Video & Transcript Research : 'student testing'

Page 161 of 500
NM
Transcript Highlights:
  • And that's my only concern, is that, you know, these tests... a lot of time and energy, and we really
  • The reasonable assurance test is the test. But how we define...
  • Let's say it didn't get enough students; you know, I wouldn't teach that class.
  • That's within the institution's control, or if there's zero students that sign up for the class.
  • And then, Madam Chair, an expert, which could potentially pass down to our students and teachers and
AR

Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session

JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE Apr 28th, 2026

JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:
  • grants from the department of the interior the first one is replaced the The second one is to hire students
  • During the transition, the department continued to perform nuclear testing, but it should have been under
  • This is a new contract for radiation testing and analysis at Nuclear 1.
  • This is a new contract for radiation testing and analysis at Nuclear 1.
  • Contract number nine: University of Arkansas with Heron Consulting for guidance on student health insurance
Summary: The committee considered and approved several temporary appropriation requests in Section B, including spending authority for the Court of Appeals to pay appointed counsel in criminal appeals, Commerce/Aeronautics airport and aviation grants, and Insurance Department items for workers’ compensation benefits and premium tax refunds. It also approved ARPA-related requests in Section C to return unused federal funds from DHS aging, mental health, substance abuse, and Older Americans Act grants. In Section D, the committee reviewed and approved Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requests, including Agriculture grants for wildfire preparedness and forestry capacity, a large Commerce broadband BEAD request, environmental recycling-related reallocations, and Oil and Gas Commission grants for facility repairs and sample preservation. Members questioned the broadband program’s audit process and performance safeguards; the State Broadband Director said the funds are federal, subject to audits, and payments are released only after engineering certification of completed work. The committee also approved DHS reallocations in Section E, including major transfers within Medical Services from hospital medical appropriations to private and public nursing home lines, as well as transfers for children and family services, developmental disabilities, and youth services. The committee then reviewed cash fund requests, miscellaneous federal grants, pay plan and performance fund transfers, methods of finance, and a large set of contracts. A Northwest Arkansas Community College official explained storm-damage repairs and insurance settlement issues, and DHS explained its hospital medical transfer was moving excess appropriation rather than cash. Members also questioned several UAPB tobacco prevention subgrants, especially arts-based outreach, and asked for more data on effectiveness; the committee later voted to expunge and re-refer the J-2 item for further review at a later ALC meeting. Additional discussion covered a DEQ grant to Free Geek of Arkansas for e-waste recycling, a UAPB tobacco program, and various contracts for universities, DHS services, corrections, and public safety. The meeting ended with reports filed for information and a brief member comment thanking others for concern after a tornado in Stone County; no one was injured.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Local Government Committee Jun 17th, 2026

Local Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • It was the test of an idea through pop-ups and temporary operations.
  • It was the test of an I know.
  • It was the test of an idea through pop-ups and temporary operations.
  • Damian Julian, full-time college student, in opposition. Thank you.
  • And Julian, full-time college student, in opposition. Thank you.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Sep 9th, 2025

New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • New Mexico's spaceport is a viable and valuable place for aerospace testing and operations.
  • Other companies are planning various activities, including hypersonic tests, rocket tests, and aviation
  • tests.
  • The ships are being assembled, as I said, in Phoenix, and they will be ground tested there.
  • And keep creating these jobs for our future children and our students that are in school now.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, December 9, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • student body president.
  • Superintendent Balgen is students.
  • students with disabilities, for students with disabilities, sometimes<02:11:33.280> even<02:11
  • As we look to the nation's students.
  • <02:35:10.000> I schools and our students in limbo. I schools and our students in limbo.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • It revises and removes prior prior station of students.
  • These processes consume valuable time and resources that should be spent supporting student out students
  • , students and teachers.
  • My name is to Zahra Fields and a 3rd year student at FSU College of Law and a proud student advocate
  • They outline strategies for handling student transitions as agreement will now include training student
Keywords: 999, senate, all
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Mar 26th, 2025

Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • UWF has a 60% female student body, a female president, and a female student body president.
  • Accounting students hold the record for graduation and passing the CPA test on the first time.
  • That is tied to a thing called student success, but you can't have student success without ensuring that
  • Many of our students are first-generation college students and even first-generation Americans.
  • Our goal is to grow our student population to 25,000 students by 2028, bringing energy, diversity, and
Summary: The committee first heard a confirmation from UCF trustee reappointee Mr. Christie, who described his background in medical devices and prior board service and said he wanted to help UCF strengthen its financial foundation, workforce alignment, and engineering and technology pipeline. Members asked about UCF’s direction, and he emphasized the university’s role in producing engineers and supporting Florida’s space and technology sectors. The committee then moved to the higher education budget for fiscal year 2025-26, which was presented as an $11.5 billion total budget including local funds and focused heavily on workforce education, nursing, agriculture technology, tutoring, student aid, and university initiatives. Chair Harrell highlighted increases for school district workforce education, Florida College System operations, career and technical education grants, the GATE program, nursing education through USF’s Florida Center for Nursing, UF/IFAS rural and agricultural programs, UCF’s Community School Grant Program, UF’s literacy and tutoring initiatives, autism and neurodevelopment services, full funding for major scholarship programs, and $250 million for state universities through the Board of Governors. Senator Davis asked about line grant flexibility, and Harrell said a conforming bill would address the details. The budget proposal was adopted as a recommendation to the full Appropriations Committee, with staff authorized to make technical corrections. The committee then took up a series of confirmations, beginning with Florida State University reappointee Peter Collins, who emphasized his long FSU ties, leadership on the board, and goal of keeping FSU on a path toward top-10 status and AAU membership. Rebecca Matthews, a new University of West Florida appointee, discussed her education-related volunteer work, Florida Education Foundation service, and interest in supporting UWF’s continued excellence; senators questioned her on Title IX and she said she would support student protections and compliance. Rachel Moyah, another UWF appointee, highlighted her education, school board experience, and priorities of student safety, fiscal discipline, and workforce readiness; she also said she would comply with Title IX and other applicable rules. Ashley Ross, also nominated to UWF, said she would focus on university advancement, military ties, cybersecurity, civil engineering, and strong governance, and agreed that Title IX protections should be preserved and advanced. The most extensive questioning came during the confirmation of Adam Kessel, a UWF appointee and Heritage Foundation fellow, who was asked about prior writings on privatizing public universities, his comments about the GI Bill, and his views on free speech and Project 2025. Kessel said he did not recommend privatizing Florida universities, clarified that his comments about the GI Bill and over-enrollment were about broader higher education policy, and said he supports veterans and the GI Bill. He described his higher education work as focused on civic education, accreditation, student success, tenure, and free speech, and said trustees should improve campus culture through policies, training, and institutional neutrality. Public testimony on UWF was sharply divided: former UWF leaders and community members warned that the new slate of trustees and their vote to make Scott Yenor chair had chilled donations, enrollment, and community trust, while a James Madison Institute representative praised Kessel’s scholarship and thoughtful approach. The committee also heard from FAMU reappointment Belvin Perry, who cited his judicial career and board service and said his goal is to support student success, retain strong faculty and staff, and help FAMU continue rising in national standing. Finally, the committee began hearing from remote appointees, including UCF nominee Mark Philburn, who emphasized his construction, affordable housing, and higher education board experience, and FSU nominee Peter Jones, who described his finance and investment background and long service to FSU boards and committees. The last nominee heard before the transcript ended was Florida Gulf Coast appointee Paul Applegarth, whose audio issues delayed his remarks; he began by noting his prior federal confirmation, military service, and GI Bill-supported education.
MD

Maryland 2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session, 3/20/2026 #1

