Transcript Highlights:

• Please check and silence your electronic devices.
• Please check and silence your electronic devices.

Bills: SB156

Keywords: gun violence, firearm safety, special counsel, data collection, community initiatives, grants, Attorney General, public safety, suicide prevention, 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• disrupt supply chains integral to certain industries in California including health care, aerospace, electronics
• that occur because of goods that they need to import, all sorts of it. equipment, computing and electronic

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These sources are the electronic transcript information from eTranscript California and information on
• Career passports would be a student-controlled electronic record that's intended to make it easier for

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows agencies to electronically file proposed rules with the Department of State rather than providing
• Such access must be an electronic link from the rule with the reference, or if the incorporated material

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions recognizing FSU Day at the Capitol, Catholic lay leaders, seniors advocates, Broward County school officials, and veterans-related guests. The chamber then moved through its special order calendar, beginning with several Florida Statutes revision bills. SB 36 adopted the 2025 Florida Statutes and prior session law; SB 38 conformed statutory terminology for the Division of Criminal Investigations; SB 40 removed repealed provisions; and SB 42 cleaned up obsolete language, cross-references, and typographical errors. Each passed unanimously or nearly unanimously after brief explanations and no substantive debate. The Senate also passed CS/SB 50 on nature-based coastal resilience, as amended to strengthen the Florida Flood Hub’s role under USF and clarify research and modeling responsibilities; CS/SB 116 on veterans, which expanded veteran awareness and coordination efforts, added mental health training, and authorized adult day health care; SB 118 on presidential libraries, which preempted local regulation to give a future Florida presidential library maximum flexibility; CS/SB 126 on prescription hearing aids, allowing mail distribution for adults after appropriate professional evaluation; SB 150 on abandoning restrained dogs during natural disasters, amended to conform to the House; SB 294 limiting collaborative pharmacy practice from being expanded to certain serious cardiac conditions; and SM 314 urging Congress to increase Florida National Guard force structure. Most of these measures passed with strong bipartisan support, though SB 118 drew questions about local zoning, parking, and safety and passed 36-3, with one senator later changing to a no vote over local control concerns. Later, the Senate approved CS/CS/SB 322 creating a nonjudicial process for removing unauthorized persons from commercial property, and CS/SB 348 on ethics, which would penalize false claims of military rank or honors for material gain and require paycheck withholding for delinquent ethics fines owed by public employees. The chamber also passed CS/CS/SB 7012 on child welfare, which included a CPI/case manager recruitment program, a treatment foster care pilot in two judicial circuits, and improved data collection and capacity analysis for commercially sexually exploited children. CS/SB 108 on administrative procedures was adopted after a detailed explanation of rule review, transparency, and rulemaking deadlines, and CS/SB 160 on public accountancy passed after an amendment clarifying contracted services and discussion of CPA licensure pathways. The longest and most celebratory debate centered on CS/SB 110 for rural communities. The bill created an Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance grant program, housing and road funding, school and health care investments, and related rural support measures. Amendments refined transportation priorities in the Everglades agricultural area and clarified the FARM road program. Senators from across the chamber praised the bill as a long-awaited investment in rural Florida, agriculture, broadband, health care, and quality of life. After extensive debate and emotional closing remarks from the sponsor and leadership, the bill passed overwhelmingly.

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows agencies to electronically file proposed rules with the Department of State rather than providing
• “Such access must be an electronic link from the rule with the reference, or if the incorporated material

