Transcript Highlights:

• And he runs welding and fabrication programs and develops art-based curriculum for young people and at-risk

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So our training curriculum includes many facets.
• That's probably the majority part of the training curriculum. It's very extensive.

Keywords: 962, all

Summary: The Finance Advisory Committee approved the minutes from its May 14, 2026 meeting and then considered four fiscal transfers. FAC 2026-9 for the Office of the State Controller transferred $4.345 million among fringe benefit accounts in the General Fund and Special Transportation Fund. Members questioned several employee benefit accounts, including active and retiree health care, Social Security, higher education alternative retirement, and OPEB; agency staff explained the transfers were based on updated year-end projections, with some accounts showing surpluses and others needing additional funds. The item was approved, with two no votes noted. FAC 2026-10 for the Military Department transferred $150,000 from the Honor Guards account to personal services and Governor’s Guard accounts to cover operational needs, and it was approved without opposition. FAC 2026-11 for the Department of Social Services transferred $3.3 million among accounts. Most of the discussion focused on a surplus in the substance use disorder waiver/reinvestment account, lower-than-expected TANF/TFA caseloads, federal family planning backfill requirements, and staffing challenges in eligibility operations. DSS said some funds remained unused because a residential care vendor did not enter into a contract, some reserves were intended for future multi-year investments, and eligibility staff require 12 to 18 months of training; the item was approved. FAC 2026-12 for the Department of Children and Families transferred $3.05 million among accounts for year-end operational needs. Members asked about closures of day treatment and community-based prevention programs, and DCF said children were transitioned to other providers without service interruption, with closures driven by provider decisions and financial viability. DCF also explained that some prior funding had been used as gap funding and that ongoing support had been built into the budget. The committee approved the transfer and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• in additional operating funds for the Florida College System, and $40 million for the Workforce Development
• The transportation, tourism, and economic development budget in this bill includes a lot of important
• curriculum materials for $725,000.
• . something about an education program to develop anti-communism curriculum materials for $725,000.
• And 5,000 new jobs or economic growth or development.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved to the conference report on House Bill 501E, the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026-27. Budget chairs presented the major spending areas, describing a $114.5 billion overall budget that they said was fiscally responsible and below the prior year’s spending. Highlights included pay increases and retirement adjustments for public safety employees, education funding for K-12, higher education, health and human services, criminal justice, transportation, environmental programs, and agriculture/regulatory agencies. Members then questioned chairs on several items. In education, senators discussed K-12 declining enrollment funding, teacher salary set-asides, private school scholarship spending, mental health funding, preeminence funding for universities, the Hamilton Center at UF, and charter school PICO funding. In health and human services, questions focused on the iBudget waiver waitlist, provider rates, ADAP/HIV funding and the return of Biktarvy to the formulary, KidCare, rural health funding, SNAP-related IT and error reduction efforts, and the IDD managed care program. In criminal justice, senators asked about correctional officer pay, prison staffing and infrastructure, air conditioning in prisons, juvenile justice facilities, law enforcement recruitment, and court system funding. Environmental and transportation questions covered Florida Forever, water quality, state parks, water projects, housing, elections funding, and emergency management. Several specific actions and explanations were given during debate: the budget includes $8.8 million for state attorney competitive area differentials but no funding for public defender CAD requests; assistant state attorneys will start at $70,000 and assistant public defenders at $65,000; the battery disposal issue was described as a temporary study/preemption approach; and the Senate said the budget does not fund Medicaid expansion, preeminence funding, or the SunBucks Summer EBT state share. Senators also noted that some proposals discussed in committee did not make it into the final budget. The transcript ends with debate statements from members praising the budget process and Chair Hooper, while also expressing concerns about public schools, health care access, affordability, and the lack of funding for certain priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:11:06.240><c> those</c> services and trying to develop those services and trying to develop those
• Curriculum. >> Um, she's the division director. She's my boss.
• &gt;&gt; Okay.<01:27:14.960><c> Curriculum.</c> &gt;&gt; Okay. Curriculum. &gt;&gt; Okay.
• Curriculum.
• ,</c> graders and and on language development, graders and and on language development, they<01:30:49.040

