Transcript Highlights:

• Of this amount, $363 million will be used to backfill Local Control Funding Formula costs, and $44 million
• So the 2025 Budget Act deferred approximately $1.9 billion in Local Control Funding Formula costs and
• The 2025 Budget Act deferred approximately $1.9 billion in Local Control Funding Formula costs and $408
• talking about this specific topic, we do have a hearing set for February 24th on funding of the Local Control
• talking about this specific topic, we do have a hearing set for February 24th on funding of the local control

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance held its first hearing of the year on Proposition 98, focusing on the Governor’s budget estimates for the three-year budget window, the Public School System Stabilization Account (PSSA), and repayment of education deferrals. The Department of Finance said the minimum guarantee would rise by about $21.7 billion over the 2025 Budget Act, with increases in each year, full repayment of the existing settle-up obligation in 2024-25, a new $5.6 billion settle-up obligation proposed for 2025-26, and a higher guarantee in 2026-27. Finance also noted revised downward estimates for transitional kindergarten attendance and Los Angeles County property tax reimbursements, and said community colleges would be funded above the split because of enrollment growth. The Legislative Analyst’s Office emphasized fiscal risk and volatility, warning that recent revenue gains are tied heavily to the stock market and tech sector and could reverse quickly. The LAO argued the Governor’s proposed $5.6 billion delay shifts risk into future years and recommended instead fully funding the current estimate, making a larger reserve deposit, considering advance payments or pension-related uses, and finding additional non-Prop 98 solutions to reduce the state’s structural deficit. On the reserve and deferral items, Finance described revised PSSA deposits and withdrawals that would leave about $4.1 billion in the reserve by 2026-27, and both Finance and the LAO supported paying off the remaining LCFF and SCFF deferrals as good fiscal practice. Committee members questioned the size of the settle-up amount, the degree of revenue volatility, the use of the reserve, and the ongoing K-12/community college split. Finance said the proposal is meant to avoid overappropriation if revenues fall, while the LAO said a buffer of roughly $3.5 billion would address typical forecasting risk. Public commenters, including school boards, county offices of education, teachers, and advocacy groups, largely opposed the $5.6 billion withholding or settle-up delay, calling it a manipulation of Prop. 98 and urging full funding and more stable revenue solutions. Several speakers also urged dedicated funding for students experiencing homelessness. The hearing ended with no vote, and the chair announced that broader program discussions would occur in later hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, we just know that there are several schools or districts in the state, some under state control
• And that's what my concern is too is these kids, these ones at the state have been under control that
• state have these kids, these ones at the state have been<00:05:08.479> under<00:05:08.720> control
• been under control that are still FS. been under control that are still FS.

Keywords: Education - Room 216, 2 February, 2026; 1:45 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up a bill on computer science and CTE. Senator DeLano explained that it updates prior law requiring computer science to be incorporated into curriculum and Carnegie unit credit, and now allows artificial intelligence to be included as a component of a district’s computer science offerings. The committee asked no substantive questions, and the bill received a title sufficient, do pass recommendation by voice vote. The next measure, Senate Bill 2244, would allow students in districts rated F for two consecutive years to transfer to another district or school, with the state covering transportation and related costs in addition to base student cost. Members raised concerns about the estimated fiscal impact, the authority of receiving districts to accept students, whether the bill should apply to individual schools within an F district, and whether a case-by-case or pilot approach would be better. The committee adopted a reverse repealer to keep the bill alive for further work, then voted title sufficient, do pass. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2235, which requires local law enforcement to notify a juvenile’s school district within 24 hours of a felony arrest. Senator Rhodes said the bill was prompted by school resource officers who wanted schools to know when a student had been arrested, especially after violent incidents, so schools could respond appropriately. Senators questioned whether the bill conflicts with youth court confidentiality and records laws, who exactly should receive the notice, and whether false arrests could harm students. The sponsor said the bill was intended to improve communication and school safety, and the committee adopted a reverse repealer and then voted title sufficient, do pass. The chair announced the committee would meet again later that day and rise and report tomorrow.