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions recognizing visiting groups, including FSU students and officials, Catholic lay leaders, Broward County school officials and students, and veterans-related guests. The chamber then took up a series of bills, with several routine reviser measures passing unanimously: SB 36 adopting the 2025 Florida Statutes, SB 38 changing a division name in the statutes, SB 40 deleting repealed provisions, and SB 42 cleaning up obsolete language and cross-references. SB 50 on nature-based coastal resilience was amended to strengthen the Florida Flood Hub’s role and passed 39-0 after debate about mangroves, oyster reefs, living shorelines, and hybrid green-gray infrastructure. SB 116, a major veterans bill, passed 39-0 after extensive discussion of veteran benefits awareness, mental health training, coordination with federal agencies, adult day health care, and the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame. SB 118 on presidential libraries passed 36-3 after questions and debate over state preemption of local zoning and related regulation, and SB 126 on mailing prescription hearing aids passed 39-0 to expand access for adults after licensed evaluation. The Senate also passed SB 150, as amended, to conform to the House by changing the bill’s wording from “animals” to “dogs” in the natural-disaster abandonment context. SB 294 passed 38-0 to limit collaborative pharmacy practice from being expanded to certain serious cardiac conditions. Senate Memorial 314 was adopted by voice vote, urging Congress to seek a larger Florida National Guard force structure. SB 322 passed 39-0 creating a nonjudicial process for commercial property owners to have unauthorized occupants removed by the sheriff. SB 348 passed 39-0, making it an ethics violation to falsely claim a military rank for material gain and allowing delinquent ethics fines to be withheld from public paychecks. SB 7012 on child welfare passed 39-0 and would recruit former public safety workers into CPI/case manager roles, create a treatment foster care pilot in two judicial circuits, and improve data collection and services for commercially sexually exploited children. Later, the Senate returned to SB 108 on administrative procedures, which passed 39-0 after debate over a five-year review cycle for agency rules, reporting requirements, and greater transparency in rulemaking. SB 160 on public accountancy passed 39-0 after an amendment clarifying contracted services and discussion of easing pathways into the CPA profession while maintaining standards. SB 110 on rural communities passed after an amendment package and extensive debate, with provisions described as creating an Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance grant program, housing and road funding, school support, and health care investments for rural areas. At the end of the session, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify all passed bills to the House, observed a moment of silence for former Surfside Chief John Healy, and received additional announcements before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please silence all electronic devices. Is anyone wishing to speak to? Thank you.
• Please silence all electronic devices.

Summary: The Committee on Commerce and Tourism took up several measures, beginning with SB 1666, which would adopt Florida’s version of UCC Article 12 to address commercial transactions involving digital assets such as cryptocurrency, smart contracts, blockchain, and NFTs. The committee adopted a technical amendment and then reported the bill favorably. It also approved CS/SB 480, a proposal to create affordable health coverage options for farmers and ranchers through a nonprofit agricultural organization model; the bill drew significant questions about preexisting conditions, ACA coverage, costs, and whether the plans would function like insurance, but it was ultimately reported favorably despite opposition from some members and outside groups. The committee then unanimously advanced CS/SB 1172, which expands business development incentives for veterans and military spouses, including procurement preferences, fee waivers, tax exemptions, and an entrepreneurship program; an amendment added military-spouse hiring preferences and protections for private employers that adopt them voluntarily. The committee also approved CS/SB 1400, a bill aimed at non-consensual AI-generated sexual deepfakes. The measure requires covered platforms to provide a removal process, post clear notice of that process, and remove identified content within 24 to 48 hours, with liability under the Florida Unfair Trade and Deceptive Practices Act for noncompliance; an amendment carved out internet service providers from liability. Members raised concerns about repeat uploads and the meaning of “reasonable efforts,” but the bill was reported favorably. The committee then adopted SM 1488, a memorial urging Congress to create a sovereign wealth fund, despite testimony opposing it as unnecessary and constitutionally questionable. It also passed SB 1252, which would create a centralized statewide system for sharing pawn and secondhand dealer data among law enforcement agencies; the sponsor said the first step would be a $250,000 feasibility study, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered SB 922, which revises Florida’s restrictive covenant laws by creating a streamlined process for certain non-compete and garden leave agreements involving employees with access to sensitive information and higher wages. The bill drew extensive debate over worker mobility, global scope, and whether it would strengthen employer leverage too much; after a technical amendment, it was reported favorably. The last major item was SB 1776, a Florida Whistleblowers Act revision that adds a notice-to-cure requirement, narrows retaliation and employer definitions, and limits claims where another statutory remedy exists. Members and public speakers raised concerns that it could make whistleblower claims harder to bring and give employers time to destroy evidence, but the bill was amended and then reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please silence all electronic devices. Is anyone wishing to speak to... Thank you.
• Please silence all electronic devices.

