Transcript Highlights:

• is not the best way to fund education.
• is not the best way to fund education.
• If it is education dollars, we should spend the money on education. And I appreciate it.
• going to education, to train nurses, to train educators, to potentially train future agriculturalists
• go to education, and we use them for things that are not education.

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Minnesota attend public school education Minnesota attend public school education Minnesota<00:20
• </c><00:31:54.720><c> finance</c> us um we are an education finance us um we are an education finance
• <00:32:12.240><c> Miss</c> education Miss education Miss Beckle<00:32:14.679><c> uh</c><00:32:14.840>
• </c> schools for the rest of their education schools for the rest of their education and<00:42:43.400
• </c> been trained by a higher education been trained by a higher education teacher<00:57:27.640><c> um

Bills: HF984 , HF921 , HF922

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> education support. education support.
• </c> educational needs. educational needs.
• </c><04:20:32.080><c> school</c> educate Excuse me, it's educate school educate Excuse me, it's educate
• </c> require special education services. require special education services.
• </c> education for her children. education for her children.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:43:15.320><c> Thank</c> education. Thank you very much. Thank education.
• </c> HB 2 relating to education. HB 2 relating to education.
• Department of Education. We stand on our Department of Education.
• </c> the Department of Education. the Department of Education.
• . education. education.

Bills: HB2459 , HB1616 , HB1799 , HB1604 , HB1732 , HB1736 , HB1931 , HB772 , HB2153 , HB2122 , HB2009 , HB2012 , HB1779 , HB2296 , HB2397 , HB2398 , HB1596 , HB2233 , HB1976 , HB1563 , HB815 , HB1655 , HB1851 , HB1941 , HB2037 , HB1635 , HB2201 , HB1943 , HB1163 , HB2452 , HB2429 , HB2148 , HB2306 , HB2007 , HB2049 , HB2616

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the past several years, through the budget process, education has received the dominant share of
• scales between education and transportation.
• On the education side, this bill aims to spend $593 million in education-related projects.
• Other education initiatives include $150 million for higher education deferred maintenance, $100 million
• By further improving our education, By further improving our educational and transportation sectors,

Summary: The House first adopted several noncontroversial resolutions, including congratulations to the Rotary Club of Watertown for its 100 years of service and to Mystic Valley Elder Services on its 50th anniversary. It also suspended Joint Rule 12 to advance a petition establishing a sick leave bank for a Massachusetts Department of Transportation employee, James Caruso, sending that matter to the Committee on Public Service. The chamber then recessed and later confirmed a quorum after a roll call was called and withdrawn. The main substantive item was House Bill 4227, the final conference committee report on supplemental FY2025 appropriations using FY2024 fair share surtax surplus funds. Members heard that the bill would spend about $1.38 billion, with roughly $716 million for transportation and $593 million for education. Transportation funding included support for the MBTA, regional transit authorities, Chapter 98, and municipal bridges and culverts; education funding included special education circuit breaker reimbursements, higher education deferred maintenance, vocational school capital, early education supports, endowment matches, and Green School Works. The House accepted the conference report by a roll call vote of 146-3, then passed the bill to be engrossed and later enacted it by a roll call vote of 148-4. The House also advanced House No. 422, establishing a sick leave bank for Esther Adafwa of the Department of Mental Health. The bill was ordered to a third reading and then passed to be engrossed. Throughout the session, the House observed moments of recognition and silence for guests and for the deaths of Richard Serino Sr. and Minnesota Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, and it adopted an order to adjourn in Hortman’s memory, with the House set to meet again Monday at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is about affirming our commitment to equity, to accountability, and to the educational success of
• Since 1974, Title VI of the Equal Educational Opportunities Act has ensured equal educational opportunities
• Educational opportunities for all students, including those with limited English proficiency.
• Doe ruled that states cannot deny public education to undocumented children.
• account for the challenges that English language learners and special education students face.

