Transcript Highlights:

• Under the flood mitigation assistance program, another key flood grant program that we manage is the
• Under the flood mitigation assistance program, another key flood grant program that we manage is the
• The FMA, the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program, is part of FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant
• Regarding technical assistance and funding as a policy recommendation, or our current programs?
• assistance programs.

Summary: The House Committee on Natural Resources met to focus on flooding issues across Texas, with particular attention to South Texas and the recent catastrophic flooding in Central Texas. Chair Harris and Vice Chair Martinez emphasized that flooding is a statewide problem requiring continued legislative attention. The committee heard invited testimony from Hidalgo County Commissioner David Fuentes and Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 General Manager Raul Sassine, who described the March flood event in Hidalgo County, including more than 20 inches of rain, six deaths, over $100 million in local damage, widespread road flooding, and repeated shutdowns of Interstate 2 and its frontage roads. They argued that existing drainage systems are under capacity, that TxDOT projects must account for downstream drainage impacts, and that local governments have already invested heavily in mitigation through bonds and partnerships. Fuentes and Sassine also described the county’s long-term flood mitigation and water-reuse efforts, including the Delta region water management project, which would capture stormwater, runoff, and treated effluent, reduce flooding, and create potable water supply. They said the drainage district manages about 780 miles of channels and 1,100 acres of detention facilities, has used prior Flood Infrastructure Fund and GLO grants, and has ongoing applications for additional state and federal assistance. Members discussed the need for TxDOT coordination, emergency access on frontage roads, local “skin in the game,” and the possibility of combining flood control with aquifer recharge and water supply projects. Texas Water Development Board Executive Administrator Brian McMath then presented an overview of the state’s flood planning and funding framework, including the post-Harvey legislative changes that created the Flood Infrastructure Fund, the Texas Infrastructure Resiliency Fund, and the regional/state flood planning process. He summarized the first state flood plan adopted in 2024, noting that about one in six Texans live or work in known flood hazard areas and that regional plans identified 4,609 flood risk reduction solutions with an estimated cost of $54.5 billion. He also reviewed TWDB programs for flood grants, community assistance, flood insurance compliance, stream gauges, TexMesonet, flood mapping, and the TexasFlood.org viewer. Members asked about drainage fees, technical assistance, gauge placement, the relationship between flood maps and FEMA FIRMs, and whether flood mitigation funds could support aquifer storage and recovery or recharge projects; TWDB staff said such projects can be eligible if they include flood mitigation components, but direct technical assistance cannot be paid from Flood Infrastructure Fund dollars. The committee concluded by expressing interest in further study of combining flood mitigation with aquifer recharge, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of these programs, a lot of the 32 programs, are established programs.
• So for that grant program, is that program construct already in place, and your better funding would
• program to assist applicants.
• Drinking Water for Schools Program, the Septic to Sewer Program, and of course the MLRP Program that
• Huge, we urge this committee to continue funding for our hulled water programs, drinking water for schools

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• program.
• But when we are constructing our programs with our employers, we really like to say they just have to
• We are trying to do a medical interpreter program, you name it. We have a driving school program.
• We've had several meetings trying to construct what the program could look like.
• We've had several meetings trying to construct what the program could look like.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Workforce Support Subcommittee met to discuss using registered apprenticeships to help address workforce shortages in disability services, human services, and other high-need fields. Co-chairs and staff introduced the session as a follow-up to earlier discussions with state labor officials and representatives from developmental disability and behavioral health provider associations. The panel focused on how apprenticeships can create paid, structured pathways into jobs while also supporting credentialing and retention. Amara Ramon of the Division of Apprenticeship Standards explained how Massachusetts apprenticeship programs are registered and supported, including the roles of apprenticeship liaison staff, operations, quality assurance, and grant support. She described the core features of apprenticeships—paid on-the-job training, related technical instruction, wage progression, and industry credentials—and contrasted them with internships or co-ops. Melissa Chabelli of the MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board described the intermediary role her board plays in designing programs, registering apprentices, coordinating employers, and handling compliance. She emphasized flexibility, employer investment, tax credits, retention benefits, and the importance of mentors and local workforce partnerships. Lisa Morris of UMass Chan/For Health Consulting described a developing apprenticeship for medical interpreters, built from an existing training foundation and designed to address the gap between classroom preparation and work experience. She said the model would combine pre-apprenticeship training, employer interviews, 2,000 hours of apprenticeship, and related technical instruction tied to national certification. Speakers also discussed examples for nursing, early childhood education, CNC machining, and programs serving neurodivergent learners, including Bridgewater State’s Excel program. In response to audience questions, panelists said state agencies can serve as intermediaries, recruitment can come through career centers, youth programs, community colleges, ESL centers, and incumbent workers, and accommodations or modified curricula can support apprentices with disabilities. No votes were taken; the session ended with encouragement for attendees to contact the presenters and Division of Apprenticeship Standards for help developing programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Admin administers the Assistive Technology Act in Minnesota through the STAR Program, which is the System
• Which ECU High School girls right? Which ECU High School girls basketball<00:32:45.960><c> 1/3.
• districts or or employees of school districts or or employees of school<00:36:40.640><c> districts</
• c><00:36:41.480><c> um</c> school districts um school districts um the<00:36:42.520><c> water</c><00:
• </c><00:52:30.040><c> the</c> prevent fraud or otherwise assist the prevent fraud or otherwise assist