Summary: The committee heard several bills on commerce, tourism, labor, technology, and public safety. SB 1666, by Senator Graal, would adopt Florida’s version of UCC Article 12 to address commercial transactions involving digital assets such as cryptocurrency, blockchain, smart contracts, and NFTs; after a technical amendment, it was reported favorably. CS/SB 480, by Senator DiCeglie, would create affordable health coverage options for farmers and ranchers through a nonprofit agricultural organization model similar to Tennessee’s; supporters said it would expand access in rural areas, while opponents and some senators raised concerns about ACA protections, preexisting conditions, and state fiscal impacts. The committee also approved CS/SB 1172, which expands business development incentives for veterans and military spouses, including procurement preferences, fee waivers, tax exemptions, and an entrepreneurship program, after an amendment expanding hiring preferences for military spouses was adopted. The committee then took up SB 1400, which creates a process for removing nonconsensual AI-generated sexual deepfakes from covered online platforms within 24 to 48 hours and subjects noncompliant platforms to penalties under Florida’s deceptive trade practices law; an amendment carved out internet service providers, and the bill was reported favorably. SM 1488, a memorial urging Congress to create a sovereign wealth fund, drew opposition from a public school teacher who questioned its necessity and constitutionality, but it still passed. CS/SB 922, dealing with employment agreements, would strengthen enforcement of certain non-compete and garden leave agreements for employees with access to sensitive information; critics argued it would restrict workers and innovation, while supporters said it protects trade secrets and high-paying jobs. After an amendment, it was reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1252, which would create a statewide system for sharing pawn and secondhand dealer data among law enforcement agencies, with an initial feasibility study cost estimated at $250,000 and questions raised about enforcement if agencies do not participate. Finally, CS/SB 1776, under the Whistleblower’s Act, would require advance notice and an opportunity to cure alleged violations, narrow retaliation and disclosure definitions, and limit claims when another statutory remedy exists; members questioned whether the changes could reduce employee protections or allow employers time to destroy evidence, but the bill was still under debate as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's please silence all electronic devices. Thank you. Excellent.
• Let's please silence all electronic devices.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered several bills, reporting each favorably after hearing sponsor presentations, public testimony, and member questions. SB 578 would allow wine to be sold in recyclable containers, aligning wine with beer container rules; it received support from Americans for Prosperity and passed without debate. SB 606 clarified when guests in public lodging or food service establishments may be removed for nonpayment, updated notice and checkout provisions, and removed a mandatory arrest requirement, with support from hotel and restaurant industry groups; it also passed favorably. Members then heard SB 202, which addresses a municipal water utility surcharge issue affecting Miami Gardens and North Miami Beach by requiring the utility to charge residents where the plant sits the same rate it charges its own residents. The sponsor and supporters described it as a fairness issue, while North Miami Beach argued it would shift costs and threaten utility finances; the bill was reported favorably. SB 570 modernized and clarified the scope of work for swimming pool and spa contractors, and SB 928, as amended, regulated non-approved disposable nicotine devices by restricting advertising and display, increasing inspections and penalties, and adding a school-buffer provision; both were reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 346, which repeals state preemption over local regulation of hoisting equipment and cranes, prompted by concerns after Hurricane Milton and a crane collapse in St. Petersburg. Supporters said local governments need authority to address storm-related crane safety, while industry representatives warned against patchwork regulation and said local oversight already exists in some areas. Finally, the committee took up SB 652, creating Veterinary Professional Associates to perform certain tasks, including limited surgeries under veterinarian supervision; animal welfare groups supported it as a way to expand access, while some veterinarians opposed the surgery provisions. The bill was reported favorably after amendment. The committee then began SB 354, a major overhaul of Public Service Commission oversight, including expanding the commission, adding financial expertise, tightening rate-setting and storm-hardening review, and increasing transparency for nonprofit water and wastewater utilities; the substitute amendment was adopted and public testimony was heard from consumer advocates and utility-related groups, but the transcript ends before final action on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• That was a paper base, no electronic. It was trying to switch over to an electronic system.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please make sure all electronic devices are turned off or on silent mode.
• Is this an in-person or electronic vote? You're recognized. Thank you very much, Chair.

Summary: The committee first took up PCS for HB 123, which would change the process for converting a public school to a charter school by requiring approval from a majority of parents at the school, allow municipalities to apply to convert certain schools under limited circumstances, and address surplus school property in districts with declining enrollment. The sponsor said the bill is meant to give parents the primary say and to prevent districts from holding unused property. Opponents, including the Florida PTA, several members, and public speakers, argued the bill excludes teachers, school boards, and other stakeholders, could disenfranchise parents who do not live in the municipality, and could create enrollment, transportation, and equity problems. After debate, the bill passed 13-5 and was reported favorably. The committee then heard HB 597 on diabetes management in schools. The bill would allow school districts and charter schools to procure and store glucagon pens for emergency treatment of severe hypoglycemia, permit trained personnel to administer them, require 911 to be called after use, and add limited liability protections. The sponsor said the medication is inexpensive and could save lives for the roughly 7,000 diabetic K-12 students in Florida. An amendment clarified that public and charter schools are both covered. The bill drew support from the American Diabetes Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Florida PTA, and members from both parties praised the measure. It passed unanimously and was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard HB 85 on hazardous walking conditions, which would add walking along freeways, expressways, and their ramps as a hazardous condition requiring bus service for elementary students within two miles of school. The sponsor described personal examples of children walking near dangerous roads and said the bill is intended to prevent injuries and deaths. An amendment narrowed the language by deleting “state highway.” Public testimony included a parent who described her child being hit by a car and urged broader coverage, while members raised concerns about bus shortages and fiscal impact. Most members spoke in support, emphasizing student safety, and the bill was reported favorably after debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please silence all electronic devices. Please silence all electronic devices.

