Transcript Highlights:

• two programs that preceded the fund: the school safety pilot program and the rural county interoperability
• The school safety interoperability fund and two programs that preceded the fund, the school safety pilot
• I mean, we're appropriating on an annual basis $82 million for our school safety grant program.
• We have a couple of rural schools that are like kindergarten through high school.
• We have a couple of rural schools that are like kindergarten through high school.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• teaching at FAU High School.
• , County School system and ended my last four years in the down there teaching at FAU High School.
• , School Readiness Program, which ages birth basically to age 13.
• Early learning, you have two primary programs: School Readiness Program, which ages birth basically to
• Early learning, you have two primary programs: School Readiness Program, which ages birth basically to

Summary: The committee held its first meeting and received an overview of the Pre-K-12 education appropriations jurisdiction and base budget. Staff explained that education funding is driven largely by enrollment and per-student formulas, with most money coming from state and local sources. The presentation highlighted the major budget areas: early learning, the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP), non-FEFP K-12 programs, federal programs, and the State Board of Education. Members asked about instructional materials funding and how scholarship students who return to public schools are counted and funded; staff explained that instructional materials remain in the base and that funding depends on survey timing, with districts ultimately funded through the enrollment count process. The committee then reviewed federal IDEA funding for students with disabilities. Department of Education officials explained how IDEA Part B funds are split between state set-asides and local educational agencies, and noted that Florida ranked fourth nationally in total IDEA Part B funding and received a 95% state determination for meeting IDEA requirements. They also described the bureau’s responsibilities, including monitoring, dispute resolution, instructional support, and the Hope Florida unit for ages 3 to 5. Members asked for more information on student performance outcomes and how the state measures success beyond compliance, and the department agreed to provide follow-up data. The final major topic was the Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS), including associate centers, multidisciplinary centers, and specialized centers for deaf/hard of hearing and visually impaired students. Presenters described services such as child find, family support, assessments, professional learning, accessible instructional materials, and technical assistance. Committee members focused on whether families and schools have equal access to services across the state, how IEP disputes and reevaluations are handled, and whether more support is needed for parents, teachers, and rural districts. FDLRS representatives said they do not write IEPs but help connect families to districts, provide training and assessments, and support compliance and data collection; they also emphasized staffing and resource needs, especially for low-incidence disabilities and multilingual family outreach.

Transcript Highlights:

• High school football, there's a benefit to high school football, but does involve serious risk of harm
• High school football, there's a benefit to high school football, but does involve serious risk of harm
• High school football, there's a benefit to high school football, but does involve serious risk of harm
• High school football, there's a benefit to high school football, but does involve serious risk of harm
• High school football, there's a benefit to high school football, but does involve serious risk of harm

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so witness Shannon Kelly is a director of the National High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program
• With a score of 35 out of 36 on the ACT exam, combined with his stellar high school grades and athleticism
• We're trying to put, we put this big campaign together, got all the high school kids and even junior
• Interdiction Coordinator and Director, National High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program. Ms.
• As you know, the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program, known as HIDTA, is a cornerstone of how

Keywords: Coast Guard, maritime drug enforcement, illegal drugs, fentanyl crisis, legislative reforms, public testimony

Summary: The meeting of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation addressed critical issues surrounding maritime drug enforcement and the Coast Guard's role in stopping the influx of illegal drugs. The chairman highlighted the alarming consequences of current policies allowing drugs to cross borders, emphasizing the need for legislative reforms, such as the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 2025. There was an intense discussion regarding the operational challenges faced by the Coast Guard, which has recently made significant drug seizures, indicating progress but also revealing gaps that need addressing. Several witnesses, including victims of the drug crisis, shared their compelling testimonies, which underscored the urgency for stricter controls and comprehensive support for law enforcement agencies involved in drug interdiction efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• program in civics. program in civics.
• school equivalency diploma.
• school equivalency diploma.
• school equivalency diploma.
• school equivalency diploma.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• High level, high level, if you will, as the chairwoman described, we are the sixth largest state agency
• High level, high level, if you will, as the chairman described, we are the sixth largest state agency
• This program helps schools, libraries, and others afford internet services.
• We work closely with the FSU School of RMI, which is risk management insurance, which is a great program
• And so it's a very high-interest program throughout the state.