Maryland Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Uh, but what's more exciting is we have three students with us in the gallery behind us.
  • I move the adoption of the testing.
  • <00:46:32.880> loan for repayment of eligible student loan for repayment of eligible student
  • Program students are Maryland.
  • I used to tell my students, I taught church, religion, and politics.
Summary: The Senate convened with 38 members present and a quorum, then began with an invocation and several ceremonial introductions. The chamber recognized pioneering women of the Maryland State Police for Women’s History Month, including the original six female graduates and other firsts in the department, and also introduced the day’s doctor and a student intern. The Senate agreed to journalize the remarks honoring the Maryland State Police guests. The body then took up several Finance Committee bills, adopting committee amendments and favorable reports without objection on Senate Bills 385, 387, 389, 753, 469, and 608, each of which was ordered printed for third reading. SB 385 concerns immunization, screening, and preventive-service recommendations and pharmacist administration; SB 387 restricts predatory pricing and use of personal data by food retailers and delivery services; SB 389 makes transit-oriented development changes; SB 753 addresses financial exploitation protections for seniors and vulnerable adults; SB 469 authorizes a Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund affordability program; and SB 608 requires coverage for pharmacogenomic testing. Senate Bill 626, dealing with birth certificate sex designation changes and related identification documents, was briefly set aside at the request of a senator seeking possible amendments, with the presiding officer agreeing to hold it until the next session. Senate Bill 739, a climate change, homeowners insurance, and emergency management study bill, was also introduced with one amendment and sparked debate over its scope and funding, including discussion of a $150,000 Strategic Energy Investment Fund allocation and whether the study would examine the General Assembly’s own climate policies. The transcript ends during that discussion, before any final action on SB 739.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 2/26/26

Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:
  • We will work with them, for example, to transfer student records.
  • We will work with them, for example, to transfer student records.
  • We will work with them, for example, to transfer student records.
  • We will work with them, for example, to transfer student records.
  • , on our radon testing, well disclosures, uh,<00:14:51.920> community<00:14:52.399> land
Bills: HF3676, HF2959, HF3233
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

December 9, 2025 - 03:00 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • Children with the individual education plans for students with disabilities is an example of that.
  • It requires small class size maximum of one to 12 instructors, student ratio.
  • But if not, I would love to to to look at that and see what that looks like with the IP students.
  • If a student presents the need for an IP to be conducted, is that part of the summer bridge?
  • This summer, we had 183 eligible students participate for summer.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session Mar 7th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Students with Pediatric Feeding Disorder referred the committee on public education.
  • Students for the Subcommittee on Academic and Career-Oriented Education.
  • Students refer to the committee on public education, HB 1086 by Currie relating to the cost of living
  • Student residencies and campuses and public institutions of higher education providing immunity.
  • HB 1175 by Hinojosa relating to the provision of student transcript by an independent school district
Keywords: 1184, house, all
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Public Education May 15th, 2025

Public Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • We ask for a time, um, that works for each, each student.
  • Um, that's not specific to the student.
  • So a student must be in attendance for at least 90%.
  • Is it your reading of the bill that the student is gonna designate which hour of the day the student
  • Being made on behalf of students by their locally elected officials.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/21/2026 - House Floor Session

Arizona House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • She's an 11th grade student at Hamilton High School in Chandler, and the project that she was working
  • License student loan services; HB 2309, Earned Wage Access; HB 2310, Qualified Marketplace; HB 2316,
  • License student loan services 2309 earn wage access 2310 qualified marketplace 2316 middle school student
  • , 2438 pediatric license compact, 2439 public hold pledge, 2444 SNAP, 2444 pharmacist independent testing
  • 2475 law enforcement face covering, 2476 certified public accountant, 2470 an American condition student
Keywords: 1182, all
Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior day’s journal, and recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. John Lynch of Legislative District 12. Members also introduced a number of guests and visiting groups, including Arizona electric co-op representatives, March of Dimes advocates, CRNAs, AEA retirees, a University of Arizona legislative fellow, and other constituents and visitors in the gallery. The chamber then handled routine floor business: attendance was recorded at 58 present, one absent, and one excused; committee substitutions were announced; HB 2677 was removed from the Judiciary Committee and additionally referred to Public Safety and Law Enforcement; and a large slate of House bills and one concurrent resolution were first read and referred to committees. The clerk also read a lengthy list of bills on second reading, covering a wide range of topics including education, health care, housing, taxation, elections, water, labor, public safety, and other policy areas. No substantive debate or votes on legislation occurred during the floor session beyond the referral actions and procedural announcements. Members made announcements about upcoming blood donations, a Veterans Caucus coffee and donuts event, and several committee meetings scheduled for later in the day or the following day. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn until 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
ND
Transcript Highlights:
  • is to provide annual prevention and awareness education on human trafficking and exploitation for students
  • is to provide annual prevention and awareness education on human trafficking and exploitation for students
  • Yes, Representative Davis, members of the committee, we'll test my memory.
  • , and 10th, you'll get your high school students.
  • But on line two, and this could be wordsmithed by support from our legislative intern, but at students
Keywords: 908, all
Summary: The conference committee on HB 1308 met to review Senate amendments related to the Human Trafficking Commission and continuing education language for regulated professions. Senator Beauchay explained that the bill would make the commission more independent and robust by changing permissive language to mandatory language, adding members from DHS/Children and Family Services, school districts, the State’s Attorneys Association, and the governor’s office, and designating the Attorney General or designee as presiding officer. The committee also discussed a new duty for the commission to provide annual human trafficking prevention and awareness education for students, with a proposed cross-reference to DPI curriculum law to avoid conflict with HB 2330. Members raised questions about the size of the commission, quorum concerns, and how the existing human trafficking task force differs from the commission. Testimony from Amy Boyd-Bomey of YouthWorks supported broader representation, especially from child welfare, schools, and tribal entities, and emphasized that trafficking of youth in North Dakota disproportionately affects Native youth. Committee members discussed the need for tribal representation, including a single representative chosen by tribal chairs, and suggested adding language to ensure that perspective. Boyd-Bomey also noted that the statute already references designees from state, local, and tribal agencies, though the committee considered making that more specific. No final action was taken. Representative Davis was asked to draft possible language changes, and the committee agreed to stand at ease and reconvene later, but ultimately the chair announced that more time would be needed and that another meeting would be scheduled.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