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It basically addresses financial assistance to complete adoptions.
• Schools shall not be put in, I'm sorry, schools shall not put in place any policies which prevent a teacher
• superintendent, school nurse, school social worker, counselor, or librarian, School social worker, counselor
• bus drivers of those buses or just any school bus.
• bus drivers of those buses or just any school bus.

Summary: The House first established a quorum after a roll call and then moved through House Bills for Perfection, Informal. Members briefly recognized Doug Pitt and Crystal Simon of Care to Learn, with remarks highlighting the organization’s work providing clothing and other support to students in 60 communities and reaching about 130,000 students statewide. Several bills were then taken up and advanced. HB 2848, creating the offense of masked intimidation, was explained as targeting intentional harassment or threats while hiding one’s face; members discussed examples ranging from domestic intimidation to historical hooded groups, and the bill was ordered perfected and printed. HCS HB 1791, aimed at speeding building permits to help address housing costs and disaster recovery, drew debate over whether the 30- and 60-day permit deadlines would burden local governments; an amendment requiring code-enforcement staff to be certified in the adopted code was added, and the bill was adopted and perfected and printed as amended. HCS HB 2465, expanding small-business health coverage options by allowing one-person businesses to access group plans outside the ACA framework, was adopted and perfected and printed. HCS HB 2711, reducing the assessment rate on broadband infrastructure investment to encourage expansion, received amendments clarifying that the tax break is intended to promote broadband expansion; members debated whether upgrades within existing territories should qualify, and the bill was adopted and perfected and printed as amended. The chamber also advanced HCS HB 3080, restoring historic preservation tax credit language that had previously been struck down by the courts; supporters cited recovery and redevelopment projects in places such as Joplin, St. Charles, Independence, Odessa, and St. Louis, and the bill was adopted and perfected and printed. HB 1772, increasing state payments for adoption attorneys and separating guardian fees to help move children out of foster care more quickly, was described as a targeted effort to reduce legal barriers to adoption and was perfected and printed. HB 2096, raising state matching funds for regional planning commissions and updating the list of commissions, was also perfected. Finally, HCS HB 2913 and 3228, which would protect teachers and other school employees from liability when intervening to protect themselves or students in violent situations, was supported as a response to teacher concerns and was adopted and perfected and printed.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's item one, I believe, is the school facility—or is JLBC staff discussing school facility division
• construction?
• Chair, members will be discussing the school facilities division's construction cost index.
• Vice Chair, and then, yeah, for the state-only program—Senator Finch next—which are optional programs
• rather, and that's under the Medicaid program.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The same situation occurred with the local food procurement assistance program, which also experienced
• School lunch program.
• We realize how important this program is for our state, schools, students, and farmers.
• We are starting to already work with schools for next year under the Community Eligibility Program.
• part of the National School Lunch Program and the direct certification numbers within our state.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> state of Minnesota through our programs state of Minnesota through our programs um<00:03:50.480>
• It's been a really great program.
• or will participate in our that program or will participate in our current<00:14:44.680><c> program<
• We have a couple of new programs.
• </c> space we have a couple of new programs space we have a couple of new programs so<00:23:24.799><c