Summary: The committee met to hear invited presentations on storm recovery and storm protection from the Florida Public Service Commission, Florida Power & Light, Duke Energy, Tampa Electric, Chesapeake Utilities, and the Office of Public Counsel. The PSC reviewed the history of storm restoration financing and utility hardening efforts after major storms such as Hurricane Andrew, the 2004-05 hurricane seasons, Irma, and Michael, explaining storm reserve funds, storm recovery bonds, and the current three-year storm protection plan process. The commission’s role in approving plans and later reviewing prudence of actual costs was emphasized, along with the types of work included in the plans such as vegetation management, pole replacement, undergrounding, feeder hardening, and substation flood protection. The utilities described their own storm-hardening investments and recent storm performance. FPL said it has spent about $4.9 billion on storm protection and recovery-related efforts, highlighted improved restoration times during Helene and Milton, and said it is expanding undergrounding, feeder hardening, and smart-grid technology. Duke Energy reported more than 40,000 hardened poles and structures since 2021, major gains from self-healing grid technology, and faster restoration during recent storms. Tampa Electric described a roughly $200 million annual storm protection effort, including vegetation management, undergrounding, substation hardening, and new storm surge protections, and Chesapeake Utilities discussed its smaller-scale hardening program, vegetation work, pole replacement, and rapid restoration after Helene in Nassau County. Committee members asked about how utilities prioritize neighborhoods for lateral hardening, whether maps of planned projects could be shared, how much each utility has spent on undergrounding and hardening, and how reliability comparisons are normalized against the national average. Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler argued that storm recovery and hardening costs fall too heavily on investor-owned utility customers, said the current framework lacks a meaningful cost-benefit or prudence check at the planning stage, and urged broader sharing of storm costs because the benefits extend to the whole state. Senators also discussed whether the commission can review the reasonableness of approved programs and whether future reports or recommendations from Public Counsel would be helpful. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• We launched electronic questionnaire for unemployment.
• DWC Electronic Education Management System or EAMS. Any comments. Anybody from the public.

Keywords: 988, house, all

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• Also, regarding the mandatory supervision, we still do the electronic monitoring, and that's...
• We do the electronic monitoring, and that's been a big part of that was money the legislature gave us

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the second thing that we're doing right now is we are working on the regulatory approval to link electronic
• Electronic health record data has detail on symptoms and some other medical parameters that these claims

