Transcript Highlights:

• Our faculty grantees develop innovative curriculum... ...students, and our faculty grantees develop innovative
• Also, not all professional development is the same.
• Also, not all professional development is the same.
• Well, that's all laudable, but this is professional development, not student development.
• school districts or teachers can depend upon.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee first heard an update on the California Education Learning Lab, which the administration wants to move from the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation to the Government Operations Agency and fund at $4 million annually. The Learning Lab and a UC Davis faculty lead described intersegmental grants supporting teaching innovation, including an AI-focused project involving UC, CSU, and community college faculty. The Department of Finance supported the proposal as a way to align higher education and workforce efforts, while the LAO recommended rejecting it, arguing the work is hard to scale, overlaps with existing campus and segment-wide professional development, and could be wound down to save General Fund dollars. Members questioned the program’s outcomes, administrative costs, and whether it fills a gap not already covered elsewhere; the item was held open. The committee then considered funding for the new Office of Civil Rights in GovOps to implement AB 715 and SB 48, with a request for $3.5 million in 2026-27 and $2.8 million ongoing. Administration staff said the office has been set up, positions posted, and space and equipment secured, but acknowledged that detailed program guidance cannot yet be developed until subject-matter staff are hired. The LAO had no concerns, but several senators raised concerns about the office’s placement in GovOps, the lack of guidance for schools, the pending litigation and possible follow-on legislation, and whether the staffing structure matches the workload across different discrimination categories. The administration said it would coordinate with the Department of Education, develop outreach and guidance once staff are in place, and shift resources as needed based on workload. The item was held open. After public comment supporting the California Education Interagency Council, the subcommittee voted to approve several vote-only items: items 11 through 17 were approved unanimously, and items 6 through 10 were approved on a 3-1 vote, with Senator Nilo voting no. The committee then heard from the Office of Data and Innovation, which requested five positions and $1.25 million in reimbursement authority to expand its digital service delivery work. ODI described projects using data science and iterative design to improve state services, including reducing unauthorized EBT transactions and forecasting water system outages; the LAO had no concerns, and members expressed support while asking about privacy protections and data safeguards for vendor AI tools. The item was held open. Finally, the Department of Technology presented on the Middle Mile Broadband Initiative, describing progress on the statewide open-access network, including 423 miles already active, more than 70% permitted, and a selected operator, Skyline Technology Solutions, to handle day-to-day operations. The LAO noted most of the $3.8 billion in appropriated funds is already encumbered and raised concerns about the new three-party structure, accountability, and long-term financial sustainability. Members pressed CDT on completion timelines, the need for a two-year extension of the encumbrance period, the legal basis for the operator arrangement, revenue projections, and oversight of the out-of-state operator. CDT said it expects about 5,300 miles completed by December 2026, with some work slipping into 2027, and said it will continue annual reports and quarterly advisory committee updates. The item remained under discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• moderator for the Timberlane Regional School District. eyes have it.
• I've also been an assistant moderator for the school district over that time period.
• ... ...having come from a cooperative school district in my hometown.
• I have the pleasure of representing the great town of Hudson, Hillsboro, District 13.
• they wanted for the citizens, what they wanted from the master plan.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Certainly an important issue to the district.
• Kinsavo's district.
• Even with a slowdown in some development, we're seeing a lot of development in our area.
• , we're seeing a lot of development in our area.
• This bill can help us develop those.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a wide range of transportation bills focused on rural microtransit, commuter rail fares and service, rail electrification, climate alignment, and safety. Several speakers supported H. 4054 and related microtransit proposals, arguing that rural communities need stable, permanent funding for services like the Tri-Town Connector and Quaboag Connector, which have strong ridership, high satisfaction, and measurable economic and health benefits. Testimony also supported a commission bill to study microtransit funding and definitions, with witnesses emphasizing that current grant programs are helpful but short-term and insufficient for long-term service planning. A major theme was commuter rail equity and expansion. Boston-area officials and advocates backed bills to make all Boston commuter rail stations Zone 1A, citing large fare disparities between nearby stations in Hyde Park, Roslindale, and Readville. Related testimony supported studying an Orange Line extension from Forest Hills to Roslindale Square and expanding The Ride to Foxborough, as well as restoring commuter rail service to Cape Cod via Middleborough to Buzzards Bay and beyond. Speakers said these projects would improve access, reduce car dependence, and better serve neighborhoods and regions that currently face limited rapid transit options. Multiple panels urged action on electrification and climate-focused transportation planning, including H. 3726, the Freedom to Move Act, and bills to electrify commuter rail, buses, school buses, and public fleets. Advocates from environmental, transit, and public health groups said transportation is the state’s largest emissions source and argued that statutory goals, coordinated planning, and streamlined permitting are needed to speed decarbonization while improving safety, affordability, and reliability. The committee also heard support for a bill to streamline rail electrification permitting, a bill to exempt certain transit projects from MEPA review, and a bill to improve commuter rail pedestrian safety with gates, fencing, and warning devices at at-grade crossings. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> I'm Jim Barton with Bart and Kenny, and we represent Live Nation Ticket Master.
• 00:21:02.960> Live<00:21:03.280> Nation<00:21:03.679> Ticket<00:21:04.080> Master
• we represent Live Nation Ticket Master. we represent Live Nation Ticket Master.

