bill 25, a housing measure allowing industrial revenue bonds for large multifamily housing, was substantially expanded through PHS 2 and a committee amendment to incorporate provisions from House Bill 9, House Bill 643, Senate Bill 85, and budget-related language; the committee reported it favorably with 16 yes votes and 3 passes, and adopted a title amendment. Finally, Senate Bill 6, which revises education reporting and funding provisions, was amended by PHS 1 to require reporting of fringe costs in K-12 spending and to modify SEEK funding for virtual schools and English as a Second Language add-ons. Members asked whether the changes affected other funding streams and how the SEEK formula would be applied, and the sponsor clarified that the virtual-school provision applies only to SEEK. The bill was reported favorably with 16 yes votes and 3 passes.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is such a great program. It's a great program. And they led, right?
• Daily programs, daily programs, daily days per week and includes evening sessions.
• [Witness/Staff] ...but the program is a good program.
• We offer the programs and we want people to take advantage of the programs.
• and the agency certification.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing was held in Clinton Town Hall as part of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means’ budget review, with local officials welcoming legislators and noting the long agenda of many panels. The main presentation was from Secretary Terrence Reedy of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, who outlined the Healey-Driscoll administration’s FY26 proposal for the secretariat, including a $1.7 billion budget and a 7% increase over FY25. He described investments in emergency preparedness, hate-crime prevention, reentry programming, technology modernization, internships, and public safety training, while also noting some reductions driven by resource constraints, including cuts to certain grant programs and administrative costs. Committee members also raised concerns about federal uncertainty and how it could affect state budgets and public safety planning. A major portion of the questioning focused on the Department of Correction. Secretary Reedy and Commissioner Sean Jenkins said the biggest challenges are staffing, officer wellness, facility safety, and contraband—especially K2. They described steps taken at MCI Souza and other facilities, including reducing population at the maximum-security unit, changing management, removing metal products and free weights, improving screening and roll calls, adding a rapid response team, and increasing investigative and technological efforts to combat K2. They also discussed the closure of MCI Concord, saying it was driven by high maintenance costs and staffing needs, and explained that savings are being used to improve staffing patterns and address deferred maintenance over time rather than producing immediate large budget reductions. Members also questioned the budget’s impact on police training and community policing. The administration defended the increase in police academy tuition from $3,200 to $6,000 as reflecting true training costs and said it would still be subsidized by the state, while acknowledging the burden on small municipalities. They said the MPTC is expanding regional training and considering proposals such as Greenfield Community College’s. On community policing, officials emphasized uniform statewide training, de-escalation, and communication skills. The State Police also announced an outside review of the academy by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and said the next class will be split into two smaller groups to improve oversight and allow quicker implementation of recommendations. Other topics included ICE and federal immigration enforcement, with Reedy saying state law prohibits Massachusetts law enforcement from acting in a civil immigration capacity and that no state dollars were used in the Tufts-related ICE operation mentioned by a member. Senators and representatives also raised the upcoming FIFA World Cup, warning that it will require significant public safety resources and likely federal funding. Additional discussion covered restorative justice and juvenile diversion, health care costs in DOC, electronic health records, and the need for more diverse and culturally competent public safety staffing. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program by Senator Rodriguez. Senator Rodriguez, welcome back.
• CS for SB 182 on school teacher training and mentoring, school teacher training and mentoring program
• The purpose of this program is to increase the effectiveness and implementation of best practices of
• Under the bill, the Department of Education shall establish program standards and a contract template
• And that's what we're doing with this program. And I know this is a little out of order, Mr.

Summary: The Pre-K-12 Education Appropriations Subcommittee met with a quorum present and took up two bills. First, it heard SB 1318 on the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program, which makes a technical clarification that when a scholarship account is closed, any remaining funds revert but do not revert to the state. There was no substantive opposition or debate, and the bill was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then considered CS for SB 182, which creates a school teacher training and mentor program within the Department of Education. The bill authorizes school districts and charter schools to place current or retired high-performing teachers in D- or F-rated schools to mentor classroom teachers, with mentors required to have at least three years of experience, a highly effective evaluation, and eligibility for a stipend of up to $3,000. A late-filed amendment was adopted to align the bill with the House version by setting the mentoring term to one grading period, capping the number of mentees per mentor, and clarifying use of enrichment funds when available. Senators asked about implementation, including timing, logistics, and whether mentors would remain within the same school; the sponsor said principals would manage assignments and that the program would operate within the same school. Testimony came from a seven-year-old student, Kyler Nixon, who urged support for the bill, and his mother, Kiara Nixon, who also spoke in favor. Additional support was voiced by committee members, and CS for SB 182 was reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, the chair thanked members and staff for their work during the session, noted it may be the committee’s last policy meeting, and the committee adjourned without further business.