Transcript Highlights:

• Retirement Board, that's for public education employees.
• And that covers education, covers the state, covers all employees.
• Some separate universities and K-12 education.
• Um, for the Educational Retirement Board, it's a little different.
• Uh, the Educational retirement Board, the Public Education secretary, and the Higher Education secretary

Transcript Highlights:

• Our state board is made up of leaders in business, government, education, labor, economic, and community
• We also work closely with the Governor's Reach Office, the Florida Department of Education, the Florida
• This, of course, includes efforts like the Master Credential List, but it also includes education and
• Some of the non-traditional sectors include information technology, law enforcement, education, trade
• We have more than 118 different education programs with 18 different providers on our list.

Summary: The subcommittee met to receive an informational presentation from CareerSource Florida President and CEO Adrian Johnson, joined by Anthony Gagliano of CareerSource Suncoast, on the structure, funding, and services of Florida’s workforce development system. Johnson explained that CareerSource serves job seekers and businesses through 21 local workforce development boards and nearly 100 career centers, using federal and state funding streams such as WIOA, Wagner-Peyser, SNAP Employment and Training, and TANF. She described services including case management, training, wraparound supports, job matching, rapid response for layoffs and disasters, and business services such as recruitment, customized training, and on-the-job training. She also highlighted the REACH Act’s role in consolidating local boards from 24 to 21, creating the Master Credential List and Credential Review Committee, and implementing performance-based letter grades for local boards. Members asked detailed questions about funding formulas, letter grade metrics, apprenticeships, youth services, small business access, and the demand occupation list. Johnson said federal allocations are driven largely by unemployment and poverty formulas, which has reduced Florida’s WIOA funding by about $27 million over four years because of the state’s low unemployment rate. She explained the letter grades measure outcomes such as increased earnings, reduced public assistance, employment and training outcomes, work-based learning, business engagement, and service to individuals in certain programs, and said the system is being reviewed for possible changes, including removing extra credit and adjusting weights. On youth services, she said Florida has a waiver allowing a 50/50 split between in-school and out-of-school youth funding, and that local partnerships drive outreach. On the demand occupation list, she said it is based on state labor market data and projections, but local boards can submit evidence of local demand when data does not reflect conditions in their area. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on apprenticeships and workforce training grants. Johnson and Gagliano described apprenticeship navigators funded by the $7.75 million apprenticeship expansion allocation, which help employers navigate registration and expand apprenticeships into nontraditional fields such as IT, health care, education, and hospitality. Gagliano gave examples from CareerSource Suncoast and said navigators helped employers move faster through registration and develop programs with local education providers. Johnson also discussed Incumbent Worker Training Grants and Quick Response Training Grants, noting recent awards of nearly $3 million to 69 businesses and $6.5 million to 24 businesses, respectively, and said these programs are targeted toward high-skill, high-wage occupations and priority industries. The meeting ended with no votes or formal action; the chair thanked the presenters, invited follow-up questions, and adjourned the meeting without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• LEND stands for Leadership, Education, Neurodevelopmental-Related Disabilities, and I'm a self-advocate
• to real market, labor market needs. build skills, explore careers, and connect education to real market
• Because we know that disability employment spans education, workforce, health, transportation, human
• , and how that sometimes... ...fall through that cliff, educational and employment cliff.
• the public, educate the people who are impacted by these changes, because there are so many different