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met for an introductory overview of the agencies under its jurisdiction and their current-year budgets. Chair Vicki Lopez welcomed members and staff, and each member briefly introduced themselves and identified areas of interest, with recurring themes including fiscal restraint, insurance regulation, revenue administration, condominium issues, and government efficiency. The chair then outlined the subcommittee’s overall budget, about $3.1 billion, and noted major recent policy areas affecting the budget such as condominium legislation and emergency communications funding. Agency heads then presented high-level summaries of their missions and budgets. The Department of Revenue described property tax oversight, tax administration, and child support enforcement; the Department of Management Services reviewed state purchasing, telecommunications, fleet, state insurance, retirement, and digital services; DBPR highlighted licensing, enforcement, condominiums, and building code work; DFS covered insurance consumer services, risk management, unclaimed property, fire marshal functions, and criminal investigations; the Gaming Control Commission discussed pari-mutuel and tribal gaming oversight and enforcement; OIR explained insurer solvency and rate review; the Lottery emphasized education funding and record sales; OFR described regulation of banking, securities, lending, and money services; DOAH outlined administrative and workers’ compensation adjudication; PSC covered utility rate regulation and consumer complaints; PERC described labor relations and career service appeals; and FCHR summarized discrimination complaint investigations and outreach. Several members asked questions about utility returns, insurance regulation staffing, DMS’s state employee health plan deficit and prescription drug formulary management, agency recommendations for reducing regulatory burden, and state facilities usage. Responses generally emphasized that utility rates and insurer filings are determined through evidentiary and actuarial processes, that OIR has reduced vacancies but still seeks specialized staff and a Tampa office expansion, and that DMS acknowledged rising health plan costs and said the issue likely requires broader budget-level discussion. The chair also pressed multiple presenters to stay focused on agency operations and budgets rather than broader policy issues. No votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I go to school at high school. Our... is net. All right, thank you.
• Zay Beck I go to Paul's high school our Zay Beck I go to Paul's high school our mascot<00:01:42.759><
• <00:01:55.960> at<00:01:56.840> high andent my name is I go to school at high andent
• my name is I go to school at high school<00:01:57.640> our<00:01:58.280> isnet And I'd
• High School page myself was a a former High School page myself as<00:03:00.080> well<00:03:00.239

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• She's 18 years old and she's a senior in high school.
• Uh she goes to senior in high school.
• concurrent enrollment courses in high concurrent enrollment courses in high schools<01:29:53.360
• the high schools this it's it's a great program<01:35:53.280> this<01:35:53.600> change
• > has acquired a high school diploma or has acquired a high school diploma or has reached<01:56:33.280

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c> by<00:30:00.159> head Run High School Cougars led by head Run High School Cougars led by
• The Secure Rural Schools this program.
• 15.920> that Reauthorizing SRS program means that Reauthorizing SRS program means that schools
• school as myself, Boland Central Catholic High School.
• Catholic High School. Jay served as in Catholic High School.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• program.
• Bill 1635 and House Bill 3631 specifically apply to school districts classified as high-wealth under
• not a roof at the high school.
• property or school-sponsored or school-related events.
• row, sometimes upwards of five years in a row for some of the high schools and other schools in that

Summary: The Committee on Education K-16 heard testimony on SB 1635, which would give certain coastal, recapture-paying school districts a credit against recapture payments for mandatory windstorm and hail insurance costs. Senator Hinojosa said the bill is intended to offset unusually high insurance expenses for districts in Tier 1 or Tier 2 coastal zones, and he estimated about a $12 million impact to state revenue. Witnesses from Port Aransas ISD and Gregory-Portland ISD described sharp premium increases, reduced coverage, higher deductibles, and the effect on teacher pay and classroom spending. Senators asked about the number of affected districts, the accuracy of the fiscal estimate, and whether the bill might encourage districts to maintain coverage. Public testimony was closed and SB 1635 was left pending. The committee then took up several other bills and committee substitutes, adopting and reporting favorably SB 2786, SB 2623, SB 646, SB 843, SB 2392, SB 1998, SB 1418, SB 2788, and SB 2076, with most votes unanimous or near-unanimous. SB 2392 was amended to add improper relationship between educator and student to mandatory reporting offenses and to authorize an attorney general civil penalty for failure to report. SB 2623 was revised to clarify duties and exemptions related to the Safe Schools and Neighborhood Task Force and school proximity restrictions. SB 843 would create a TEA database of school district bonds and related projects, and SB 2788 would exempt certain PSAT scorers from the Texas Success Initiative assessment. The committee also heard SB 2929, which would allow referees and other officials at school athletic events to immediately eject disruptive spectators. The Texas Association of Sports Officials testified in support, citing abusive spectator behavior and a shortage of officials. SB 2929 was left pending. Finally, the committee heard a substitute for SB 2927 on 1882 partnerships and a substitute for SB 2619, which would require more transparency and accountability for failing school districts, superintendent hiring, trustee training, and takeover timelines. Testimony on SB 2619 was mixed, with one witness from Texas 2036 supporting parts of the bill’s accountability provisions. The committee adopted the substitute for SB 2619, left it pending, and then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• students right out of high school.
• These are programs that lead to jobs right out of high school.
• We have the health sciences program leading to a licensed nursing assistant right out of high school.
• These are programs that lead to jobs right out of high school.
• We have the health sciences program leading to a licensed nursing assistant right out of high school.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• program.
• Programs.
• , our Part C Early Intervention Program, our parent-infant program through the School for the Deaf, hospital
• Then we have a group in a facility license: center, preschool, school-age, multi-license programs.
• So a program might be a center; they might also have a school-age license or a preschool license, or