Summary: The Health Professions and Program Subcommittee met to receive oversight briefings on Florida’s medical marijuana program from the Department of Health’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) and from the University of Florida’s Consortium for Medical Marijuana Clinical Outcomes Research. OMMU Director Christopher Kimball outlined the program’s structure, including more than 900,000 active patients, nearly 7,000 caregivers, 27 MMTC licensees, 706 dispensing locations, and nine certified testing labs. He described the state’s pre-approval process for products and advertising, plain packaging requirements, seed-to-sale tracking, registry operations, and compliance efforts such as background checks, inspections, complaint investigations, and lab desk audits. He also said the Bureau of Public Health Laboratories in Jacksonville had been accredited to begin supporting testing. Members asked about telehealth, patient growth, product safety, advertising to children, inspections, and the status of MMTC licensure; Kimball said recertifications by telehealth now make up more than half of recertifications, that patient growth has slowed, and that ongoing litigation is delaying issuance of 22 new MMTC licenses. Kimball also discussed implementation of recent legislation and licensure changes, including licenses issued under HB 387 and SB 1582 to applicants from the original Pigford-related pool, with additional cure opportunities still ongoing. He said the department is monitoring diversion, inversion, and unapproved products, and that it coordinates with law enforcement when needed but does not itself have sworn authority. In response to questions, he said the department does not regulate physicians directly, but may refer concerns to the Division of Medical Quality Assurance, and that caregiver and physician participation requirements are set by statute. Members raised concerns about edibles, child access, and continued use of child-attractive branding; Kimball said the department tries to catch issues through pre-approval and enforcement, and that complaints involving children are treated as serious and investigated using available records and camera footage. Dr. Almond Winterstein then presented the consortium’s research overview. He explained that the consortium was created by statute in 2019, includes 10 universities, and is funded by annual state appropriations. He said its work includes grants, a research repository, a clinical core, outreach, and evidence synthesis, including a recent FDA-supported review of cannabis evidence. He emphasized that the current evidence base is limited and often low quality, with the strongest signals for symptom relief in PTSD-related symptoms, nausea, and some pain outcomes, but with many studies inconclusive or mixed. He also described the consortium’s use of registry data linked to Medicaid, Medicare, death, fetal death, and birth records to study safety and outcomes, including children, pregnancy, driving safety, opioid-sparing effects, and adverse events. Winterstein said adverse event reporting is sparse and likely underreported, with most reports mild but some serious events noted, and he expressed concern about use among young adults because of uncertain benefit-risk and possible effects on the developing brain. The committee discussed the need for better surveillance, more robust adverse event reporting, and the possibility of using linked data to identify harms more quickly. At the end of the meeting, the committee rose without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Everybody in the audience, please, and members as well, remember to silence our electronic devices.
• We've already made our changes to our electronic systems, and we are in the process right now of going

Summary: The Senate Health Policy Committee received updates from the Agency for Health Care Administration and the Department of Health on implementation of 2024 health care laws. AHCA reviewed progress on workforce and reimbursement measures in Senate Bill 7016 and related bills, including FRAME and TEACH funding, graduate medical education reporting, behavioral health teaching hospitals, acute hospital care at home, advanced birth centers, non-emergent care access plans, and rural emergency hospitals. Agency officials said several programs are already operational or have begun payments, while others are still in rulemaking, federal approval, or report-preparation stages. Senators asked about timing, funding reversion concerns, and whether appropriated dollars would be spent on schedule, especially for behavioral health teaching hospitals and the new birth center category. The Department of Health then reported on practitioner licensure and public health programs. MQA described implementation of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, the Mobile Act licensure pathway, massage therapy enforcement changes, background screening expansion, liposuction safety requirements, pharmacist HIV post-exposure prophylaxis authority, and chiropractic dry needling. Public health staff updated the committee on FRAME and dental loan repayment, the Sinati screening grant program, the cancer research and innovation changes, the health care innovation council and loan program, the pediatric rare disease grant program, telehealth maternity care expansion, newborn screening for congenital CMV, the sickle cell registry and grants, and the swimming lesson voucher program. Members focused questions on how practitioners were being recruited to underserved areas, the pace of licensure approvals, and whether new programs were on track to use appropriated funds. The committee also heard a lengthy update from the Office of Medical Marijuana Use. The director reported more than 900,000 qualified patients, real-time seed-to-sale tracking now integrated across most dispensaries and labs, and ongoing compliance work on product testing, advertising, diversion, and patient safety. Senators questioned the decline in qualified physicians, how THC potency is labeled and verified, and what the agency can do about diversion to non-patients. The director said the office relies on complaints, inspections, lab audits, and coordination with law enforcement, and that patients can be suspended if violations are confirmed.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the challenge is being able to keep up with technology and manage cases that are now electronically
• transformative, and the challenge is being able to keep up with technology and manage cases that are now electronically