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Disability Employment Subcommittee met with roll call, approved prior meeting minutes, and shared an inspirational quote from Jane Goodall about the importance of every individual. Members then introduced themselves and their roles, including state disability advocates, providers, and commission members, before hearing a presentation from Katia Alpanis and Dina Klumkina of the State Exchange on Employment and Disability (SEED). SEED described its role as a technical assistance and policy resource for states, focused on sharing best practices and examples from other states to expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The presentation outlined SEED’s seven policy areas: career readiness and work-based learning, behavioral health and work, stay-at-work/return-to-work supports, employer recruitment and retention tools, entrepreneurship and disability-owned business development, interagency coordination, and state government as a model employer. Examples from other states included scholarship and transition supports in Kentucky and Virginia, stay-at-work programs in Alaska and Washington, accommodation funds in Minnesota, procurement and small business initiatives in New Jersey and Virginia, and model employer efforts in Colorado, New York, and Tennessee. Members also asked about digital accessibility and PEAT; SEED said PEAT has been refunded and that SEED can help with policy-level questions and peer examples, but not implementation of accessibility requirements. Discussion then shifted to possible Massachusetts projects. Members raised concerns about upcoming Medicaid work or civic engagement requirements and how people with disabilities might fall through the cracks, and they asked whether SEED could help Massachusetts use existing documentation, such as IEPs, to reduce barriers. The group identified two main areas for follow-up: a Massachusetts “state as a model employer” roadmap and a youth/young adult employment and volunteer pipeline, potentially linked to transition services and apprenticeship opportunities. SEED agreed to provide Massachusetts-specific analysis and two briefs, one on career readiness policies and one on state-as-model-employer strategies, and the subcommittee planned an offline follow-up meeting to narrow priorities and develop a scope of work.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development will come to order.
• Chair, and members of the Higher Education Committee. It is a pleasure to be with you.
• , the bill created with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
• Private investment in STEM education and ...of college with no workforce experience.
• Private investment in STEM education and workforce development solves this problem.

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development heard House Bill 3359, presented by Representative Wilson on behalf of Representative Riggs. The bill would create a 20% state income tax credit, capped at $10 million annually beginning in tax year 2027, for donations to registered school robotics/STEAM programs. Eligible contributions were described as cash, equipment, software, materials, supplies, and possibly employee volunteer hours, with a six-year sunset. Committee members asked for clarification on whether the credit applies to individuals or businesses, whether volunteer time by parents or other non-experts would qualify, which state agency would administer reporting, and whether the 20% rate should be higher. Wilson said the bill would need clarifying language, including on volunteer eligibility and the reporting department, and said he was open to revisiting the percentage and other details with the sponsor. The primary witness in support was Sarah Waldron, an 18-year-old Westminster Christian Academy senior and robotics team CEO who said she wrote the bill. She argued the credit would help businesses invest in robotics programs, address unequal access across Missouri, and strengthen workforce readiness in STEM and AI. She said the bill was intended to support business employee volunteer hours, not individual volunteer claims, and noted she had drafted an amendment to provide larger credits for under-resourced schools based on free-and-reduced-lunch percentages. Committee members praised her work and discussed how to target aid toward rural and under-resourced districts. One witness testified in opposition, State Public Advocate Arne C. A. C. Dinoff, who said he supported robotics and the student’s effort but opposed the tax credit because of the state’s budget deficit and the broader cost of tax credit programs. He objected particularly to subsidizing volunteerism and said robotics should be supported locally rather than through a state tax credit. The hearing concluded without a vote or other formal action on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• and special education.
• During his time in education, he also pursued graduate studies at James Madison University, earning a
• master's degree in reading education and educational leadership and school administration.
• Professionally, Pastor Scott spent 17 years in public education, beginning as a fourth-grade teacher
• Baker devoted decades to helping others, first as a social worker and educator, and later as a tireless

Keywords: March 13, 2026 - Regular Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But when you have people with severe disabilities, students with special education needs, and a growing
• Put on top of that what they might do to education and everything else.
• Put on top of that what they might do to education and everything else.
• Put on top of that what they might do to education and everything else.
• Put on top of that what they might do to education and everything else.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill calls for the State Board of The bill calls for the State Board of Education to adopt rules
• The State Superintendent, State School Board, associations, Department of Education, and the Lieutenant
• for education employees.
• I know as education we’re talking about the students, and I think that’s important.
• This is extremely important as far as law enforcement and education.