Summary: The House met with several welcoming and ceremonial items at the start, including recognition of visiting school groups and a special order to escort Representative-elect Hannah L. Bowen to the Governor’s Office to be qualified. Members also observed moments of silence honoring former Senator Louis P. Bertinazzi and former Representative Evelyn B. Chesky, and the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s notice of the 6th Essex District special election results was placed on file, with congratulations extended to Representative Owen of Beverly. The main business was consideration of House 4150, a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill totaling about $529.8 million. The House suspended rules, advanced the bill through second and third reading, and later passed it to be engrossed. A consolidated amendment was adopted by a vote of 149-1, and the bill itself passed to be engrossed by 149-1. The House also took up Senate 2508, establishing a sick leave bank for Andrew Cetra of the trial court, and ordered it to a third reading. Two floor amendments drew debate and were adopted by roll call. Amendment 61, offered by Representatives Peisch and Moran, codified protections and practices for English language learners and students with disabilities, including district responsibilities for identification, services, assessments, and nondiscrimination; it passed 148-1. Amendment 27, offered by Representative Rogers, clarified that post-certified law enforcement officers at private colleges and universities are included in firearms-related exemptions under the state’s firearms modernization law; it passed 151-0. The House then adopted an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. and adjourned in memory of Representative Chesky.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's been ongoing for years, and we were all talking about education.
• I mean, our children, our grandkids, are there to be educated.
• I'm also an educator.
• People are up here worrying about education with BIA and public schools.
• All of the educational assistants are Zuni people.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• EDUCATION FREEDOM.
• SEVEN YEARS AGO FLORIDA HAD A MODEST APPROACH TO CIVICS EDUCATION AND LIMITED AVAILABILITY FOR SPEECH
• [APPLAUSE] SEVEN YEARS AGO MANY TOOK FOR GRANT THAT EDUCATION WAS HELD CAPTIVE BY THE IDEOLOGICAL FADS
• WE HAVE ENSURED THAT OUR SCHOOLS HAVE A DUTY TO EDUCATE NOT A RIGHT TO INDOCTRINATE. .
• AS WELL AS THE HAMILTON SCHOOL FOR CLASSICAL AND CIVIC EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA.

Transcript Highlights:

• I feel almost that we have neglected our duty as educators to educate our young people.
• We have neglected our duty as educators to educate our young people.
• I feel almost that we have neglected our duty as educators to educate our young people.
• We have neglected our duty as educators to educate our young people.
• I have a responsibility to educate our young people.

Bills: SB389 , SB525

Committee: House Civil Law and Procedure

Keywords: athlete agent, registration, endorsement contracts, name image likeness, eligibility, unfair trade practices, student athletes, unclaimed property, abandoned property, escheat, state treasurer, administrator, claimant, purchase agreement, assignment, property recovery, owner verification, documentation requirements, fraud prevention, bankruptcy

Transcript Highlights:

• That come up regularly for folks working in our public education system.
• I'm the Manager of Professional Development for the Office of Special Education.
• Prior to that, I was an educator. For 22 years.
• The Public Education Department supports House Bill 120.
• Time out doesn't mean go sit in the corner for 10, Minutes in our educational system.

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• These students are here through CHESS, California Higher Education Student Summit, to meet directly with
• My support for this measure is rooted in my background as an educator.
• That is exactly what robotics education delivers.
• Organizations like First Robotics, along with our career technical education programs like my SB 1222
• in hands-on STEAM education for students of all ages.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Education, which pertains to education stabilization grants. On March 28th, the U.S.
• funding for six programs related to English learning and adult education.
• The programs in question included the Migrant Education Program, which supports the educational needs
• I know that the Public Education Department (PED) has some more money.
• I mean, my area is education; there was five billion dollars.

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• I have been to these education conferences; in fact, my good friend, Representative Drummond, goes to
• ... and Virginia have done, educating students and parents about how to safely use social media is a
• I don't have a problem with diverting some of the money to education.
• So, I'm working with the Department of Education because they are... ...Department of Education because
• The focus on education and evidence-based resources is something we welcome as well.