Bills: HB227, HB454, SB323, HB266, SB52, SB53, SB296, HB37, HB429, HB93, HB249, HB328, HB111, HB132, HB26, SB261, HB227, HB454, SB323, HB266, SB52, SB53, SB296, HB37, HB429, HB93, HB249, HB328, HB111, HB132, HB26, SB261

Keywords: firefighter benefits, occupational disease, line of duty, disability pension, death benefits, retirement benefits, hypertension, heart disease, respiratory disease, cancer presumption, HIV, hepatitis, municipal firefighters, state firefighters, fire districts, workers' compensation, public safety employees, post-retirement benefits, benefit eligibility cutoff, occupational illness

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's a pretty big district.
• I represent Senate District 10 in Albuquerque.
• So they got their wish, and the entire International District is now in my district.
• My district actually borders Mexico and borders El Paso, Texas.
• When we talk about economic development, we see it.

Transcript Highlights:

• county court judgeships are prescribed in statute for each district and circuit and county.
• Court of Appeal, Judge ships for the 6th District Court of Appeal.
• And then lastly are the district Court of appeal judges.
• I mentioned that to new DCA judgeships were authorized for the 6th District Court of Appeal.
• A lot of things happened to build a school district in the year across the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• Even in my district, which is urban Miami-Dade County, we do have a lot of sources of these renewable
• It also provides $5 million of workforce development incentives.
• We care very much about workforce development in this state, and particularly in the industry of civil
• So it designates $5 million for workforce development.
• But my opinion is about a three different masters.

Summary: The Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee heard several transportation and infrastructure bills. HB 1239, Energy Infrastructure Investment, would let the Public Service Commission create a mechanism for utilities to recover costs for renewable natural gas infrastructure; supporters said it could diversify energy supply and help agriculture, while members raised concerns about consumer rates and asked whether savings from RIN credits should be passed to customers. The bill drew supportive public testimony and was reported favorably after debate, with members noting the PSC would set costs and that the sponsor was open to further discussion on consumer protections. The committee then took up HB 313, which exempts Purple Heart recipients from paying Florida tolls. With no questions or opposition, it passed unanimously. The committee also considered HB 567, a broad transportation omnibus/strike-all bill covering EV tax revenue for roads, airport and MPO changes, workforce funding, traffic signal modernization, speed limits, and a pilot to streamline airport permitting. A major amendment added utility right-of-way notice, response, and incentive/penalty provisions, and another amendment authorized local governments to set age and ID rules for e-bikes, scooters, and other micromobility devices after testimony about a fatal crash. The bill was reported favorably after extensive debate and public testimony from transportation and utility stakeholders. HB 112, dealing with municipal sewer collection systems, would allow cities to use sewer revenues to expand wastewater infrastructure. Sponsors said it was aimed at helping cities like Hollywood reduce septic use and improve water quality; testimony supported the measure as a way to unlock funding for sewer expansion, and the bill passed unanimously. The committee also approved HB 7009, preserving public records and meeting exemptions for 911 and public safety radio communications systems and expanding them to next-generation 911. Finally, PCS for HB 1397, a large transportation package addressing airport, seaport, spaceport, and workforce issues, was amended and passed 14-1 after questions about federal testing notifications, removal of certain business preference language, and a provision redirecting some transit funds to highway projects if not timely used.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, just work with the staff and see if you can develop language for the narrow that scope.
• <01:19:53.280> language<01:19:53.880> for you can get develop language for you can
• And they have for Electricians Board journeyman licenses and master electricians.
• At the request and master electricians.
• If you were a master electrician, you'd have to meet the master, but not necessarily the journeyman license