Bills: HB61, HB327, HB253, HB297

Keywords: home school, career and technical education, public schools, K-12 education, enrollment policy, parental leave, state employees, adoption, employee benefits, aircraft tax, aviation tax, sales tax exemption, use tax exemption, lease tax, rental tax, commercial aircraft, air carrier, airline, aircraft parts, maintenance

Transcript Highlights:

• retiring Mono County Board of Education retiring Mono County Board of Education member<00:44:45.800
• c> libraries with the education board also libraries with the education board also serving<00:45:29.079
• Prevention Services and safety education Prevention Services and safety education to<00:45:54.079
• People afford a higher education.
• You raised the issue of education.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the higher education and budget bill.
• Senate File Number One, an act relating to higher education.
• Senate File 1, House File 6, which is the Higher Education Finance and Policy Bill.
• We did the deepest dive I think that has ever been done in the higher education budget.
• We're talking about early childhood educators as in.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tax rate, and the technical changes to education finance.
• Property tax rate, and technical changes to education finance.
• <00:14:47.200> and Julia is an early childhood educator and Julia is an early childhood educator
• <01:06:46.920> yesterday your committee on education yesterday your committee on education
• educational attendance compulsory educational attendance requirements<01:16:43.720> for<01:16

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional reflection on Nowruz, the Persian New Year, emphasizing renewal, spring, and the challenges facing Iranian families amid conflict. The speaker connected the holiday’s themes of hope and responsibility to Vermont and democracy, then the chamber moved to routine business, including first readings and referrals of five House bills: H.945 on hemp products, H.946 on utility advertising and costs in rental agreements, H.947 on a residential universal design building code, H.948 on membership of the Retired Employees Committee on Insurance, and H.949 on homestead and non-homestead property tax yields and technical education finance changes. Three Senate bills were also read and referred: S.189 on hospital service reductions, S.203 on penalties for repeat DUI offenses, and S.313 on transforming Vermont’s career technical education system. The House also recognized several guests and announcements, including family members of members, airport employees, a UVM student intern, and visitors from Brazil. A House concurrent resolution, HCR 168, was read and congratulated Girl Scout Troop 60336 of Milton on earning the Bronze Award for a community garden project that improved accessibility through rain barrels and raised beds. The resolution highlighted the troop’s leadership and the role of its co-leaders, and the chamber applauded the guests in attendance. The main floor action centered on House Bill 642, relating to youthful offender proceedings, where Representative Booton of Barre City offered an amendment to stop the scheduled expansion of Raise the Age to 20-year-olds. Supporters argued the change would preserve current treatment of 18-year-olds while preventing an automatic expansion they said could strain the system and raise public safety concerns; opponents, including the Judiciary Committee, urged waiting for required Department for Children and Families reports due in 2026 before making changes. After debate, a roll call vote was taken on the amendment, with members calling the roll as the vote proceeded.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've made progress in the education.
• don't you think we need voter education don't you think we need voter education prior<00:42:31.000
• education about the topic. education about the topic.
• saying that, you know, up in education saying that, you know, our<01:20:28.160> education<01:
• talking about the education part of it. talking about the education part of it.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard several Senate bills. SB 2149 would exempt paternity proceedings involving allegations of domestic abuse from mediation and clarify the domestic abuse mediation exemption in divorce cases. The Department of the Attorney General and the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence supported the measure but recommended technical and conforming changes, including updating references from HRS Chapter 584 to 584A and aligning the language more closely with the Uniform Mediation Act. Members discussed whether the bill’s wording could limit who may bring a support person to mediation, and the chair suggested the intent was to preserve survivor choice while avoiding ambiguity. No vote was taken in the portion heard. SB 2203 would create an offense for law enforcement officers using masks or personal disguises. The Office of the Public Defender, ACLU of Hawaii, Legal Clinic, and many other supporters argued the bill would improve transparency, accountability, and public trust, while still allowing safety exceptions. Law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Law Enforcement, Honolulu Police Department, and the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office, raised concerns about operational needs, undercover and auxiliary units, body cameras, and possible supremacy clause issues if the bill is aimed at federal officers. The chair noted the bill appeared likely to move forward and asked agencies and advocates to work on possible amendments; testimony count was reported as 114 in support, 3 opposed, and 2 comments. SB 2251 would appropriate funds for the victim witness assistance program in the City and County of Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The prosecutor’s office supported the bill, saying it would replace shortfalls from declining federal funding and help maintain victim services and rights information. A former program director also testified in support. When asked, the office said it would not object to a simple reporting requirement. The committee then moved on to SB 2311, which would address claims against the state and add reporting and timing requirements; the Department of the Attorney General testified with concerns and recommendations, and members began questioning current practices for handling claims and settlements.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:50:11.760> and to the commissioner of uh education and to the commissioner of uh education
• safeguards in place for this education. safeguards in place for this education.
• education across the state. education across the state. defending<02:05:25.760> the<02:05
• As the chair of education students?
• <02:51:02.800> President, educate our children. So, Mr. President, educate our children.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And of course this is not anything more than an educational experience.
• /c><00:09:03.440> uh<00:09:03.839> uh educated about educ uh about uh uh educated about
• <00:09:11.200> But<00:09:11.440> what's educational experience.
• But what's educational experience.
• <00:53:31.280> more able to go online and get educated more able to go online and get educated