Summary: The Justice Budget Subcommittee met for an introductory overview of the justice budget and the major agencies within it. Chair Maney explained that the committee would hear broad presentations rather than detailed budget questions, and the first panel included the Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of Corrections, Commission on Offender Review, Department of Law Enforcement, Office of the State Courts Administrator, and the Attorney General’s Office. Each agency described its mission, staffing, budget, and major responsibilities, with repeated emphasis on public safety, rehabilitation, staffing shortages, technology needs, and the importance of mental health services and education in reducing recidivism. Secretary Hall described DJJ’s prevention-to-aftercare continuum, including civil citation, detention, probation, and residential commitment programs, and highlighted reductions in juvenile arrests and commitments. Secretary Dixon said DOC’s biggest issues are staffing, overtime, and inflation, while noting progress in education, reentry, and a low recidivism rate. FDLE Commissioner Glass outlined the agency’s investigative, forensic, intelligence, and protective functions, including work on fentanyl enforcement and crime reporting systems. The State Courts Administrator emphasized the judiciary’s constitutional role, case volume, and challenges in providing interpreters, experts, and technology support. Chief Deputy Attorney General Guard described the office’s litigation, criminal appeals, consumer protection, and opioid recovery work, especially defending state laws and recovering opioid settlement funds. Members then asked questions about prison conditions, immigration enforcement, court filing fees, crime reporting, staffing ratios, and transnational gangs. Agency leaders responded that they were not aware of ICE contracts in some cases, that FDLE works with immigration authorities and detention facilities under existing authority, and that filing fees are a legislative policy decision. The committee also heard from the Justice Administrative Commission, prosecutors, public defenders, guardian ad litem, regional conflict counsel, and capital collateral regional counsel, who focused on indigent representation, dependency and death penalty cases, and persistent staffing and retention problems. No votes were taken, and the meeting concluded after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do they need electronic access controls? Do they need additional cameras? At do they need fences?
• Do they need electronic access controls? Do they need additional cameras, physical security items?

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee held its first interim meeting, took roll, and established a quorum. Members introduced themselves, many noting backgrounds in education, school boards, local government, or parenting, and Chair Jenna Persons-Mulicka outlined the committee’s goal of building the fiscal year 2025-26 Pre-K-12 budget. She also reviewed the fiscal year 2024-25 education budget, noting that the Pre-K-12 portion totals about $21 billion, with the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP) as the largest driver, along with major funding for VPK, school readiness, and school recognition. She explained that federal COVID relief funds have ended and that recent school choice legislation has affected budget structure. Commissioner Manny Diaz and department leaders then gave overviews of their divisions. Diaz highlighted Florida’s education rankings, record graduation rate, progress monitoring, expanded school choice participation, charter school growth, and teacher salary investments, while emphasizing a focus on literacy, math, and early learning. Carrie Miller described the Division of Early Learning’s school readiness and VPK programs, their funding, eligibility, accountability systems, and the importance of kindergarten readiness. Paul Burns outlined the Division of Public Schools’ work on educator quality, literacy, standards, certification, family outreach, federal programs, and school improvement. Suzanne Pridgen reviewed finance and operations functions, including budget management, FEFP calculations, grants, procurement, transportation, and emergency management. Adam Emerson described parental choice programs, including scholarships, charter schools, schools of hope, virtual education, and home education. Darren Norris detailed the Office of Safe Schools’ responsibilities for risk assessments, compliance inspections, threat management, grants, and training created after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas tragedy. Members asked questions about several issues, including whether the Safe Schools office recommends changes to the school safety grant distribution formula, whether early learning eligibility should shift from federal poverty level to state median income, how scholarship payments are verified to avoid funding students who return to public school, and whether daily attendance systems could improve funding accuracy. Other questions addressed hurricane-related survey disruptions, VPK provider reimbursement rates and instructional hours, teacher salary increases, school start time costs, and how voucher schools handle IEP accommodations. Department officials generally said some issues remain under review, supported moving school readiness eligibility to SMI, noted that scholarship and enrollment data are cross-checked and adjusted when needed, and said progress monitoring now helps schools support mobile students. On school safety, officials said exemptions are allowed in statute for some items but not for classroom doors, and that district-specific conditions matter. No votes were taken and no formal actions were reported beyond receiving presentations and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Talk about the issues on altered checks, electronic payments being, you know, any type of banking information

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please silence all electronic devices. Senator Bradley and Senator Pizzo are excused.

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please silence all electronic devices. Senator Bradley and Senator Pizzo are excused.

Summary: The Pre-K–12 Education Appropriations Subcommittee met with a quorum present and took up two bills. First, SB 1318 by Senator Rodriguez made a technical clarification to the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program so that when a scholarship account is closed, any remaining funds revert but do not revert to the state. There was little discussion, no opposition, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered CS for SB 182 by Senator Jones, which creates a school teacher training and mentoring program within the Department of Education. The program would allow districts and charter schools to place current or retired high-performing teachers as mentors in D- or F-rated schools, 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, and clarifying use of enrichment funds. Members discussed implementation, including that principals would assign mentors based on workload and that the mentoring would occur within the same school. The bill received supportive testimony from a seven-year-old student, his mother, and the Florida Parent Teacher Association, and several senators spoke in favor of the measure as a way to support teachers and improve student outcomes. CS for SB 182 was reported favorably. The chair then thanked members and staff, noted this was likely the committee’s final policy meeting, and the committee adjourned.