Transcript Highlights:

• things to point out with the re-engineered degrees of freedom in the hips and legs and the improved control
• quantitatively look at the proportion of work that's being done by the versus the machine at different controlled
• This involves doing a controlled comparison between a 24/48 versus a 24/72 hour shift and how we are
• I'm a former FAA air traffic controller; I used to work the military missions desk, rocket launches,
• be talking to you about this because everything is moving more and more to CUI, which stands for controlled

Transcript Highlights:

• and the nursing programs themselves and the ability for the department or the Board of Nursing to control
• State legislatures may control the composition or characteristics of board members, including potential
• similar legislation or regulation in other states like the Mobile Act, whereby the state has its own controls
• legislation or regulation in other states like the Mobile Act, whereby the state has its own, you know, controls
• the licensure of, whereby the state has its own, you know, controls the licensure of individuals very

Bills: S0428, S0606, S0192, S0162, S0340

Keywords: drowning prevention, water safety, swimming lessons, swim vouchers, child drowning, infant safety, toddler safety, pool safety, bath safety, safe bathing practices, postpartum education, newborn care, childbirth education, birth centers, home birth providers, Department of Health, public health, water competency, swim instruction, infant supervision

Summary: The Senate Health Policy Committee met with a quorum and took up several health-related bills, with a strong focus on drowning prevention and patient safety. SB 428 by Senator Yarborough would expand Florida’s swim lesson voucher program from children ages 0-4 to ages 1-7. Supporters, including a pediatric emergency physician and YMCA leadership, cited Florida’s high child drowning rates and argued that swim lessons reduce risk and should be available to more children. Senator Harrell noted the need to consider increasing the program’s funding as eligibility expands. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 606 by Senator Smith, which adds drowning prevention and safe bathing education to postpartum materials provided by hospitals, birthing centers, and, after amendment, no longer home birth providers. A parent who lost a child to drowning testified in support, and senators emphasized the preventability of such deaths. The bill, as amended, was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 340 by Senator Harrell would require nursing students to complete a two-hour human trafficking course before licensure; after a strike-all amendment shifted the requirement from nursing programs to the students themselves, the bill received support from advocates and was reported favorably as a committee substitute. The committee also considered SB 162 by Senator Davis, which would require hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies for using smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. The sponsor said the equipment is relatively inexpensive and already common in many facilities, while opponents and some senators questioned the medical evidence, enforcement, and possible impacts on rural and smaller facilities. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably, with some members voting no. SB 192, presented by Senator Trumbull on behalf of Senator Martin, would remove the $1,500 cap on advances chiropractic physicians may collect for examinations or treatment; the Florida Chiropractic Society supported the change as pro-small-business, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also received an OPAGA presentation comparing Florida’s health care practitioner regulation system with other states, focusing on board autonomy, rulemaking oversight, board composition, appointments, term limits, and funding mechanisms.

Transcript Highlights:

• Same situation with Jeff Waggoner, Ocean City Fire Control District, wanting to speak on an amendment
• This legislature is, specifically this Republican-controlled legislature for the last nearly three decades
• Property taxes are not out of control in Florida. The narrative is.
• It is understood that they need to fund flood control reservoirs, drainage canals, water supply and development
• Jeff Waggoner, Ocean City Wright Fire Control District waives in support.

Transcript Highlights:

• A controlled vehicle with lights activated is classified as a Level 5.
• officer to lawfully place a tracking device or application. on a person within their care, custody, or control
• exception to allow a law enforcement officer to place or use a tracking device on a person under their control
• We are changing that method to give the governor more direct control without Senate confirmation in appointing
• Now we're going to take up Tab 7, CS for SB 1360, on controlled substances by Senator Lee [ID: member

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we don't believe there's any quality control issues or any effect on the craft that they're performing
• every day. ...control issues or any effect on the craft that they're performing every day because we're
• We're going to get some of this government out of your way without affecting the quality control of what
• ... ...this government out of your way without affecting the quality control of what you're doing and
• It's deregulation that punishes qualified professionals while handing more market control to a smaller