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: A presenter from Fast Health Corporation described a proposed Kentucky Health Command System tied to Senate Bill 175, which would create a state-sanctioned AI platform for rural hospitals and telehealth. The company said the system would help rural residents get health information remotely, triage minor issues, and escalate more serious cases to Kentucky providers, with use cases including blood pressure, diabetes, maternity care, smoking cessation, and other preventive-care topics. The presenter argued the system would help rural hospitals compete with out-of-state telehealth companies and keep patients connected to local care. The presentation also emphasized a commercial model the sponsor said would generate new revenue through ads and branded interactions, with the bill reportedly directing 80% of that revenue to rural hospitals and 20% to the state to maintain the system. The presenter said the technology would augment, not replace, doctors and nurses, and claimed it could improve access and convenience in underserved areas. Committee members raised concerns about liability, whether the AI could provide medical advice, and whether there was evidence it had reduced emergency room visits; the presenter said the system could not give medical advice and acknowledged the technology is still very new. The sponsor of the bill said the goal was to help transform rural health care, reduce unnecessary ER use, and capture revenue that would otherwise go to commercial search engines and out-of-state companies. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided, and the discussion ended with questions about branding, loyalty, and the legal limits of the AI system.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:57.280> or does not establish minimum education or does not establish minimum education
• rights that lists their exact education rights that lists their exact education and<00:26:58.200
• ,<00:31:27.800> and massage therapist, educators, and massage therapist, educators, and citizens
• <00:32:42.600> massage teaching and educating massage teaching and educating massage therapists
• <00:34:00.640> In Education and $300 annually.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• education schools. No private schools. education schools. No private schools.
• Education? Education? All<00:26:29.279> right.
• ,<00:47:59.040> those student access to education, those student access to education, those
• safety, and equal access to education. safety, and equal access to education.
• more piece about the educational more piece about the educational instructional<00:49:28.079>

Bills: HB0159

Keywords: student rights, free expression, K-12 education, speech protection, religious views, political speech, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As Representative Moller stated during the fiscal note, Office of Higher Education indicated that if
• Chair, there's some recommendations in the bill from the Office of Higher Education.
• <00:14:35.920> That's<00:14:36.200> the Office of Higher Education.
• That's the Office of Higher Education.
• <00:15:25.920> Committee serve on the Higher Education Committee serve on the Higher Education

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• and uh makes essential investments in health care, human services, housing, economic development, education
• That includes the education fund, funds.
• That includes the education fund, the<00:01:50.400> transportation<00:01:51.240> fund,<
• ,<00:02:54.960> public economic development, education, public economic development, education
• get the education and it raises<00:13:07.640> the<00:13:07.720> family<00:13:08.080>