Bills: HB235 , HB276 , HB285

Committee: House Children and Senior Advocacy

Keywords: social media, age verification, minors, under 16, children online safety, online privacy, platform regulation, deceptive trade practice, Attorney General, civil penalties, punitive damages, consumer protection, account creation, algorithmic feeds, internet safety, youth social media, minor safety, child online safety, teen accounts, parental controls

Transcript Highlights:

• The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education will now come to order.
• SB 920, Mathematics Education, by Senator Gates, will be temporarily postponed.
• Florida's educator compensation statute in 1012.22 was rewritten more than a decade ago to emphasize
• It restores meaningful use of cost-of-living adjustments for educators with direct student contact.
• The Committee on Education Appropriations will come back to order.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met and first temporarily postponed SB 920, the mathematics education bill. The committee then took up SB 1216 on public school personnel compensation, with Senator Rodriguez explaining that the bill would give districts more flexibility in educator pay by restoring meaningful cost-of-living adjustments for teachers with direct student contact, allowing districts to recognize relevant advanced degrees, and removing rigid performance-pay caps. Several senators spoke in support, emphasizing teacher retention, compensation, and the need to invest more in education. The bill was reported favorably by a unanimous roll call vote. The committee next heard SB 1036 on school counselors, presented by Senator Calatayud, which aims to address counselor shortages by removing certification barriers tied to classroom teacher requirements and expanding the pool of eligible applicants. Testimony and discussion focused heavily on the shortage of counselors, high student-to-counselor ratios, and the impact on academic guidance and student mental health. Students and a veteran teacher described limited access to counselors, overburdened staff, and the need for more support personnel; Senator Osgood also noted the role of BRACE advisors and broader student support needs. The bill was reported favorably as CS for SB 1036 by unanimous vote. During the counselor bill discussion, senators also reflected on access and equity in college and career advising, with comments about the need for more efficient use of counselor time and better outreach from Florida colleges. The meeting ended after members recorded their votes on the two bills and, with no objection, adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The rest of the money is for one-time use for transportation and educational needs.
• On the education side, $150 million will go toward special education On the education side, $150 million
• will go toward special education circuit breaker costs.
• Another $150 million will go toward funding early education child care costs, and $38 million will go
• The amendment I filed in the spring of last year both in education and in road money.

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and received a resignation letter from Rep. Fana Howard of Lowell, effective March 17, 2026, as she transitioned to the Senate. The chamber then took up several procedural orders, including multiple unanimous or voice-vote suspensions of rules and concurrence with Senate petitions, such as referrals on housing and student transportation matters, and a suspension of Joint Rule 12 for a petition involving children served by DCF. The main substantive item was House No. 5264, a fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations bill totaling about $1.8 billion. Members discussed its use of Fair Share surtax surplus funds for transportation and education, including major support for the MBTA, special education circuit breaker costs, early education and child care, snow and ice costs, regional transit authorities, and other deficiencies such as GIC and sheriff costs. Members also explained the bill’s tax conformity provisions responding to recent federal tax changes, with debate over whether to delay conformity to limit state revenue exposure. The House adopted a consolidated amendment to the bill and then passed it to be engrossed by roll call vote, 150-3. The House also adopted a resolution commending the Admetek Foundation on Prostate Cancer Awareness Day. Several local bills were advanced, including a sick leave bank for a Department of Corrections employee, a bill waiving the minimum age requirement for a Boston police officer, a Nantucket charter bill, a Stoneham public safety bill, and a Malden special police officers bill, the last of which was amended before being engrossed. The chamber also considered Amendment 43 to redistribute $100 million of Fair Share revenue more evenly to municipalities for roads and education; supporters argued the current distribution favored statewide priorities over local aid, while opponents said the formula would not adequately address rural road needs. That amendment was rejected 128-25. The House then recessed several times, observed moments of silence for local public servants, welcomed visiting youth sports teams, and finally ordered adjournment to meet the next day at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• recommends that the Senate Education recommends that the Senate advise<00:04:06.480><c> and</c><00:04
• curriculum and menstrual health education program.
• </c> um add menstrual health education um add menstrual health education curriculum<00:09:44.480><c>
• They clarified the education uh program. They clarified the grade<00:09:48.520><c> ages.
• curriculum and they made education curriculum and they made technical<00:09:59.440><c> amendments</c