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Human Services Committee met in interim session and first approved the previous meeting minutes before receiving a series of presentations on homelessness and housing stability. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency updated members on the new Interagency Council on Homelessness, describing its executive-order mandate to review resources, gather input from stakeholders, identify gaps, and develop recommendations. She said the council’s first work is building a statewide program matrix of existing homeless services and funding sources, with attention to youth, tribal communities, and other vulnerable populations. Members raised concerns about youth homelessness, homeless veterans, and how the council will stay focused on a practical framework rather than getting lost in details. The committee also discussed possible connections to the rural health transformation grant and agreed to continue the topic later in the spring. Beth Olson of Presentation Partners in Housing described the organization’s housing-first model in Cass County and Clay County, including homeless prevention/diversion, housing navigation, and Cooper House, a 42-unit permanent supportive housing building in Fargo. She said the organization focuses on people with long-term and chronic homelessness, many with mental health, addiction, health, domestic violence, and Indigenous identity-related barriers, and reported strong outcomes: 85 of 86 people housed in 2025, 91% still housed after one year, and major reductions in emergency room use, ambulance rides, jail stays, detox days, and shelter use. She also explained that state funding has grown from a small share of the budget to about $1.1 million in state-connected funding for fiscal 2026, largely through contracts tied to supportive services. Members asked about vouchers, rent contributions at Cooper House, length of stay, and whether similar projects could be expanded elsewhere. Andrea Olson of the Community Action Partnership of North Dakota outlined statewide homeless and housing-related services delivered through six community action agencies in all 53 counties. She explained the Community Services Block Grant structure, said housing was identified as the top need in the most recent statewide needs assessment, and described programs including Supportive Services for Veteran Families, North Dakota Homeless Grant services, and Home ARP supportive services. She emphasized that the end of North Dakota Rent Help has increased pressure on the system, that the current $2 million annual homeless grant is far smaller than prior rent-help assistance, and that community action is using case management and financial assistance to move households toward self-sufficiency. Members asked about funding formulas, rural service delivery, and coordination with Presentation Partners to avoid duplication. YouthWorks then began a presentation on youth homelessness, describing services for ages 12 to 24, the special needs of youth and former foster youth, and the organization’s use of federal and state funds to support transitional housing, emergency shelter, maternity housing, and diversion services.

Transcript Highlights:

• where we basically created a recertification or retraining program for school psychologists.
• We've basically created a recertification or retraining program for school psychologists.
• They might not have been trained in school psychology, but we are able to run them through this program
• We have this pilot program with the school psychology recertification, and we want to potentially apply
• The agency will implement a pilot program limited for women with high-risk pregnancies to offer nutrition

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ecology oversees an electric school bus grant program, as well as the performance monitoring for the
• In terms of the actual scoring of the programs, for programs that are really achieving high scores across
• So, like, I hear a lot of families complain about high-speed traffic during school hours and such.
• So like I hear a lot of families complain about high-speed traffic during school hours and such.
• high-speed traffic during school hours and such. So what benefit there?