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The commission held an organizational meeting under SB 57 to study the cost of special education, with the meeting streamed publicly at the chair’s request. Members introduced themselves, and the chair explained that the bill creates two separate pieces, one dealing with SAU structure and the other with a commission on special education costing. He outlined his background in education and special education and said the commission’s work would focus on understanding and controlling special education costs. The commission reviewed its membership requirements and noted several vacancies or unfilled appointments, including the special education advocate, two governor-appointed parent advocates, and a Department of Health and Human Services representative. The members then elected Representative Rick Ladd as chair, Representative Dick Ames as vice chair, and Representative Megan Murray as clerk. Representative Ames briefly described his legal and policy background in disability and special education work in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The chair then walked through the commission’s study topics, including referral rates by IDEA category, reasons for increases in categories such as autism and other health impairment, post-COVID referral trends, pre-referral interventions, Medicaid and 504-related costs, out-of-district placements, dispute resolution, billing practices, privacy, reimbursement, legal services, graduation rates, attendance, and adult learning. Members discussed how special education costs are distributed, noting that the state spends about $977 million annually on special education, with only part covered by state aid and the remainder largely borne by local districts. Testimony also noted that out-of-district placement costs have risen sharply since rate-setting changes around 2018, and that some categories may reflect changes in identification practices, medical factors, or broader population shifts. The commission agreed to continue reviewing the data and formulas in future meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• supportive services that we need because but for you figuring out what we're good at and helping us develop
• curriculum and certain grade levels for the Committee of Public Education.
• HB 3781 by McLaughlin leading to the provision of financial assistance from the Texas Water Development
• Board for the development of certain products in economically distressed areas or for the Committee
• HB 3800 by OR relating to the advisory board established to develop a resource guide that facilitates

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the workforce development fund. the workforce development fund.
• </c><00:53:25.200><c> more</c><00:53:25.440><c> curriculum</c> to hire staff to develop more curriculum
• to hire staff to develop more curriculum and<00:53:26.160><c> provide</c><00:53:26.559><c> quality</
• </c> workforce development development fund. workforce development development fund.
• development while fostering development development while fostering entrepreneurship<01:47:53.920><c

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The program itself is a post-Thunderbird program for workforce development training.
• and great technology development for the guard and really the military writ large.
• We knew that if we're going to develop a new system, it will take time.
• We've already developed a curriculum, and we're currently working on training the trainers who will be
• We actually finished the development of our system all the way back in September.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've established a long-term, over the many years, really we've developed a long-term process whereby
• It's really important to develop the quality providers that the people need.
• It's really important to develop the quality providers that the people need.
• If we're able to really study where those providers are currently located and where we need to develop
• Um, it... them for an exam and develops critical thinking skills and practices.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up a series of health and human services bills, beginning with CS/SB 1602, which would require hospital emergency departments to have evidence-based pediatric care protocols, staff training, child-sized equipment and medications, a pediatric care coordinator, and participation in a national pediatric readiness assessment. The bill was reported favorably after no public opposition. CS/SB 1224, aligning Florida law with federal requirements for paramedics to administer controlled substances under physician or nurse practitioner direction, also drew supportive testimony from the Florida Fire Chiefs Association and was reported favorably. CS/SB 1182, requiring coverage of continuous glucose monitors under both pharmacy and durable medical equipment benefits, was likewise reported favorably after brief support from AARP. The committee then considered CS/SB 890, the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act, which addresses venous thromboembolism by defining certain conditions as chronic diseases, creating a statewide registry, and requiring screening and training in hospitals, surgical centers, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities. Family members and blood clot advocates strongly supported the bill, but assisted living representatives objected to being included, arguing the bill would impose unrealistic medical expectations and liability on residential care facilities. Senators also raised concerns about the assisted living provisions, but the bill was reported favorably after the sponsor said more changes were likely later. CS/CS/SB 954, dealing with recovery residences and treatment centers, was amended to reduce the number of active patients from 500 to 300 and then reported favorably after extensive debate over zoning, clustering, neighborhood impacts, and access to recovery housing. CS/SB 1050, which expands the developmental disabilities pilot program and creates an adult pathways waiver option, generated the most extensive testimony. Supporters said it would help reduce the long APD waitlist and expand services, while many families and advocates warned against managed care, citing provider shortages, weak oversight, and the importance of consumer-directed care. Committee members emphasized that participation is voluntary and that people can disenroll, and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 614, requiring a public educational webpage about background screening and level-two screening requirements, and CS/SB 1578, expanding breast cancer screening coverage, were both reported favorably with little opposition. CS/SB 1060 created a joint legislative oversight committee for Medicaid financing and operations; after an amendment expanding the committee from three to five members, it was reported favorably. CS/CS/SB 1240, updating DCF substance abuse and mental health procedures including 988, methadone assessment, forensic evaluators, and Baker Act transfer timing, was amended and reported favorably after debate over transfer deadlines and facility responsibilities. Finally, the committee began hearing CS/SB 526, a major nursing education bill aimed at improving Florida’s low NCLEX passage rates by tightening program standards, requiring exit exams and remediation, mandating reporting and inspections, and limiting accreditation extensions. A strike-all amendment was introduced that would also require certain low-performing programs to offer a three-month graduate preceptorship. The transcript cuts off before the bill’s full debate and final action are completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also now require that Pueblos, Tribes, and Nations develop an implementation plan to demonstrate to
• They are doing community development and community work around the chapter, and we are proud of them
• Representative, so that the plan has not yet been developed, right?
• development in the past, and it's not going to move us in the right direction.
• That's exactly why this formula has been developed to this point, with input from tribes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Think about that: getting some language in and some education into a health curriculum to teach kids
• Think about that: getting some language in and some education into a health curriculum to teach kids
• for the sake of professional development.
• </c> training and professional development training and professional development statutes.<01:02:00.160
• </c> stakeholders in good faith to develop stakeholders in good faith to develop the<01:20:02.640><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• remember that there's an emphasis on collaborative partnerships that work with businesses to inform curriculum
• remember that there's an emphasis on collaborative partnerships that work with businesses to inform curriculum
• remember that there's an emphasis on collaborative partnerships that work with businesses to inform curriculum
• remember that there's an emphasis on collaborative partnerships that work with businesses to inform curriculum
• remember that there's an emphasis on collaborative partnerships that work with businesses to inform curriculum

