Transcript Highlights:

• SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF CORPORATE OPERATIONS WHICH INCLUDES RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE SAFETY AND TRAINING
• SCOPE TO UNDERREPRESENTED STUDENT POPULATIONS, THE FIRST PART OF IT YOU'RE REMOVING THE TEACHER TRAINING
• ALL OF THE AMENDMENTS WERE ONLINE 641 THROUGH 655, I'M WONDERING WHY WE ARE REMOVING THOSE TEACHER TRAINING
• QUESTION SENATOR WE ARE DOING IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT BILLS THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION SUPPORT FOR TEACHER TRAINING
• THIS SESSION SO THIS PARTICULAR PARTNERSHIP WE'VE REMOVED THAT ELEMENT OF TEACHER PREPARATION AND TRAINING

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Unique Abilities and the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration in developing the training
• Unique Abilities and the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration in developing the training
• someone who writes IEPs for a living, I cannot stress enough how dangerous it is to assume workforce training
• So not providing adequate support to teachers for the training will ultimately hurt students because
• example, let me give you just a couple: Good Grubs down in Palm Beach County, where we teach culinary training

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met with a quorum present and observed a moment of silence for Senator Geraldine Thompson. The committee first took up CS/SB 102, a bill by Senator Gates directing the Department of Education to develop a workforce credential program for students with autism spectrum disorder or students on a modified curriculum, in coordination with the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities and OSHA. Supporters said the bill would help autistic students gain job skills and workplace safety credentials, while an opponent argued the bill should clearly make participation voluntary, expand to other exceptional student groups, include funding, and add stronger accountability. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered SB 166, the Administrative Efficiency in Public Schools bill by Senator Simon. The bill would reduce or remove several state mandates and give districts more flexibility on testing, teacher evaluations, contracts and certification, school board operations, instructional materials timelines, audits, facilities planning, emergency make-up days, federal fund use, and public VPK oversight. Senators asked about the impact on student proficiency, teacher evaluations, and the transfer of public VPK oversight to districts; Simon said the tests would remain but count as 30 percent of the grade, districts would retain flexibility in evaluation measures, and only public VPK would shift to districts. Public testimony was largely supportive, with some speakers praising reduced testing and local control, while one senator cautioned that Florida still has a math proficiency problem. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard CS/SB 296 by Senator Bradley, which would repeal the 2023 statewide mandate requiring later middle and high school start times and return the decision to local districts, while still requiring districts to inform the community about the health, safety, and academic impacts of sleep deprivation and consider later start times. Supporters argued the mandate created transportation, staffing, and scheduling problems and that local control was more practical, while opponents emphasized sleep science and the benefits of later start times for teens. Several senators discussed the tension between research and district resources, and the bill sponsor said the measure preserves the conversation about sleep while allowing local scheduling decisions. CS/SB 296 was reported favorably, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• is a major military installation that contributes to the national defense. and local economy by training
• In national security, as Senator Perry mentioned, Air Force Base provides critical military training.
• You know, about half of all Air Force personnel are trained at Shepard Air Force Base, and the base contributes
• University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, she received her doctorate. of family medicine training
• A program for trained engineers, physicists, mathematicians, and a beginning of the American space program

Bills: SJR3, SB5, SB21, SB72, SB703, SB764, SB790, SJR36, SJR3, SJR34, SJR18, SCR9, SB616, SB565, SB384, SB5, SB21, SB72, SB140, SB262, SB370, SB372, SB495, SB627, SB703, SB764, SB842, SB971, SB790, SB767, SB480, SB1066, SB929, SB765, SB523, SB62, SB19, SB18, SB666, SB688, SB707, SB888, SB687, SB706, SB847, SB869, SB890, SB992, SB1145, SB494, SB290, SB766, SB11, SB10, SB13, SB263, SJR3, SB5, SR172, SR176, SR177, SR190, SR193, SR194, SR202, SR203, SR208

Keywords: dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, research funding, state budget, prevention, healthcare, medical research, Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, research institute, funding, grants, state health initiatives, cryptocurrency, bitcoin, investment reserve, economic resilience, financial security, vehicle rental, damage waiver

Transcript Highlights:

• for developing, I would say, curriculums and processes by which people can be educated, they can be trained
• And so this concept of a... ...be trained and then they can enter directly into our workforce.
• What if we had a program as part of our transportation academy by which those inmates could be trained
• designate that at least 25% of the labor on that initiative be trainees that will experience on-the-job training
• and learning and bring the latest and greatest technologies and curriculums to help train those people

Summary: The Transportation Committee met and first considered SB 88, which would allow local governments to authorize utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) on certain low-speed county roads and municipal streets, with limits on who may operate them and where they may travel. An amendment from Sen. Wright was adopted to require minimum motor vehicle insurance, keep a registration certificate in the vehicle, and delay the effective date to January 1, 2026 for implementation. The bill drew mixed testimony: supporters said it would create a safe, locally controlled path for UTV use and reflect how the vehicles are already being used, while opponents from the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association and Florida Justice Association argued UTVs are designed for off-road use and lack the safety features needed for public roads. After debate, the committee reported CS/SB 88 favorably, with Sen. Davis voting no and several members expressing support while noting safety concerns for future work. The committee then heard SB 274, which designates a portion of International Drive in Orlando as Harris Rosen Way in honor of the late hotelier and philanthropist Harris Rosen. Sen. Arrington described Rosen’s business success and extensive charitable work in Central Florida, and the bill received supportive comments from committee members and a representative from UCF. The committee voted the bill favorably without opposition. The final item was a discussion on transportation workforce issues led by FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue, with remarks from Florida Transportation Builders Association president Dan Hurtado. Perdue said Florida’s growing transportation needs, an aging workforce, and projected retirements require a broader workforce strategy, including a proposed Transportation Academy, craft and trade programs, learning labs, and a transportation research institute. He said FDOT has already reduced vacancies through recruit-and-retain efforts and hiring events, but still needs more skilled workers. Hurtado said FTBA supports expanding workforce development efforts and noted the industry’s own Florida Connect Academy. No vote was taken on the workforce discussion, and the committee adjourned at the end of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• critically through our peer-led training critically through our peer-led training and<00:25:13.680
• > culturally Our trainings are peer-led, culturally Our trainings are peer-led, culturally grounded
• <00:27:18.560> and supported decision-making training and supported decision-making training
• supports with training. supports with training.
• home supports with training. home supports with training.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Confusion, inadequate training, constant changes in testing tools and measurements.
• Academic standards of homeschoolers is the responsibility. training, constant changes in testing training
• <02:46:28.960> that's structured literacy training that's structured literacy training that's
• So, um, we have this Cox Campus preschool training, um, as well as specific training for kindergarten
• specific training for kindergarten to as specific training for kindergarten to grade<03:02:30.880>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Education met on February 17 and announced it would limit public testimony to one minute because more than a thousand testimonies were expected on one measure. The first bill heard was HB 1934, relating to the Imagination Library of Hawaii. The state librarian and Friends of the Library supported the bill, saying the program is a proven, cost-effective way to improve early literacy and should be expanded statewide for children ages 0 to 5. Friends of the Library said the current 50/50 match requirement would be too difficult to meet immediately and asked for state funding for the first few years to help launch the expansion. Testimony included eight supporters and one opponent, and members asked whether the proposal was an expansion of an existing program; the state librarian said it would expand service beyond currently targeted communities. The committee then heard HB 20004, which would extend the floating librarian pilot program. The state librarian, Department of Education, HSTA, and several individuals testified in support. Supporters said the program helps address staffing needs and improves student readiness, especially for college and information literacy. One retired community college librarian said school librarians help students prepare for college and are increasingly important in teaching critical evaluation of misinformation and AI-generated content. Members asked about implementation of the existing pilot, including recruitment of certified librarians for neighbor island and Oahu complex areas; DOE said those positions had been identified and recruitment was underway, and existing funds remained intact. The final major discussion was HB 2398, which clarifies the library system’s role in RNMSP-related projects and public library construction on or near school land. The state librarian and public library system supported the bill, while the Department of Education and Attorney General’s office raised concerns about vague language, especially the phrase “land controlled by the board,” and suggested amendments. In questioning, the state librarian explained that the bill was prompted by conflicts on shared or adjacent school/public library sites, including traffic, pickup and drop-off access, and other operational issues. DOE described significant disruption from one project’s traffic changes and said planning for such projects should involve early coordination and formal agreements. The state librarian responded that the new bill would clarify oversight and help avoid delays and disputes over property control and future renovations.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also requires that MDE train staff from DNR to identify vernal pools and, when the staff encounter
• ,<02:02:32.320> or vocational, educational, training, or vocational, educational, training
• And you have the Department of Corrections, and the executive director of the training commission.
• And you have educational training, etc.
• the executive director of the training the executive director of the training commission.<02:04:

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, March 20, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with 38 members present and a quorum, then began with an invocation and several ceremonial introductions. The chamber recognized pioneering women of the Maryland State Police for Women’s History Month, including the original six female graduates and other firsts in the department, and also introduced the day’s doctor and a student intern. The Senate agreed to journalize the remarks honoring the Maryland State Police guests. The body then took up several Finance Committee bills, adopting committee amendments and favorable reports without objection on Senate Bills 385, 387, 389, 753, 469, and 608, each of which was ordered printed for third reading. SB 385 concerns immunization, screening, and preventive-service recommendations and pharmacist administration; SB 387 restricts predatory pricing and use of personal data by food retailers and delivery services; SB 389 makes transit-oriented development changes; SB 753 addresses financial exploitation protections for seniors and vulnerable adults; SB 469 authorizes a Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund affordability program; and SB 608 requires coverage for pharmacogenomic testing. Senate Bill 626, dealing with birth certificate sex designation changes and related identification documents, was briefly set aside at the request of a senator seeking possible amendments, with the presiding officer agreeing to hold it until the next session. Senate Bill 739, a climate change, homeowners insurance, and emergency management study bill, was also introduced with one amendment and sparked debate over its scope and funding, including discussion of a $150,000 Strategic Energy Investment Fund allocation and whether the study would examine the General Assembly’s own climate policies. The transcript ends during that discussion, before any final action on SB 739.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:53:59.160> program employment and training program employment and training program specifically
• and training to DCYF staff.<01:45:36.239> And<01:45:36.480> uniquely<01:45:37.040>
• The support that they're getting from their previous training and other things goes away, but if you
• The support that they're getting from their previous training and other things goes away, but if you
• The support that they're getting from their previous training and other things goes away, but if you

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• municipalities, we are training district attorney's offices, we are training law enforcement, we are
• training hospitals to add this guide as part of their standard of care.
• We are training hospitals to add this guide as part of their standard of care.
• Last week, our training committee worked on our fall EMS training officers workshops.
• We offer this training annually to guide those who train and teach our providers.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Ways and Means Committee held its final public hearing on the FY26 state budget, with chairs and members emphasizing that public testimony would help shape the budget and asking speakers to keep remarks brief. Committee leaders introduced members, explained the hearing process, and repeatedly thanked residents, students, and advocates for participating. No votes were taken during the hearing. Testimony focused heavily on education funding and the Chapter 70 formula. Students from Amherst, Northampton, Gateway Regional, Chester Elementary, and other districts described budget-driven cuts to electives, special education supports, paraprofessionals, counselors, transportation, and building maintenance. They urged higher Chapter 70 aid, increased minimum aid, rural school aid, and a reopening or restructuring of the funding formula, arguing that current formulas leave many districts unable to meet student needs and force local layoffs and overrides. Other speakers urged funding or protection for a range of programs and facilities, including the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute for homicide survivor services, the Museum of African American History, the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and CART/interpreter services, the Access to Counsel housing legal aid program, the Department of Mental Health and Pocasset Mental Health Center, and Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children. One speaker opposed offshore wind-related spending and urged a reset of the state’s energy approach, while another advocated ending the aircraft sales tax exemption. Committee members responded sympathetically to many speakers, asked a few follow-up questions, and several expressed support for maintaining or expanding the programs discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• He was removed sexual assault training from the military.
• He has training from the military.
• and training statuses. and training statuses.
• efforts and relentless training. efforts and relentless training.
• It's not simply about training harder. That's not the effect.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:48:45.599> and assessor qualifications training and assessor qualifications training and
• The next one is the daily cap on individualized home supports with training.
• The next one is the daily cap on individualized home supports with training.
• making sure that clinicians were trained making sure that clinicians were trained that<01:13:27.679
• <01:25:03.840> to of trying to get uh us potty trained to of trying to get uh us potty trained