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So these classifications are how we compare our schools to similar schools nationwide.
• Any school having those programs benefited by receiving some of these funds.
• It focused recurring funding on programs such as medicine, law, and business in any school having those
• The line program, The LEY program was created in 2022 as well to help grow university nursing programs
• Graduate tuition, unlike undergraduate tuition, varies by school and by program.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education received a presentation from Tim Jones, Senior Vice Chancellor and CFO for the State University System of Florida, on the system’s funding methodology, budget structure, tuition, and performance-based funding. He outlined the system’s scale, including 12 universities, more than 430,000 students taking classes, about 78,000 employees, and a roughly $20 billion operating budget. He also reviewed tuition levels, noting Florida’s low resident undergraduate tuition, the lack of tuition increases since 2013, and the distinction between state-set resident tuition and Board of Governors authority over other tuition categories. Jones described several funding components, including performance funding, preeminence funding, faculty recruitment and retention programs, universities of distinction, nursing pipeline and matching programs, and operational enhancements. He explained that performance funding is based on a 100-point model tied to retention, graduation, employment, and other metrics, with student success plans required if scores decline or fall below 70 points. He said the current performance funding allocation is $350 million and the legislative budget request seeks $400 million. He also said the new SUS 30 strategic plan will lead to updates in the performance metrics and benchmarks, with some changes possibly phased in over time. Senators asked questions about how the new strategic plan will affect future scoring, how long universities have to improve after declining scores, and how out-of-state enrollment and tuition are handled. Jones said universities will be evaluated on the current metrics for the upcoming budget cycle, while the new plan’s changes will be developed later and may include glide paths. He also said there is no statutory cap on nonresident students, though the Board of Governors has a 10% systemwide guideline under discussion, and that graduate out-of-state tuition varies by program and requires institutional and Board of Governors approval. No votes were taken, no public testimony was offered, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:57.360> School The McGill-Toolen Catholic High School The McGill-Toolen Catholic High
• High School Athletic Association Alabama High School Athletic Association adopted<00:12:16.120> the
• <00:14:50.360> School McGill-Toolen Catholic High School McGill-Toolen Catholic High School
• And we congratulate Plainview High School. Thank you.
• to graduate from high school with a plan to graduate from high school with a plan for<00:24:30.640

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A Little Rock native, John graduated from Catholic High School in 1941 and is currently the school's
• A Little Rock native, John graduated from Catholic High School in 1941 and is currently the school's
• This will be Bubba Luckett's final year coaching high school basketball.
• high school basketball Bubba coaching high school basketball Bubba became<00:24:47.240> the<00
• Christian Brothers High Christian Brothers High School<00:28:20.440> to<00:28:20.640>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, March 24, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have the honor to introduce the Case High School girls softball team, who have three-peated and have
• won three consecutive years of the Division Four high school softball championship.
• school softball championship.
• But it's got great history at the school, and this program is a big part of it as it relates to commitment
• Chris was a four-year varsity player for the Gloucester High School Fishermen, serving as co-captain

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and several brief recognitions of visitors, including the Case High School girls softball team, which was congratulated for winning three consecutive Division Four state championships, and Bonnie Allen, the Senate reading clerk from Oregon, who was welcomed with her family. Later, Senator Collins introduced participants in the Ward Fellowship from Boston Latin School, noting the program’s focus on public service and summer internships. On the legislative calendar, the Senate took up Senate No. 2507, a bill establishing the Gloucester Fisheries Commission. Senator Tarr offered and the chamber adopted an amendment substituting a new draft, Senate No. 2566, titled an act further regulating the Gloucester Fisheries Commission. The bill, as amended, was then passed to be engrossed. The Senate also acted on several committee and House papers, suspending rules and Joint Rule 12 as needed to refer matters to committees. In addition, House No. 4307, a bill establishing financing for long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges, was ordered to a third reading. The Senate adopted an order to meet again on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. in a formal session with a calendar. Senator Tarr then moved that the Senate adjourn in memory of Christopher J. Daley of Gloucester, age 18, who died in a car accident; he was remembered for his school, sports, and community involvement, especially hockey, and for his plans to attend Coastal Carolina University. The motion was adopted, a moment of silence was observed, and the Senate adjourned in his memory.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's, at a high level, what the bill does.
• That's over at a high level what the bill does.
• Throughout high school and college, I was an opportunity youth before I even knew what the term meant
• Throughout high school and college, I experienced homelessness.
• school.