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first considered an amendment to add a new “Lakes” license plate to HB 2, with proceeds directed to the cyanobacteria fund for lake cleanup. Representative McGuire said the bill had already passed on consent and asked that it be included in HB 2; members discussed that it had also gone to the Senate. The motion to adopt the amendment failed on a 7-8 vote. The committee then took up an amendment imposing a 5% administrative fee on certain dedicated funds, with several exemptions for funds that could not legally or appropriately be charged, such as those involving federal money or bequests. Supporters said it would make the treatment of dedicated funds more consistent and raise roughly $31 million over the biennium for the general fund, while opponents questioned the number of carve-outs and who currently pays the administrative costs. The amendment failed on a 4-5 vote. Next, the committee reconsidered and then adopted an amendment changing the distribution of business profits tax and business enterprise tax revenue, reducing the share going to the Education Trust Fund from 41% to 30% and increasing the General Fund share. Supporters argued the Senate had overfunded the Education Trust Fund and that the change would help balance the budget without changing education spending levels; opponents said they could not support taking money from the Education Trust Fund. The amendment passed 5-3. The committee also adopted, by the same 5-3 margin, an amendment incorporating HB 741 language on open enrollment and student attendance in public schools, with supporters calling it House policy and opponents noting it had been a close, partly partisan vote in the House. Finally, the committee considered a change to the University System of New Hampshire budget that would reduce general fund appropriations by $40 million per year, offset in part by $15 million in previously approved unique dollars for a net reduction of $25 million per year. Supporters said the cut was necessary to balance the budget and that other options had been exhausted; opponents called it harmful to the university system and argued the committee should instead look to other areas, including education freedom accounts, for savings. The discussion continued, but the transcript excerpt ends before a final vote on the UNH item.

Transcript Highlights:

• These systems are rapidly developing to handle more ambitious problems, and this development shows no
• These systems are rapidly developing to handle more ambitious problems, and this development shows no
• These systems are rapidly developing to handle more ambitious problems, and this development shows no
• </c><00:13:12.440><c> are</c> society uh and these developments are society uh and these developments
• </c> to have to be cognizant of developing to have to be cognizant of developing those<01:03:31.279><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . $80.7 million in Workforce Development Capitalization Initiative grant funds for our public schools
• We'll now turn to transportation, tourism, and economic development.
• The transportation, tourism, and economic development budget in this bill includes a lot of good issues
• We need to extend. education's career and technical education health science curriculum framework.
• It requires the social services estimating conference to develop official caseload, utilization, and