Bills: SB2057 , SB2109 , SB2400 , HB1752 , SB2599 , SB2930

Transcript Highlights:

• Calendar 207, Senate Print 6227, Senator Martinez, an act to amend the Education Law.
• &gt;&gt; CALENDAR 207, SENATE PRINT 6227 SENATOR MARTINEZ, AN ACT TO AMEND THE EDUCATION LAW.
• Calendar 307, Senate Print 78, Senator Liu, an act to amend the Education Law.
• They set the education policy, and they also select the Commissioner of Education.
• In some states, they — the Commissioner of Education is elected in an election.

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation focused on memory, gratitude, and recognizing the unseen people who sustain public life, then approved the prior day’s journal and moved through introductions of guests, including domestic violence advocates, medical scholars, and student advocates. Senator Webb’s Resolution 1633, designating February 23, 2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Day, was adopted after remarks describing the scope of domestic violence in New York and the need for more survivor services. The chamber also adopted memorial Resolution 1558 honoring Margaret D. Williams, a vocalist, public servant, and community leader, and Resolution 1630 marking the 20th anniversary of Park and Public Lands Advocacy Day, with comments emphasizing the health and community benefits of parks and green space. The Senate then took up a series of bills on the calendar, passing measures including amendments to the Environmental Conservation Law, Labor Law, Education Law, Administrative Code of New York City, General Municipal Law, Tax Law, Cannabis Law, and Executive Law. Senator Ramos explained her support for the labor bill as the Anti-Waiver of Employment Rights Act, which would prevent employers from forcing workers to waive labor and human rights protections in applications or onboarding documents. Several bills were passed by wide margins, while some were laid aside for the day. The chamber also restored Senate Print 438 to the third reading calendar after reconsideration. A contested amendment to Calendar 234, Senator Comrie’s Executive Law bill, was ruled non-germane by the chair; Senator Walczyk appealed, arguing the amendment addressing the state energy code and all-electric building mandate was relevant to housing costs, but the Senate voted 20 to sustain the chair’s ruling. The underlying bill was then returned to the non-controversial calendar and passed. Finally, the Senate adopted a concurrent resolution electing two members to the Board of Regents, with supporters praising the nominees’ experience and critics objecting to the limited vetting time; the resolution passed 42-15. The Senate then adjourned until Thursday, February 26 at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 844 updates Florida law to ensure that education on sickle cell disease is included in both controlled
• Licensed physicians and nurses must complete a one-time, two-hour board-approved continuing education
• Senate Bill 606, drowning prevention education, which passed unanimously through all of its assigned
• It tasks the Florida Department of Health with developing... ...birthing educators.
• It tasks the Florida Department of Health with developing standardized educational materials, which at

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and observed a moment of silence for former Senator Charlie Dean. The chamber also received several introductions, including guests from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and visiting Polk County students. After routine business, the Senate took up a special order calendar, temporarily postponing several bills including measures on Citizens Property Insurance, artificial intelligence, public records, and data centers. The Senate then passed a series of bills, most by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. Approved measures included SB 198/HB 505 on virtual currency kiosks, which creates registration, disclosure, transaction-limit, warning, receipt, and fraud-refund requirements; SB 382 on electric bicycles, which adds pedestrian-yield rules, speed limits near pedestrians, and creates a micro-mobility safety task force; SB 844 on sickle cell disease continuing education for certain health professionals; and SB 1014 on municipal utility service, which bars cities from denying water or wastewater service outside city limits solely because the owner refuses annexation. Each of these bills was explained by the sponsoring senator, amended as needed, and passed on recorded votes. The Senate also passed SB 428, expanding the state swimming lesson voucher program from ages 0-4 to ages 1-7 and adding drowning-prevention education for new parents through a merged amendment with related language; senators from both parties spoke in support, emphasizing child safety and autism-related drowning risks. Additional bills passed included SB 540 on Office of Financial Regulation cybersecurity and oversight changes, SB 1440 on related public-records and cybersecurity exemptions, and SB 1594 to protect veterans’ benefits received on behalf of foster children by directing those funds toward post-secondary education or aftercare rather than agency reimbursement. Final votes were largely 36-0 or 37-0, with SB 1440 passing 35-1. At the end of the session, the Rules Chair moved to waive rules so all bills passed that day would be immediately certified to the House and all temporarily postponed bills would remain on the special order calendar. The Senate then adjourned until the next morning for committee meetings and other business.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1528 on educational opportunities for military children by Senator Collins.
• SB 1528 on educational opportunities for military children by Senator Collins.
• So SB 1528 is educational opportunities for military children.
• This training will equip educators with the necessary tools to facilitate a smoother transfer of educational
• This bill honors their sacrifices and guarantees quality education for their children.