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House Caucus of the Whole received a budget review from House Appropriations Chair Rep. Shay on H.951, the FY27 budget. He said the budget totals about $9.334 billion across all funds, with a 1.6% increase overall and a 2.1% increase in the general fund, and stated that it balances, fills required reserves, meets pension obligations, and largely reflects the governor’s January budget requests. He also noted that budget documents were emailed to members and that Appropriations Committee members and Joint Fiscal Office staff would be available in the House well during lunch for follow-up questions. Shay described the budget as divided into ongoing base appropriations and one-time appropriations. Major ongoing investments highlighted included funding for designated and specialized service agencies, home- and community-based providers, Medicaid skilled home health services, Bridges to Health, AHEC primary care loan repayment and provider placement, Vermont screening and referral clinics, VHIP housing support, the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, a homelessness and housing initiative, a disabilities housing coordinator, the Vermont Access Network, Flood Safety Act positions at ANR, a state mediator position, an attorney for the state ethics commission, an additional attorney at the Human Rights Commission, and funding for the Defender General’s public defense contracting and training. He also emphasized one-time funding for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, a pension and benefits funding task force, provider stabilization grants, Meals on Wheels, Vermont Legal Aid’s immigration attorney and hotline, rental arrears assistance, manufactured home repair programs, HomeShare expansion, NOFA food and farm programs, food banks, conservation districts, VSAC Freedom and Unity scholarships, and the Community Resilience and Disaster Mitigation Fund. No votes were taken during the presentation; the meeting ended after a brief opportunity for questions, with members directed to continue discussion during noon office hours.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would rather support our education in Arizona than in Michigan or other states.
• It increases money for education, period, end of story. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.
• We've already seen the dismantling of the Department of Education or the downsizing of it.
• prioritize the needs of all students, not just those who already have access to private education.
• The state uses it, meaning that the state can invest more money in education.

Bills: SB1142, SCR1028

Keywords: scholarships, tax credit, education funding, nonprofit organizations, Arizona Revised Statutes, constitutional amendment, state revenue, tax policy, legislative approval, two-thirds vote, 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I’d like to call to order the Conference Committee on Higher Education in the Senate and the House.
• Now I'm convening the conference committee on a higher education bill.
• <00:17:39.120> for<00:17:39.280> the HD1 SD1, relating to education.
• There's no way release education. Who did that refer to? I'm skating.
• <00:21:15.600> I'm education. Who did that refer to? I'm education.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Education Postsecondary will now come to order. Secretary, please call the roll.
• institutions, institutions, local governments, nonprofits, and educational institutions, local governments
• Policy, such as interfacing with groups like yourselves, research and education, self-evident, and then
• One of the things employers have been telling us is that if they had to choose between the educators
• It's why we're the number one state for education in the country.

Summary: The Committee on Education Postsecondary heard a presentation on Florida’s maritime and ocean economy from Florida Atlantic University, the College of the Florida Keys, and Star Center. Speakers emphasized the importance of maritime industries such as aquaculture, marine engineering, shipbuilding, transportation, coastal resilience, and offshore renewable energy, and described workforce programs, certifications, and partnerships designed to train students and workers for these fields. They also highlighted federal and state initiatives supporting ocean economy research and commercialization, including tech hubs and innovation programs. The committee then considered SB 312 relating to the Florida Institute of Human and Machine Cognition. Senator Gates explained that the bill would allow IHMC to create a subsidiary to commercialize research, similar to Moffitt Cancer Center. Senator Fine offered and the committee adopted a friendly amendment addressing board membership concerns tied to a University of West Florida trustee. However, after questions arose about whether the bill and analysis aligned on whether subsidiaries would be for-profit or not-for-profit, the bill was tabled. Finally, the committee took up SB 270 on the Bright Futures Scholarship Program. The bill would extend eligibility for students in certain military/public-service family situations, giving families more time to establish Florida residency after returning to the state. Senator Fine’s amendment was adopted to add AP Capstone Diploma students to the automatic Bright Futures eligibility provisions, alongside IB and Cambridge AICE students. The committee then reported the bill favorably as amended by a vote of 7-0, and adjourned.