Senate Chamber Feb 4th, 2025

New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's been amazing to see New Mexico's Asian community and students from so many backgrounds in the building
  • Hannah is a student. Thank you for standing.
  • President, I also have with me, who is shadowing me at least through the floor session, a student who
  • is a graduate student in social work.
  • Reyes, Jr., for reappointment as the student member of the University of New Mexico Board of Regents
DE

Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session - Session 2 - 37th Legislative Day Jun 17th, 2026

Delaware Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The program also provides students with the opportunity to meet and learn from elected officials, offering
  • The program also provides students with the opportunity to meet and learn from elected officials, offering
  • Please join me in congratulating these students and all the delegates of the 2026 Delaware Boys State
  • Covered services are included, but not limited to, diagnostic testing, FDA-approved hormonal therapies
  • Covered services are included, but not limited to, diagnostic testing, FDA-approved hormonal therapies
Summary: The Senate received communications from the House listing numerous bills, substitutes, amendments, and concurrent resolutions passed by the House or returned to the Senate, and it also noted a Senate amendment being stricken from House Bill 190. Committee reports were read on a wide range of nominations and bills, including favorable reports on several executive nominations and legislation involving nurse preceptors, voting, agricultural/forestry grants, child care, Title IX coordination, vehicle security devices, dry needling, human remains disposition, child care assistance, autism-related oversight, nursing advancement, correctional oversight, massage and bodywork, probate letters, computer security breaches, automobile insurance, medical debt protection, and technical corrections. The Senate also assigned House Bill 300, House Bill 64, and House Bill 385 to the Finance Committee. The chamber confirmed several gubernatorial nominations by roll call vote, each receiving the required majority: Heidi J. A. Gilmore to the Marijuana Appeals Commission; Lee Wynne and Ruth J. Tucker to the Delaware River and Bay Authority Board; Jennifer R. Hallman and Lindsay E. Alexich to the Professional Standards Board; Jason M. Munion and F. Todd Kulata to the Environmental Appeals Board. The Senate also passed House Substitute 1 for House Bill 383, which changes overtime eligibility for certain DelDOT employees and clarifies covered positions, and Senate Bill 315 with Senate Amendment 1, which revises the Delaware Technical Innovation Program to give the Division of Small Business more flexibility in using federal grant funds. Consent Agenda M passed unanimously, including Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 319 on menopause and perimenopause coverage, House Bill 411 on alcohol/tobacco/marijuana enforcement, House Bill 271 on marijuana establishment spacing, House Bill 258 on alcohol licenses, House Bill 303 on juvenile probation/parole officers and DCYF employees, and House Bill 377 on Ocean View municipal election deadlines. Consent Calendar 63 also passed unanimously, including resolutions recognizing Day of Service, National Adoption Month, National Coaches Day, Free Speech Week, Women’s Equality Day, and Spirit of America 250, along with resolutions encouraging a veteran cemetery in Kent County, seeking plans for repurposing underused public buildings, and honoring Delaware Boys State. The Senate spent significant time on floor remarks about the Boys State delegates and on a tribute to emergency responders who helped save a seven-year-old child trapped by a seatbelt; the responders were recognized individually and thanked for their work. Additional remarks explained the purpose of the menopause coverage bill, the adoption month resolution, the free speech resolution, and the America 250 resolution. The session ended with no further business and the Senate recessed until June 18.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 2/25/26

Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:27:01.679> I'm spec I know it's it's a eye test.
  • I'm spec I know it's it's a eye test. I'm sorry.<00:27:02.453> [laughter] sorry.
  • Today whether is a student finds a appropriate uh training often depend on, you know, who they know,
  • <01:14:45.120> uh<01:14:45.600> training student finds a appropriate uh training student
  • Every day I see student in Minnesota.
Bills: HF3004, HF3663
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Rules Apr 1st, 2025

Rules

Transcript Highlights:
  • We spend a lot of time in many groups I'm in supporting students that... ...for us.
  • We spend a lot of time in many groups I'm in supporting students at Florida Memorial.
  • However, genetic DNA testing, which is critical in identifying pre-existing conditions, can take three
  • In many cases, multiple siblings must also undergo testing, which further delays reunification.
  • students, opening sports participation to more private schools.
Summary: The Committee on Rules took up a long agenda of bills and reported several measures favorably. Early action included CS for SB 678, allowing pawnbroker transaction forms to be printed or digital, and SB 466, which designates St. Johns County as the site for the Florida Museum of Black History and creates a board to work with the supporting foundation and county officials. Senators and public speakers largely supported the museum bill, though some members asked about feasibility studies and long-term planning. The committee also approved CS for SB 578 on wine containers, SB 582 on penalties for unlawful demolition of historic buildings, CS for SB 1168 creating an aggravated offense for unlawful tracking-device use in furtherance of crimes, CS for SB 806 clarifying that only the Florida Attorney General may represent beneficiaries of Florida charitable trusts as a public official, and SB 1228 to support spring restoration efforts for Ichetucknee and Santa Fe springs. The committee then heard and favorably reported CS for CS for SB 304, which addresses child protective investigations involving infants and young children with genetic or other pre-existing medical conditions. The bill requires a qualified medical opinion before permanent removal in cases where injuries may be explained by an underlying condition, and it drew strong support from the sponsor and several speakers. Members also approved SB 1286 clarifying that ordinary unsupervised childhood activities, such as biking or playing outside, do not by themselves constitute neglect unless reckless, and SB 1318, a hands-free driving bill that renames the texting-while-driving law, expands the handheld-device prohibition, and adds penalties for handheld use in work and school zones and for certain serious crashes. The hands-free bill prompted the most debate, with supporters citing crash and fatality data and families sharing personal losses, while opponents raised concerns about enforcement, civil liberties, and potential disparate impacts on lower-income and minority drivers; the bill was still reported favorably after amendments. Additional measures reported favorably included SB 14 and SB 20, two claims bills for injuries and deaths involving local governments, and CS for SB 68, which updates health facilities authority financing rules to reflect modern hospital structures. The committee also approved CS for SB 172 on health care practitioner specialty titles and designations after adopting an amendment protecting CRNA titles; the bill generated questions about whether licensed practitioners with doctoral degrees may still use the title doctor under their practice acts. Throughout the meeting, most bills were adopted without opposition, and the committee repeatedly voted to report them favorably.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Community Affairs Mar 17th, 2025