Summary: The committee first took up a local beverage-license bill for the World Equestrian Center in Marion County. The sponsor described the facility’s size, economic impact, and rapid expansion, and explained that the bill would direct DBPR to issue a special license for qualifying equestrian sports facilities. After questions about whether the carve-out would set a precedent for other businesses, the sponsor said the unique facts of the facility justified the bill. An amendment narrowed the off-premises alcohol authority so the license would allow beer and wine only for off-premises sales, while still allowing on-premises sales of all alcoholic beverages and a standalone bar on the premises. The amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 16-1, with Representative Rayner voting no. The committee then heard PCS for HB 1461, a broad regulatory-reform bill that would repeal continuing education requirements for certain licensed professionals, eliminate several boards/councils/commissions at DBPR and DACS, remove some secondary licenses, and expand licensure pathways. The sponsors argued that most complaints are already handled administratively, that the boards create bureaucracy and cost, and that the bill would improve efficiency without changing initial licensure standards. Members raised concerns about whether DBPR has the subject-matter expertise to replace professional boards, especially for engineering, harbor pilots, electrical work, home inspection, architecture, interior design, and related fields, and about whether removing continuing education could weaken public safety and code compliance. Public testimony on the PCS was mixed but leaned strongly against the bill from affected professions. Opponents from architecture, electrical contracting, home inspection, geology, interior design, real estate, and related groups argued that the boards provide technical expertise, discipline, and updated knowledge tied to changing building codes and safety standards, and that continuing education is important for public protection. Some supporters, including representatives of CPAs and landscape architects, said they appreciated efforts to streamline licensing and reduce anti-competitive barriers but still had concerns about specific provisions. The committee adopted two amendments: one requiring 30 days’ notice for an address change for a prescription sales business, and a second technical amendment. No final vote on the PCS was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• public boards, water boards, from restricting public access to the water bodies that they either control
• Of course, with anybody, you're trying to control costs.
• Other water boards should not have the ability to control bodies of water.
• What have we become as a nation or a state that allows entities like Ms. to control natural resources
• be provided to those who rely on it because the system has been changed in terms of who can really control

Bills: HB471, HB473

Keywords: water authority, sewer management, fire protection, local governance, board of directors, local officers, water recreation, public access, water bodies, recreational use, water commissions, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to be good stewards of the state resources, when there's a strain, we focus on what's within our control
• and what's out of our control as a state agency.
• a larger system in rural Minnesota, and we made sure that we were establishing the same type of controls
• So we have expenditure control, we have conversations about FTEs, and we require multiple levels of approvals
• So, we're putting these controls in place to make sure that we are appropriately utilizing the funds,

Transcript Highlights:

• So it is categorized and it's controlled and is documented.
• So it is categorized and it's controlled and is documented.
• one reason why folks prefer the current system is that consumer-directed care, where they have more control
• And then he stood up and shook his hand when he regained his self-control.
• And then he stood up and shook his hand, and he regained his self-control.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and heard six bills, all of which were reported favorably. HB 1567, relating to insulin administration by direct support professionals, was amended to clarify the type of insulin that may be administered and to allow supervision of self-administration of an insulin pen. Supporters described the bill as a way to keep people with developmental disabilities in group homes rather than forcing institutional placement; the amendment and bill both passed unanimously, 17-0. PCS for HB 1103, on services for persons with disabilities, would expand the APD managed care pilot statewide in phases, require more transparency on waitlist data, create a statewide family care council, and address transition services for young adults leaving foster care. Testimony was mixed: supporters emphasized the long APD waitlist and the need for a voluntary option, while some witnesses and members raised concerns about the accelerated rollout, limited data, and preserving consumer-directed care. The committee adopted the bill 17-0. CS for HB 127, on exceptional student education, would create micro-credentials and coordinate with the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities and OSHA to support students with disabilities transitioning to work; it passed 17-0 after testimony from a parent and advocates. HB 989, concerning licensure of family foster homes, was amended to streamline license transfers for foster parents moving within Florida while maintaining oversight and directing DCF rulemaking. A teacher and other supporters said the bill would reduce bureaucracy and help children remain in stable homes; it passed 17-0. PCS for HB 1091, on substance abuse and mental health care, updates processes related to the 988 crisis line, methadone treatment needs assessments, and forensic evaluators, and adds data/reporting requirements for DCF managing entities. After one amendment and testimony from supporters and one opponent, it passed 16-0. Finally, HB 633, on behavioral health managing entities, was amended and then approved 17-0; it requires more structured data and reporting from managing entities to increase accountability and transparency in the behavioral health system.