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and consent calendar, then moved through several Department of Health and Human Services Medicaid-related rules. Rule 25-220 from the Department of Energy was postponed until June so stakeholders would have more time to review revised language. Rule 25-240, involving Medicaid income verification and deductible provisions for medically needy applicants, was adopted after staff noted the cited sections had expired but the agency said it had continued operating under federal law and the state plan; the agency also said it had begun rulemaking on the cited provision. Rules 25-265 and 2633 were also adopted, with staff explaining that although parts of the rules had expired, the agency had continued implementing the policies through the Medicaid state plan, billing manuals, and related rules. The most extended discussion centered on rule 25-304 from the Bureau of Aging and Adult Services, which covers case management services for the CFI program. Staff and the agency explained that the amended conditional approval request clarified how case management agencies indicate staffing capacity, how telehealth decisions are evaluated, and that the department—not the case management agencies—sets the timeline for accepting or denying cases. The agency said the rule is intended to ensure participants are not pushed into telehealth when they do not want it or cannot use it, while leaving technical and clinical telehealth decisions to the provider. A case management provider testified in opposition to parts of the rule, arguing that the committee should not require agencies to admit unverified patients, that reimbursement-rate issues belong in legislation, that the quality-management section duplicates existing licensure oversight, and that the telehealth language improperly gives case managers authority over how other licensed providers deliver services. Committee members questioned whether the telehealth language was simply allowing case managers to determine whether telehealth fits a person’s care plan, and agency representatives responded that this was the intent. No final vote on rule 25-304 is shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• July, indicating their support for the addition of licensed clinical social workers and licensed master
• July, indicating their support for the addition of licensed clinical social workers and licensed master
• social workers, licensed master social workers, and licensed provisional marital and family therapists
• marital and family therapists, professional counseling, licensed clinical social worker, licensed master
• marital and family therapists, professional counseling, licensed clinical social worker, licensed master

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We had 91 development fund projects reported received and three development fund program reviews conducted
• > attended<00:08:31.280> by coach development councils attended by coach development councils
• c> fund<00:08:39.760> projects had 91 a development fund projects had 91 a development fund
• So at this point the egg development So at this point the egg development board<00:15:01.040> has<
• been supported with a development funds. been supported with a development funds.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:18 KOAP Report 00:58 Approval of Minutes 53:58, 958, all

Summary: The Tobacco Settlement Agreement Fund Oversight Committee met on June 11 but did not have a quorum, so it could not approve the prior minutes. The committee then received a compliance and program update from Brandon Reed and Bill McClowski of the agricultural development board, who said the office is fully staffed, has digitized most records, and has added a Facebook page to share board actions, projects, and compliance work. They also reported that the board and finance corporation continue to operate with strong county-council participation and that the office had completed numerous site visits, program reviews, and project closeouts over the reporting period. The presenters reviewed monthly funding actions from December through May, including board approvals ranging from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars, with a December finance meeting delayed by a snowstorm. They highlighted that the Kentucky Agriculture Finance Corporation now has 57 loans generating more than $2 million per month in payments, and that the revolving loan program has grown to support more than $24 million annually in repayments available for relending. They also noted that 75% of the portfolio is in beginning farmer loans and that the office had recently surpassed 1,000 active loans. Several projects were discussed in detail. These included a grain facility in Callaway County supporting organic corn production for expanding egg-layer operations, a Union County cattle business expansion, a West Liberty Veterinary Clinic project to build a working cattle facility, a Grayson County farmers market project, a Casey County veterinary services project, and a packing warehouse for the Kanye family to support specialty crops. The presenters emphasized that county and state tobacco settlement funds are often combined, sometimes with participation loans, to leverage local investment. They also stressed the importance of supporting greenhouses, farmers markets, specialty crops, and large-animal veterinary services as key agricultural priorities. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond the lack of quorum and the informational presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• The governance and professional development bureaus, they draft, maintain, rule, policies, and procedures
• To promote best practices and also provide professional development to more than 2,000 individuals on
• In other words, they're awarded a master contract, and then they're required to compete for additional
• And then Florida Digital Service is also required to provide subject matter expertise in the development
• We are developing and providing more and more trainings and professional certifications to equip state