Bills: HF3379

Keywords: housing stabilization, disability services, predatory funding, provider requirements, housing accessibility, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It was successful, and resumption of training and testing was directed on October 28, 2025, with KSP
• <00:48:01.839> and successful resumption of training and successful resumption of training
• Yes, we have weekly training for all the regional office employees, and we do continuous evaluations
• <01:02:48.079> that Yes, we we have uh weekly training that Yes, we we have uh weekly training
• need more training and more fine-tuning. need more training and more fine-tuning.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met for its sixth and final interim meeting after a brief technical delay, approved the October 14 minutes, and heard a presentation on a proposed Kentucky hands-free driving bill. The main discussion centered on distracted driving and a draft measure modeled on South Carolina law that would prohibit holding or supporting a mobile electronic device while driving on public roads, while allowing limited exceptions for parked/stopped vehicles, navigation, emergency reporting, dispatch systems, first responders, and certain hands-free call functions. The bill would make a violation a $100 fine plus court costs, with the draft allocating fine revenue to the traumatic brain injury trust fund, Kentucky trauma care system, and veteran program trust fund. The sponsor also said the bill would address prior concerns about enforcement and clarify that officers need a clear, unobstructed visual observation before stopping a driver, and that they may not search or seize devices or make custodial arrests solely for the violation. Alyssa Burns gave emotional testimony in support of the bill, describing the death of her young daughter Kimberly in a crash she attributed to a distracted driver and urging lawmakers to pass the measure to improve roadway safety. The sponsor cited Kentucky traffic fatality statistics, including 814 deaths in 2023 and an estimated 20% involving distracted driving, and argued that the bill could reduce preventable deaths. Several members voiced support and sympathy, including remarks comparing the effort to past seat belt legislation and suggesting possible future additions such as community service. One member raised concerns about enforcement and whether officers could reliably observe phone use inside vehicles, while another asked about the bill’s interaction with existing texting-while-driving penalties and whether points would still apply. The sponsor said the draft was still being refined, acknowledged gray areas, and invited further changes as the bill moves forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• It supports the development of new and expansion of existing education and training programs like the
• programs like the two new training programs like the two new family<01:42:36.480> medicine<01
• , practice capacity like supply training, practice capacity like supply um,<01:43:48.880> specialty
• as I'd say most of you around the room do, that clinicians are more likely to practice where they train
• team-based integrated um care training team-based integrated um care training to<02:10:36.239>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first handled roll call and approved the prior meeting minutes. Members discussed attendance and substitutions, then moved to the DHS commissioner’s update, which focused on New Hampshire’s Medicaid 1115 waiver and the new community re-entry initiative for people leaving correctional facilities. The presenter explained that the waiver lets the state cover certain services not normally covered under Medicaid, including substance use disorder treatment, serious mental illness services, adult dental benefits, and the new community re-entry component. She also noted that a separate youth re-entry component is federally required, with youth defined up to age 21 and foster-care-related coverage extending to age 26. The update described how the adult re-entry program works for incarcerated individuals with behavioral health needs, providing up to 45 days of pre-release services, care coordination with managed care organizations and DOC staff, telemedicine assessments, discharge prescriptions, insurance cards, and connections to community mental health, primary care, and substance use providers. For youth, the program includes more intensive case management, 30 days of pre-release services, and 30 days of post-release care coordination, with a stronger emphasis on screening, diagnosis, and holistic assessment. The presenter said New Hampshire received the adult waiver in July 2024, has implemented the program in state correctional facilities, and is beginning work at the youth center. Members and the presenter discussed why the program is structured as a waiver rather than a standard Medicaid benefit, with the explanation that CMS is allowing this as a newer policy area and that states generally pursue waivers for certain services. The chair and others emphasized the need for real cost and outcome data, and the presenter said an independent evaluator and evaluation plan are required under the 1115 waiver. Early results cited included 30 adults enrolled so far, 10 released, five youth enrolled with one released, and anecdotal early successes such as housing, employment, and better continuity of medication and treatment. The committee did not take any additional votes or formal actions beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• It'll tackle access barriers to reimbursement, training, and certification.
• to navigate sensitive topics training to navigate sensitive topics with<01:38:05.520> care.
• A trained medical interpreter would know how to navigate cultural sensitivities and the significance
• The difference between an interpreter and a medically trained interpreter is not just about language.
• <01:42:43.840> professional access to trained professional access to trained professional