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know we've got advertising and economic development as our hearing, so we'll be looking forward to
• the Senator said, today we will hear testimony on 35 bills concerning advertising and economic development
• We were the developer of one of the first innovation career pathways in Massachusetts.
• It also develops a proven talent pipeline in that businesses gain early access to both pre-trained young
• In my seat, I sort of deal with the students at the end game of the curriculum, where they're ready to

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hybrid hearing on a large slate of bills related to advertising, economic development, tourism, digital advertising, delivery taxes, and alcohol taxation. The first panel supported H. 3249, which would create a high school trade partnership program linking public schools with private employers, especially in manufacturing, and would offer employers a tax credit for participation. Representative Soder, Uxbridge High School leaders, and others argued the bill would strengthen career pathways, build a skilled workforce, and keep students and jobs in Massachusetts. The committee then heard testimony on H. 3031 and S. 2003 to modernize the Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund by dedicating an additional share of hotel occupancy tax revenue to tourism promotion. Tourism and hospitality representatives from Cape Cod, Southwick Zoo, and Indian Ranch said the proposal would not raise taxes but would reinvest existing visitor-generated revenue into marketing that supports jobs, local businesses, and municipal tax receipts. A tech-industry coalition opposed several digital advertising tax bills and a delivery tax bill, warning they would raise costs, create uncertainty, and burden consumers, small businesses, and delivery workers. The largest portion of the hearing focused on S. 2029, which would raise the alcohol excise tax by 10 cents per drink and dedicate the revenue to public health programs. Public health experts, advocates, a student prevention leader, and representatives from Jane Doe, Inc. argued the tax would reduce alcohol-related harms, address decades of inflation-driven erosion in the tax, and generate substantial new funding for prevention, treatment, domestic violence services, and community schools. Committee members asked questions about the current tax structure, inflation, and how the proposal compares with neighboring states. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair adjourned after public testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• By profession, I am a real estate appraiser, developing opinions of value for commercial, agricultural
• By profession, I am a real estate appraiser, developing opinions of values for commercial, agricultural
• I see Chipola influencing economic development more, training more teachers for classrooms, continuing
• Let's take that talent that's being developed... So to speak, homegrown.
• And so I'm very proud of our workforce development programs.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Higher Education Appropriations Committee met with a quorum present and announced that the budget rollout would be postponed until the following week. The committee first considered SB 1246, which expands the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund to support health science workforce shortages in addition to nursing. The bill, as amended by a strike-all, broadened eligible uses of the fund, allowed matching contributions from non-health-care partners, prioritized health-care partner contributions, and updated reporting requirements. Testimony in support emphasized that the program has already reduced hospital vacancy rates and should be expanded to allied health fields. The committee adopted the amendment, passed the bill favorably, and recorded the chair’s affirmative vote. SB 720 was temporarily postponed at the sponsor’s request after the chair noted it had been incorporated into a larger committee bill. The committee then heard confirmations for numerous trustees of state colleges and universities, including Chipola College, Tallahassee State College, Pensacola State College, Palm Beach State College, Pasco-Hernando State College, and St. Petersburg College. Appointees generally described their backgrounds and emphasized visions centered on affordability, student success, workforce training, dual enrollment, and alignment with local labor needs. Several highlighted strong nursing outcomes, including high NCLEX pass rates and job placement, while others pointed to expanding programs in welding, plumbing, electrical, cybersecurity, aviation, and other technical fields. Trustees from Tallahassee State and Pensacola State also discussed veterans’ services and health care coverage for college employees, respectively. After hearing from the appointees, the committee took up the confirmations as a block. Senator Calatayud moved to recommend confirmation of all appointees on the listed tabs, Senator Leek seconded, and the motion passed by roll call. The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's an... ...economic development stimulation, plain and simple.
• And the economic development that that brought, I'll use the first one, was making Missouri.
• They're developed deeply into the fabric of these rural communities.
• If you don't believe that, They're developed deeply into the fabric of these rural communities.
• Expand a pilot program with an ag-based curriculum program for elementary students.