Transcript Highlights:

• Duffy's decision to invite representatives from external organizations to visit the FAA Air Traffic Control
• process to include stronger authentication methods, real-time carrier verification, and implement controls
• associated with theft of inbound shipments, and what actions do you believe that Customs and Border Control
• way that we're going to be able to peer into those organized networks and dismantle the command and control
• cops in the field they can keep arresting the bad actors every day until we take out the command-and-control

Keywords: Committee, Transportation, aviation safety, confirmation, Lieutenant Commander, Deputy Secretary, Bradbury, Hafensteiner, aircraft incidents

Summary: The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation convened to consider the promotion of Coast Guard Lieutenant Samuel Hafensteiner to Lieutenant Commander and the nomination of Stephen Bradbury as Deputy Secretary of Transportation. The meeting highlighted ongoing concerns regarding aviation safety, especially in light of recent aircraft incidents. Members discussed the critical need for knowledgeable leadership within the Department of Transportation to address these safety challenges effectively. Mr. Bradbury's background as a former General Counsel of the Department was presented as a strong asset for the role he seeks.

Transcript Highlights:

• ASKING FOR THE REIMBURSEMENTS THAT WE ARE ASKING FOR WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT IS WHOLLY WITHIN YOUR CONTROL
• YEARS IS BEING EATEN UP BY ALL THESE COSTS THAT ARE COMPLETELY 100 PERCENT TOTALLY OUT OF THE CLERKS CONTROL
• RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE NOT AS SEPARATE ENTITY WITHIN YOUR BUDGET AND YOU DON'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF CONTROL
• HOWEVER TODAY I HAD GIVEN YOU AT LEAST THREE DIFFERENT REIMBURSEMENT ITEMS THAT ARE WHOLLY WITHIN YOUR CONTROL
• CHECKING US IN TO VISIT OUR LOVED ONES PLAYING GAMES AND DRINKING COFFEE AND HAVING SNACKS IN THE CONTROL

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of it so I want when we had full control of it so I want to<01:25:47.760> make<01:25:47.840><
• <02:09:31.920> and the economic benefit, the control and the economic benefit, the control
• the freedom of their employees control the freedom of their employees to<02:17:49.920> uh<02:
• 17:50.240> control<02:17:50.880> and<02:17:51.359> to<02:17:52.240> uh<02
• :17:52.399> stifle<02:17:52.800> their to uh control and to uh stifle their to uh control

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The problem is this is a quite a handy tool to control your comp to control people from starting small
• What I have more control over our lives.
• control, freedom, and some control, freedom, and autonomy.<01:31:30.760> Monopolies,<01:31:31.760
• <01:32:13.199> your is a quite a handy tool to control your is a quite a handy tool to control
• > from<01:32:15.520> starting comp to control people from starting comp to control people

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The problem is this is a quite a handy tool to control your comp to control people from starting small
• What I have more control over our lives.
• I want some control,<01:32:13.600> freedom,<01:32:13.920> and control, freedom, and control
• <01:32:58.719> your is a quite a handy tool to control your is a quite a handy tool to control
• > from<01:33:01.120> starting comp to control people from starting comp to control people

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• agency and uh as the pollution control agency and uh as well<00:13:38.440> as<00:13:38.760>
• process that the pollution control process that the pollution control agency<01:31:37.920> uh
• <01:36:24.880> agency<01:36:25.360> we're Minnesota Pollution Control agency we're
• Minnesota Pollution Control agency we're talking<01:36:25.960> about<01:36:26.520> that
• <01:49:17.280> agency adopted by the pollution control agency adopted by the pollution control

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The municipalities have full control. There is no third party.
• The city, the municipalities, have full control. There is no third party.
• <00:36:57.720> of<00:36:57.880> that<00:36:58.200> would additional U controls
• cameras uh to regulate the speed control cameras uh to regulate the traffic<00:37:19.760> uh<
• over that who looks out have no control over that who looks out for<05:10:29.160> their<05:10