Summary: The subcommittee heard testimony on a broad agenda of workforce, labor, and workers’ compensation bills. HB 4676 would require political subdivision workers’ compensation networks to follow the same notice, access, and complaint rules as certified TDI networks; supporters said public employees and first responders deserve equal access to care, while municipal risk pool representatives opposed added regulation and said existing 504 networks already perform well. HB 4479 would create a rural workforce development grant program at TWC to support college-and-career readiness and local workforce alignment, and HB 3844 would define “opportunity youth” in state law to improve data, coordination, and access to services for disconnected young Texans; both drew strong support from rural, education, and chamber witnesses. HB 5545 would clarify federal tax treatment for wage-replacement benefits in non-subscriber injury benefit plans, with proponents calling it a win for employers and injured workers. HB 5118 would direct TWC and DIR to study AI and automated employment decision tools in hiring, including bias and oversight concerns. HB 1667 would move existing PTSD workers’ compensation language into a broader Labor Code chapter so more first responders, including state and campus officers, could qualify for benefits; supporters called it a technical fix to extend coverage more evenly across agencies. The committee also heard several first-responder and workers’ compensation bills. HB 2369 would speed up claims handling for injured first responders by allowing a single medical evaluation, giving carriers 60 days to accept or deny a claim, and letting workers seek treatment while disputes proceed; law enforcement supporters said it would help injured officers return to work faster, while opponents warned it would revive extent-of-injury waiver problems and increase litigation. HB 4483 would reclassify certain workers’ compensation maintenance taxes as surcharges to reduce retaliatory taxes imposed by other states on Texas-domiciled carriers, and HB 875, as revised by committee substitute, would create a small-project exception to municipal workers’ compensation and bonding requirements for certain low-value construction contracts in small cities; both were presented as cost-saving measures for Texas employers and local governments. HB 4415 would extend anti-retaliation protections for workers’ compensation claimants from first responders to all public employees and expressly waive sovereign immunity for those claims, with supporters describing it as closing a loophole that leaves public workers without the same remedy available in the private sector. The committee also took testimony on HB 5400, which would expand remedies for sexual harassment victims by removing the requirement to first file an administrative charge, extending the filing deadline from 300 days to two years, clarifying retaliation, and eliminating current damages caps. Supporters, including employment lawyers and a parent of a victim, said the current deadlines and caps prevent many survivors from obtaining counsel or full relief, especially younger workers and those in small workplaces or franchises. Across the agenda, witnesses repeatedly emphasized access to care, fair treatment for injured workers, rural workforce development, and stronger protections for vulnerable employees. After each bill was laid out and testimony heard, the chair generally closed the public hearing and left the bill pending; no final votes were taken, and the subcommittee adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• And sometimes they are funded from federal grant programs.
• high-rises that became a safety issue after Hurricane Wilma.
• and then the basketball program.
• And we have had tremendous participation in the program.
• We're developing and piloting the program components.

Summary: The Education Postsecondary Committee held its first meeting and focused on state university centers and institutes, with an overview from the Board of Governors on how the more than 500 centers and institutes across Florida’s public universities are categorized, overseen, and reported. The Board described three categories: state-level centers, legislatively established centers, and university-established centers. Members were told universities must maintain policies, notify the Board of changes, publish public inventories, and submit annual reports and compliance certifications. Senator Harrell asked about funding sources and whether underperforming centers are reviewed for elimination; the response was that funding varies by center and that universities decide whether to maintain or disband centers under their own policies, with annual reporting and audit findings shared with the Board. Four university presentations followed. Florida Atlantic University highlighted its Center of Excellence in Biomedical and Marine Biotechnology, describing research in marine-derived drug discovery, genomics, imaging, cancer, neurodegenerative disease, and ocean sustainability, along with spin-off institutes and partnerships that have generated significant grant and contract support. FIU presented its Center of Excellence for Hurricane Damage Mitigation and Product Development, emphasizing the Wall of Wind facility, hurricane and water intrusion testing, code and product innovation, insurance modeling, and future expansion toward higher wind speeds and flood simulation. Florida State University’s High-Performance Materials Institute described work in advanced materials, aerospace composites, sensors, nanocomposites, and AI-enabled materials development, along with patents, industry partnerships, and new facilities tied to economic development. The University of Florida’s Lastinger Center for Learning outlined its work on teacher professional learning, literacy, New Worlds Reading, tutoring, and mathematics supports, including microcredentials, statewide book distribution, and early results showing improved reading confidence and growth. Members generally praised the centers for their research, commercialization, workforce development, and education impacts. Senator Jones and Senator Harrell commended the Lastinger Center’s literacy work and the broader return on investment from these programs, while Senator Berman noted the value of the synergies across institutions. The chair emphasized that future funding requests should clearly show measurable success, commercialization, and statewide impact. The committee then adjourned without any formal votes on legislation.