Community Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • So during the COVID-19 pandemic, Leon County had an overall drop in standardized test scores.
  • Among white students, that drop was about 9%. Among Black students, the drop was 18%.
  • Among white students, that drop was about 9 percent.
  • Among black students, the drop, the drop, standardized test scores.
  • Among white students, that drop was about 9%. Among black students, the drop was 18%.
Summary: The committee first heard SB 1134, which would extend the use of qualified private providers in the building permit process to residential solar energy systems and certain single-trade inspections, and would allow computer-based plan review tools. The sponsor said the bill is intended to reduce long solar permitting delays and lower costs. A late amendment clarifying the word “application” was adopted, and after some discussion about local permitting problems and the need to work with municipalities, CS/SB 1134 was reported favorably, with Senator Pizzo voting no. The committee then took up SB 784, dealing with issuance of addresses and parcel identification numbers for plats. The bill sets a 14-day timeframe, and an amendment was adopted that would allow use of a private provider if the deadline is missed and would limit fee collection if verification is not completed. Members discussed whether the bill should include more flexibility and whether private providers are appropriate for this function, but the committee ultimately reported CS/SB 784 favorably. SB 1738, allowing counties that previously opted out of transportation concurrency to opt back in while maintaining current levels of service, was also reported favorably without significant opposition. Next, SB 1080 on local government land regulation was presented as a measure to speed up development permit and order approvals, limit repeated information requests, prevent hearing delays, and impose penalties for noncompliance. Local government testimony argued it would rush planning and weaken public input, while supporters called it common-sense streamlining. After debate, the bill was reported favorably, with several no votes. SB 1260, which clarifies county constitutional officer budget procedures and creates an appeal process for clerks and supervisors of elections similar to that used by sheriffs, was also reported favorably after members raised concerns about county budget timelines. Finally, the committee considered SB 420, as amended by a strike-all, which would prohibit counties and municipalities from adopting or funding DEI-related ordinances, programs, or policies, while carving out compliance with state and federal law and defining DEI-related terms. The amendment removed retroactivity and delayed the effective date, but members from both parties raised concerns about vague definitions, impacts on women- and minority-owned business programs, local commemorations, and the loss of attorney’s fees for prevailing counties. Public testimony was sharply divided, with many speakers opposing the bill as an attack on local control and inclusion, and a few supporting it as a merit-based standard. The amendment was adopted, but the bill drew extensive opposition in debate and was not yet reported in the portion of the transcript provided.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • Students enrolled for the fall are leaving. Students enrolled for the fall are leaving.
  • Accounting students hold the record for graduation and passing the CPA test on the first time.
  • That is tied to a thing called student success, but you can’t have student success without ensuring that
  • Many of our students are first-generation college students and even first-generation Americans.
  • Our goal is to grow our student population to 25,000 students by 2028, bringing energy, diversity, and
Summary: The committee first took up a confirmation for UCF trustee reappointment candidate Mr. Christie, who described his long service on the board, his UCF business-school background, and his focus on strengthening UCF’s financial foundation, workforce alignment, and engineering and technology programs. Members praised his service and asked about UCF’s future direction, including its role in Florida’s space and engineering sectors. He was allowed to leave early for a meeting with the governor. The committee then heard the Higher Education Appropriations budget presentation for fiscal year 2025-26. The chair outlined a proposed $11.5 billion higher education budget emphasizing workforce education, Florida College System operations, career and technical education, the GATE program, nursing education through the Florida Center for Nursing, UF/IFAS agriculture technology, tutoring, autism and neurodevelopment services, student financial aid, and $250 million for state universities through the Board of Governors. Senator Davis asked about line grant flexibility, and the chair said a conforming bill would address details. The committee adopted a motion allowing technical corrections and then adopted the budget proposal as a recommendation to the full Appropriations Committee. The remainder of the meeting focused on confirmations for university boards, especially the University of West Florida, where several nominees were questioned about Title IX compliance, free speech, workforce readiness, military/veteran ties, and prior statements about privatization and higher education. Rebecca Matthews, Rachel Moyah, Ashley Ross, and Adam Kessel each described their backgrounds and goals for UWF; Kessel faced extensive questioning about his past writings on privatization, the GI Bill, and speech suppression, and said he would not recommend privatizing Florida universities and supported veterans’ education benefits. Public testimony on UWF was largely opposed, with speakers arguing the nominees lacked local ties and warning the slate would harm the university and community. The committee also heard from FAMU reappointment nominee Judge Belvin Perry, who emphasized student success, workforce quality, and FAMU’s continued rise, and from UCF nominee Mark Philburn and FSU nominee Peter Jones, both of whom highlighted their professional experience and commitment to student success and prudent stewardship. The meeting extended its time to 6:30 p.m. to continue hearing nominees and public testimony.