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Our mission is to amplify their stories, create supportive spaces, and provide education and training
• I am writing to Education and Training I am writing to express<01:05:30.400> my<01:05:30.799>
• He said the instructor there is well trained, knows how to deal with autistic kids, is certified, and
• Virginia and uh she she's a well trained Virginia and uh she she's a well trained she<01:21:44.000
• So just, you know, knowing that the organization also puts on many trainings and offers assistance as

Bills: HF2296, HF1566, HF1854, HF1385, HF1142

Keywords: landlord-tenant, victim confidentiality, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, tenant privacy, housing law, eviction, unpaid rent, damages, release of information, shared database, protective order, victim of violence, Minnesota Statutes 504B.206, housing finance, civil law, autism, rental properties, reasonable accommodation

Transcript Highlights:

• The only training received had to do with definitions and vocabulary as it related to gender and sex.
• The only training received had to do with definitions and vocabulary as it related to gender and sex.
• <01:05:10.680> received<01:05:10.960> had follow it the only training received had
• that when women are different trained that when women are different than<01:06:56.400> men<01
• On the basis of that, a particularly trained agency gender identity committee makes a recommendation

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ” with “continuing education” in the annual training requirement.
• ” with “continuing education” and the annual dementia training requirements.
• ” with “continuing education” and the annual dementia training requirements.
• ” with “continuing education” and the annual dementia training requirements.
• ” with “continuing education” and the annual dementia training requirements.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Capacity, hiring, and training. I mentioned that we need to add capacity.
• Um, capacity, hiring and<02:57:56.319> training.
• I mentioned that we need and training.
• Training is super important.
• training. Training is super important. training. Training is super important.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The task force held its first meeting, beginning with roll call and introductions of members and participants in the room and on Zoom. The chair emphasized Sunshine Law transparency, noted the meeting was on September 11, and opened public testimony on the orientation report. No one testified in person or on Zoom, and the chair observed a moment of silence in remembrance of 9/11 before moving into the agenda. The chair then reported on several orientation presentations given statewide between July 18 and September 5, including meetings with transit-oriented development, the Maui Chamber of Commerce, the Kona-Kohala Chamber, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce on Hawaiʻi Island, the Hawaiʻi Island Chamber of Commerce, the Hawaiʻi Island Native Hawaiian Chamber, and the Capo Chamber of Commerce. The main presentation item was a detailed overview from Kauaʻi County on its permitting process. County staff explained that zoning and building permits are handled separately on the outer islands, with zoning focused on form, character, and compatibility, and building permits focused on health and safety. They described a two-tier zoning system: ministerial permits that are automatically approved if not acted on within 30 days, and discretionary permits that go to the planning commission and can become lengthy contested cases if there is intervention. They also discussed special management area review in coastal areas, which can add time, and explained that building permits must conform to what was approved in zoning. Kauaʻi County staff also outlined the building permit process, including online and in-person submission, coordination with planning, engineering, water, wastewater, health, and fire agencies, and the county’s fully electronic review system using ProjectDox and related software. They noted that applicants are encouraged to check zoning, water, wastewater, and floodplain issues before hiring someone to prepare plans, especially for homeowners. The county shared permit and utility statistics and said the public can check permit history through Click2Gov. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided; after the Kauaʻi presentation, the chair opened a question period for members.

Transcript Highlights:

• previously appropriated in 2022-23, in order to continue the targeted emergency medical technician training
• I'm not sure how my colleagues will manage for Panel B and C, but for Panel C... training program.
• So it's a collaborative process, making sure that we have plenty of time for testing and training.
• training, and that's correct, yes.
• Iyer Lewis, Grip Training Institute, also TPW, also in support of the Wright Grant. Thank you.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• not educated in these laws, there's absolutely a very high probability that that officer who's not trained
• through this bill, Representative Yarborough proposes to divert more of our state resources to... trained
• in the law is many times is trained in the law is many times is going<01:01:30.400> to<01:01:
• they wanted to, they could take the $50,000 hiring bonus to work for ICE and skip the intensive training
• they wanted to, they could take the $50,000 hiring bonus to work for ICE and skip the intensive training

Keywords: 1136, house, all