Summary: The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability met with a quorum present and first took up SB 268, a public records exemption bill for public officers. Senator Brodeur explained the bill on behalf of Senator Jones, saying it would protect partial home addresses, phone numbers, and certain family information for the governor, cabinet members, and other elected officials because of threats and harassment against public servants. An amendment narrowing and clarifying the definition of public officer and the process for claiming the exemption was adopted without objection. Chair Fine and Senator Brodeur both spoke in support of the bill, citing personal experiences with threats and the need to protect officials and their families. CS for SB 268 was then reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then heard a presentation from Brandon Spencer, Director of State Purchasing and Chief Procurement Officer at the Department of Management Services, on state agency procurement and contracting practices, including IT procurements. He described the state’s procurement structure, including state term contracts, alternate contract sources, and agency procurements, and said the division now manages more than 960 enterprise-wide agreements, with that number continuing to grow. He also highlighted that roughly 21% of purchase order spend is on IT services, discussed statutory requirements for IT procurements, and said the division is working with Florida Digital Service to improve oversight, training, vendor accountability, and procurement options. No committee action followed the presentation, and the meeting adjourned after no further business was raised.

Transcript Highlights:

• :37.240> strategies,<00:36:37.800> the to develop additional strategies, the to develop
• And one of those has been developing the wastewater nitrogen reduction strategy, which we developed with
• . developed. developed.
• Initially, there were some developed.
• minded people in my district, or trying minded people in my district, or trying to<02:28:13.880>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the the fire department there f Master the the fire department there f Master puts<00:09:00.040>
• therapist and owner of Life development therapist and owner of Life development resources<00:15:
• is uh people go through uh the districts is uh people go through uh the districts and<00:24:30.440
• <00:51:29.599> are our intermediate school districts are our intermediate school districts
• district when my district isd535 district when my district isd535 issued<01:07:44.400> a<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I work for the Bicycle Districts and the Learning Office, and I support it. Thank you.
• Nathan Jackson, Oakland Unified School District PE Specialist, and I support this bill. Thank you.
• Chen Kongwick, Oakland Unified School District, co-founder of Oakland Sports Equity Task Force.
• Master.
• I have the Clippers and the Rams in my district, but we have our own apps, by the way.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the teacher training and professional development in that partnership.
• Number one is that our small school districts, rural school districts, if these tests actually cost somewhere
• We have, again, I'll say regions that are in water management districts; work with them to develop plans
• I represent a number of municipalities and two counties in my district.
• You got to look at the cost of economic development.

Summary: The committee took up a series of bills and amendments, reporting several measures favorably. Early in the meeting, CS for CS for SB 344 modernizing the Telecommunications Access System Act was approved without opposition. The committee then adopted amendments and passed CS for SB 714 on non-opioid advanced directives, CS for SB 738 updating child care and early learning provider regulation, CS for SB 756 revising health insurance coverage for individuals with developmental disabilities, and CS for CS for SB 1356 creating a Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at FSU and a newborn genetic testing pilot. Later, the committee also approved CS for SB 1624 on higher education, CS for SB 1626 on child welfare, SB 178 on an agronomic study for emerging crops, SB 1162 on water access facilities and boat ramp parking, CS for CS for SB 958 creating a type 1 diabetes early detection program, CS for CS for SB 1402 expanding dropout retrieval eligibility, SB 774 requiring electronic transmission of certain court orders, SB 1516 creating an international aerospace innovation fund, and SB 994 revising driver education requirements. Most of these bills were reported favorably by roll call votes after brief explanations and, in several cases, amendments. Several measures drew substantive discussion and public testimony. CS for CS for SB 1624 prompted questions about replacing “minority” with “underrepresented,” the role of the Florida Department of Education’s Commission for Independent Education in overseeing private religious postsecondary institutions, and whether the changes could affect access for students at institutions such as FAMU and FIU. CS for CS for SB 1070 on ECGs for student athletes received extensive emotional testimony from parents and advocates describing children lost to sudden cardiac arrest and urging mandatory screenings; the sponsor said the bill would be cost-neutral for districts by encouraging partnerships with screening groups. SB 994 on driver education was discussed as a vehicle to add distracted driving instruction, and the sponsor agreed to work on that issue. SB 774 was presented as a response to a fatal delay in transmitting an ex parte order, with support from clerks and sheriffs. The most extended debate centered on SB 810 on stormwater management systems. The sponsor said the bill, as amended, would narrow annual inspections to infrastructure identified as vulnerable by MS4 entities, but the Florida League of Cities, Florida Association of Counties, and Florida Stormwater Association warned the proposal could impose major costs and duplicate existing MS4 permit requirements. Committee members questioned the fiscal impact, whether the bill would apply to FDOT or other entities, and whether annual inspections were feasible for large and small jurisdictions alike. Despite those concerns, the sponsor and several members emphasized flood prevention and public safety, and the bill remained under discussion with the sponsor indicating continued willingness to work with stakeholders.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is about leadership development of district leadership teams to improve the efficacy of, of, of
• per student, none of my school districts in my district would tell me that.
• The way that a district feels.
• District 146.
• by district.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um he's working on his masters now in Shamad and I was denied.
• Um he's working on his masters now in Shamad and I was denied.
• Um he's working on his masters now in Shamad and I was denied.
• now in Shamad and working on his masters now in Shamad and I<01:05:02.799> was<01:05:02.960><
• That's an issue for the Department of Human Resource Development to address because it's a statewide