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Summary: The Military and Veterans, Space, and Domestic Security Committee met with a quorum and heard several bills focused on veterans, military families, and aerospace. SB 684 by Sen. Avila would let certain Florida Retirement System members buy military wartime service credit under updated eligibility dates and expand the definition of wartime service to include recent operations such as New Dawn, Inherent Resolve, Freedom Sentinel, and Enduring Sentinel. Veterans and first responders testified in support, and senators said the bill corrects an outdated gap. The committee voted the bill favorably. The committee then took up SB 1528 by Sen. Collins on educational opportunities for military children. The bill strengthens coordination between school districts and military installations and requires DOE training modules for school staff working with military families. An amendment removing a sunset provision was adopted, and three Hillsborough County students who helped develop the idea testified in support, describing research on military-family school transitions and the need for staff training on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. The committee reported the bill favorably as amended. SB 910 by Sen. Collins, on veterans benefit assistance, was amended and reported favorably. As amended, it allows veterans to work with professional claims advisors while adding consumer protections, including fee caps, bans on initial/nonrefundable and referral fees, required disclosures, and limits on use of veterans’ login credentials. Sen. Collins and others argued the federal VA claims process is too slow and confusing and that veterans need both help and safeguards. The committee also approved SB 1464 by Sen. Wright, which expands FDVA outreach through digital, print, social media, and in-person efforts and requires public events and annual reporting, and SB 1516 by Sen. Wright, which creates an international aerospace innovation fund administered by Space Florida to support partnerships with international aerospace companies. All measures were reported favorably, and the committee adjourned at the end of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Gutierrez amendment didn't have anything related to education.
• Education. He'll have a chance to vote on it in committee.
• Chairman, we have a State Board of Education. We have a Department of Education.
• We have a Department of Education. We have a Department of ...have a State Board of Education.
• They provide education on firearm safety.

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and heard introductions of guests. Members then adopted several procedural motions, including extending the second regular session, suspending the seven-bill limit for Representative Livingston on budget-related measures, and requesting the Senate return SB 1786 on artificial intelligence content verification for reconsideration. The House also moved into Committee of the Whole to consider calendar items. In Committee of the Whole, the House recommended do pass on SB 1057, SB 1171, SB 1424, and SB 1515, while retaining SB 1178 on the calendar. SB 1171, dealing with fingerprinting and fraud prevention in health and human services, was amended and received supportive comments about accountability and Medicaid fraud. SB 1424, concerning firearm safety instruction in schools, drew extensive debate: a proposed Gutierrez amendment modeled on “Christian’s Law” to require secure firearm storage measures was defeated by division vote 23-31, and the bill itself was defended as age-appropriate firearm safety education while opponents argued it was an unfunded mandate, a parents’ rights issue, and an improper burden on schools. SB 1515, creating a public safety parity fund for DPS and corrections bonuses from rainy-day fund interest, was amended and recommended do pass. The House then considered an additional Committee of the Whole for SB 1552, adopted a floor amendment, and recommended the bill do pass as amended. In third reading, SB 1021 failed 22-35, while SB 1215, SB 1345, SB 1456, and SB 1493 all passed, with SB 1345 drawing a floor explanation about an added regulatory requirement for health care facilities. The House also received first readings of several appropriations bills and announced a special Joint Appropriations Committee hearing on the budget the next morning before adjourning until Tuesday, April 28, 2026.