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee opened with an announcement correcting the public hearing list: House Bill 209 was mistakenly listed as a continued hearing, but the chair said that hearing had already been closed and would not be reopened. The committee then moved to House Bill 305, which would allow municipalities to install and use speed and red-light cameras for traffic enforcement. The prime sponsor, Rep. Jones, said the bill was intended as a tool to address police staffing shortages and erratic driving, and emphasized that municipalities would pay the costs, work with DOT and the Department of Safety, and retain full control without using third-party vendors. He said the bill was meant to target speeding, red-light violations, and similar conduct, with enforcement handled locally and subject to state and federal law. Committee members raised questions about how citations would work, who would be held responsible in multi-driver or rental-car situations, whether due process would be affected, and whether cameras could identify the driver rather than just the vehicle. The sponsor and supporting witness Edward H. of Keene said municipalities would determine procedures, that an officer would still have to review and issue any summons, and that the bill was meant to be a limited enforcement tool rather than a catch-all. Edward H. also described the bill as adding guardrails such as a needs analysis, coordination with DOT, annual reporting, and public records of detections and fines. The Department of Transportation testified neutrally, saying it had no position on the bill and noting that current state systems include speed feedback signs, bridge security cameras, toll cameras that capture plates only, and traffic-signal detection cameras that do not record video. No vote was taken. The committee then held a brief hearing on House Bill 368, which would prohibit smoking tobacco products or e-cigarettes in a motor vehicle when a child under 16 is present and impose a $100 secondary fine. Rep. Miller introduced the bill in the sponsor’s absence, and there was no public testimony for or against it. The chair closed the hearing. Finally, the committee opened House Bill 390, which would add retired fire apparatus to the antique vehicle exemption so old fire trucks can be registered and used in parades without being stripped of their equipment. Rep. Parson explained that a strict reading of current law had led DMV to reject some antique fire engine registrations, and said the bill would fix that while preserving the ban on commercial use and on impersonating emergency vehicles. Members asked about the relationship to existing laws on emergency-vehicle impersonation, and the sponsor said the bill would not affect those laws. The hearing remained open as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
• their control of infectious waste, but their control of infectious waste, but there<00:16:50.680>
• Stanley, where is generators covered in the Control Act? Mr.
• generators covered um in the Control generators covered um in the Control Act?
• AI tech companies relinquishing control. AI tech companies relinquishing control.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, you know, perhaps that bonding authority could be controlled by the BEA, which then might find the
• by the BEA which could be controlled by the BEA which then<00:09:25.839> might<00:09:26.240><
• We want local control. We're giving you local control. >> Senator Waters. >> Thank you, Mr.
• ><01:59:20.639> local<01:59:21.040> control.
• control. We're giving you local control. control. We're giving you local control.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:44:50.480> Um<00:44:50.800> so Medicaid fraud control units.
• Um so Medicaid fraud control units.
• trial in patients with placeboc control trial in patients with active<01:32:24.080> cancer.
• to conduct the trials uh and the control to conduct the trials uh and the control trials<01:42:50.080
• It is a controlled trial.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met and approved the minutes from its August 27 meeting. It then received a presentation from Katherine Castanza of the National Conference of State Legislators on the Medicaid provisions in the 2025 budget reconciliation bill, referred to as HR1. She explained that the bill is estimated by CBO to save the federal government $911 billion over 10 years, with more than 20 Medicaid-specific provisions, most of the savings concentrated in five policies and largely backloaded into 2030-2034. She emphasized that the bill’s effects will vary by state, but that expansion states and hospitals are expected to be most affected, in part because of changes to eligibility, provider taxes, and state-directed payments. Castanza highlighted several new funding and flexibility provisions, including a $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Fund for 2026-2030 and a new home- and community-based services waiver option effective July 1, 2028, with $100 million in grants in fiscal year 2027. She also outlined major eligibility changes for Medicaid expansion adults: work or community engagement requirements effective January 1, 2027; twice-yearly redeterminations for the expansion population effective the same date; and new cost sharing for certain expansion adults effective October 1, 2028. She noted that Kentucky, as an expansion state, would be subject to these changes and that state agencies would face significant implementation demands, especially because federal guidance and timelines are tight. A substantial portion of the presentation focused on financing changes. Castanza described new limits on provider taxes, including a 0% safe harbor for new taxes and a phased reduction for existing taxes in expansion states beginning in 2028, while nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities are exempt from the reduction if already taxed. She also explained that state-directed payments will be capped and phased down over time, with existing arrangements grandfathered only briefly; she said Kentucky has 11 approved state-directed payments and could see significant fiscal effects. She added that the bill also bars Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood or similarly situated providers for one year, changes immigrant eligibility rules effective October 1, 2026, lowers the federal match for certain emergency services, and expands the scope of the federal erroneous payment recoupment provision effective October 1, 2029. Throughout, she stressed that federal savings may translate into state cost shifts and that implementation timing will be critical.