Bills: HB1769

Keywords: criminal justice reform, rehabilitation, private prisons, racial equity, Native Hawaiians, community well-being, mass incarceration, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1769, which would require the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to incrementally reduce the number of people incarcerated in private out-of-state correctional institutions. The DCR director opposed the bill, saying the department does not control overall prison population levels because courts determine admissions, and arguing that Hawaiʻi’s in-state facilities are already over capacity, especially Halawa, which he said is 165% over design capacity. He said only a small portion of the population is under departmental control through furlough programs and argued that bringing people home would require building a new medium-security prison. Supporters, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, the Public Defender’s office, and several individuals, argued the bill creates a phased, accountable path to reduce reliance on mainland prisons and bring people home. Supporters emphasized the harms of separating incarcerated people from ʻohana and culture, the disproportionate impact on Native Hawaiians, and the need for diversion, treatment, re-entry support, and fair sentencing. Several testifiers also said the department has more control than it claimed, pointing to underused furlough options, reclassification, and empty beds at some in-state facilities, while others urged clearer statutory language and guardrails. Members questioned the director about whether people could be reclassified or moved to available beds at facilities such as Kulani and Waiawa, and about whether the department could do more through staffing and contract changes. The director said some proposals had been sent to the Department of Human Resource Development, but that major facility changes would be costly and that minimum-security facilities would need substantial upgrades to house medium-security inmates. After discussion, the chair said the committee would defer HB 1769 to Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. for decision-making and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• With these developments, the Doge crowd is breaking. a sacred promise to deliver Americans their earned
• The death master file we've got about 915,000 people still listed in a bit of limbo and that that still
• So we've got some numbers being used multiple times, we've got 915,000 in the death master file that
• probably, will like your analytics except to the extent that it affects one of their offices and their district

Keywords: Social Security, Medicaid, Frank Bisignano, Elon Musk, benefit processing, office closures, public testimony, administration policies, health care, vulnerable populations

Summary: The committee meeting focused heavily on the nomination of Frank Bisignano as the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, with intense discussions around the current state of Social Security and its management under the current administration. Members voiced significant concerns regarding potential changes to Social Security and Medicaid, specifically addressing issues such as office closures, delays in benefit processing, and the perceived policies from Elon Musk's association with the administration. Public testimonies highlighted fears that these changes would severely impact the accessibility of benefits for seniors and vulnerable individuals, resulting in a chaotic environment at the SSA. Members expressed a unified opposition to the notion of dismantling these critical programs, emphasizing the long-term implications on their constituents' well-being.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is John Johnson, and I'm Itasa County Commissioner for District 3 of Itasa County.
• My name is John Johnson, and I'm Itasa County Commissioner for District 3 of Itasa County.
• <01:25:09.159> and<01:25:09.320> the to your community your district and the to your
• community your district and the rural<01:25:10.400> communities<01:25:11.400> uh<01:25
• We live in Plymouth District 42A.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm with the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office in Conroe, Texas.
• Montgomery County District Attorney's Office. Yes, Your Honor. Do you represent yourself?
• Yes, I do, as the representative of the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office. Thank you.
• I'm a prosecutor with the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office.
• County District Attorney's Office. I've been there for nearly 22 years.

Keywords: 1184, house, all