Summary: The House recognized its drafters and research staff, then moved through committee reports and several conference committee reports and final passage motions. Senate Joint Resolution 87 was adopted and finally passed after debate over a provision affecting the City of St. Louis sheriff; supporters said the final version restored the original format with a minor wording change, while opponents argued it removed local voter control. The resolution passed 95-46 on both the conference report and final passage votes. Members then adopted and finally passed Senate Bill 973, a measure combining a wholesaler provision and a land bank/real estate transparency provision, with supporters describing it as consumer protection and cleanup language. Senate Bill 1421, a public safety package, was also advanced after a motion to exceed the conference differences; debate focused on clean slate provisions, masked intimidation penalties, prosecuting attorney salaries, fentanyl language, good time credit, Brianna’s Law, and a St. Louis liability provision. The conference report passed 116-18, final passage 110-25, and the emergency clause for the drone-related portion passed 136-5. The House also adopted and finally passed Senate Bills 835 and 1111, a broad package including insurance claim assignment protections, court automation updates, treatment court administration, a circuit judgeship codification, a St. Louis civil case surcharge, and anti-SLAPP protections. Senate Bill 1408, which authorizes MoDOT and the Highway Commission to consider raising rural interstate speed limits from 70 to 75 mph, was receded to the Senate version and finally passed 93-46. Senate Bill 913, extending multiple agricultural tax credits through 2033 and adding a short-line railroad credit, drew extensive debate over tax credits, budget priorities, and return on investment before the previous question was ordered and the bill passed 107-30. Finally, Senate Bill 1553 was passed, creating incentives and a grant program tied to critical minerals and pharmaceuticals to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers; supporters framed it as a jobs and national security measure, while one member raised concerns about local revenue impacts before clarifying the bill’s scope. The House then received Senate messages indicating the Senate had passed a House bill, and the session continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• And a lot of this has to do with the fact that our Civics curriculum is quite lacking in the state.
• Now we're no longer teaching the state constitution in our Civics curriculum.
• And a lot of this has to do with the fact that our Civics curriculum is quite lacking in the state.
• Now we're no longer teaching the state constitution in our Civics curriculum.
• is quite lacking in the state curriculum is quite lacking in the state now<01:09:25.600><c> we're</c

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And when a jurisdiction later needs to remove that structure for road realignment or new development,
• 87 and the Yemeni Student Club, but as an Arab and American high schooler who studies the same curriculum
• businesses seeking to locate in these parts of the county, as well as to advance equitable economic development
• licenses, creating the availability and really taking advantage of building equitable economic development
• Members, this is AB 1823, which would require state agencies and departments to develop or update all

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• While there are many programs for adult education that are already providing classes and curriculum,
• SB 971 promotes learning,... ...and curriculum.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care met without an initial quorum and heard four Senate bills focused on older adults and people with disabilities. SB 837 by Senator Reyes would require Aging and Disability Resource Connection programs to provide disaster and emergency preparedness education tailored to older adults and people with disabilities. Supporters, including the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers and the California Commission on Aging, cited recent wildfire deaths and the need for better evacuation planning and preparedness. The bill passed on a due pass motion and was re-referred to the Committee on Emergency Management. SB 971 by Senator Choi would create a Healthy Aging Community Partnerships Program to encourage voluntary local partnerships, including with community colleges and other entities, to support social connection, technology help, caregiver resources, and other healthy aging activities. Supporters said it would promote independence and prevent isolation at no mandated cost, while one member questioned whether the bill addressed a current legal gap and whether public health departments should be involved. The committee approved the bill on a due pass motion and re-referred it to the Committee on Health. SB 1261 by Senator Laird would allow Aging and Disability Resource Connections to continue operating for one to two years during transitions when an area agency on aging or independent living center operator changes, preventing service disruptions. Testimony from Access Central Coast and the California Association of Area Agencies on Aging emphasized the importance of continuity for thousands of clients. The committee passed the bill and re-referred it to the Committee on Appropriations. SB 991 by Senator Menjivar, presented by Assemblymember Gonzalez, would require the Department of Social Services to classify substantiated abuse in residential care facilities for the elderly by specific abuse type rather than a broad residents’ rights category. Ombudsman advocates argued this would improve transparency and accountability; members also discussed whether similar protections should extend to younger adults in other licensed settings. The bill passed on a due pass motion and was re-referred to the Committee on Human Services.

Transcript Highlights:

• While there are many adult education programs already providing classes and curriculum, SB 971 promotes
• learning,... ...and the curriculum, SB 971 promotes learning and engagement through local government

Keywords: 988, house, all