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> clarifies that for land banking program clarifies that for land banking program information<00:43
• And so this modest adjustment ensures that down payment assistance programs can work in tandem with real-world
• And so this modest adjustment ensures that down payment assistance programs can work in tandem with real-world
• And how is program program defaults?
• </c> companies talked about voice assistance. companies talked about voice assistance.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and the After School Snack Program.
• > those</c> national school lunch program and those national school lunch program and those are<00:06
• > that's</c> national school lunch program and that's national school lunch program and that's the<00
• > a</c><00:58:35.079><c> program</c> school school districts have a program school school districts have
• c> that</c> lease assistance to charter schools that lease assistance to charter schools that are<01:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Department of Education’s Bureau of Wellness and Nutrition presented an overview of the school meal and child nutrition programs it administers, including the National School Lunch Program, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), After School Snack Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Food Service Program, and Special Milk Program. Staff explained which programs are federally funded through USDA, which have state matching funds, and how reimbursement rates are set for different programs and fiscal years. They also walked the committee through a packet showing reimbursement tables, state and federal funding totals, and eligibility data. Members focused much of their questioning on how state and federal reimbursements work for lunch and breakfast, why lunch is shown as a state match while breakfast has meal-based breakdowns, and how the department allocates funds in the budget. The department explained that lunch uses a set state match tied to federal requirements, while breakfast reimbursement is based on meals served. They also reviewed FY 22-24 funding trends, noting higher federal spending during COVID-era waivers and lower amounts as those waivers ended. A committee member asked for the data in Excel and the department agreed to provide it. The discussion also covered summer meal programs and the distinction between the Summer Food Service Program and Summer EBT. Staff explained that SFSP provides meals at approved open or closed sites, while Summer EBT is a separate DHHS-run benefit program that provides funds to families; the two programs coordinate through data sharing but are not the same. Members also discussed CEP, with staff explaining that New Hampshire currently has three schools participating, that the qualifying threshold was reduced from 40% to 25% identified students, and that districts must cover the non-federal share with non-federal funds. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And try to implement new programs that'll help them increase those.
• Some other states actually have that attached to the Construction Price Index.
• Chairman, I will assist Senator in answering questions. Mr.
• with maintenance and construction.
• The bonding package deals specifically with construction. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, all right.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, and then we will talk about local food purchasing assistance program.
• Uh, and then we will talk about local food purchasing assistance program.
• Uh, and then we will talk about local food purchasing assistance program.
• Uh, and then we will talk about local food purchasing assistance program.
• 05:38.079><c> as</c><01:05:38.400><c> me</c> purchase assistance program as me purchase assistance program

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there a funding mechanism for this program?
• Is there a funding mechanism for this program?
• This bill creates a Renaissance grant program to assist the eight counties that have had declining populations
• , appropriately named the FARM program.
• Assistance with helping people apply for grants, communities, assistance with helping people apply for

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions recognizing FSU Day at the Capitol, Catholic lay leaders, seniors advocates, Broward County school officials, and veterans-related guests. The chamber then moved through its special order calendar, beginning with several Florida Statutes revision bills. SB 36 adopted the 2025 Florida Statutes and prior session law; SB 38 conformed statutory terminology for the Division of Criminal Investigations; SB 40 removed repealed provisions; and SB 42 cleaned up obsolete language, cross-references, and typographical errors. Each passed unanimously or nearly unanimously after brief explanations and no substantive debate. The Senate also passed CS/SB 50 on nature-based coastal resilience, as amended to strengthen the Florida Flood Hub’s role under USF and clarify research and modeling responsibilities; CS/SB 116 on veterans, which expanded veteran awareness and coordination efforts, added mental health training, and authorized adult day health care; SB 118 on presidential libraries, which preempted local regulation to give a future Florida presidential library maximum flexibility; CS/SB 126 on prescription hearing aids, allowing mail distribution for adults after appropriate professional evaluation; SB 150 on abandoning restrained dogs during natural disasters, amended to conform to the House; SB 294 limiting collaborative pharmacy practice from being expanded to certain serious cardiac conditions; and SM 314 urging Congress to increase Florida National Guard force structure. Most of these measures passed with strong bipartisan support, though SB 118 drew questions about local zoning, parking, and safety and passed 36-3, with one senator later changing to a no vote over local control concerns. Later, the Senate approved CS/CS/SB 322 creating a nonjudicial process for removing unauthorized persons from commercial property, and CS/SB 348 on ethics, which would penalize false claims of military rank or honors for material gain and require paycheck withholding for delinquent ethics fines owed by public employees. The chamber also passed CS/CS/SB 7012 on child welfare, which included a CPI/case manager recruitment program, a treatment foster care pilot in two judicial circuits, and improved data collection and capacity analysis for commercially sexually exploited children. CS/SB 108 on administrative procedures was adopted after a detailed explanation of rule review, transparency, and rulemaking deadlines, and CS/SB 160 on public accountancy passed after an amendment clarifying contracted services and discussion of CPA licensure pathways. The longest and most celebratory debate centered on CS/SB 110 for rural communities. The bill created an Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance grant program, housing and road funding, school and health care investments, and related rural support measures. Amendments refined transportation priorities in the Everglades agricultural area and clarified the FARM road program. Senators from across the chamber praised the bill as a long-awaited investment in rural Florida, agriculture, broadband, health care, and quality of life. After extensive debate and emotional closing remarks from the sponsor and leadership, the bill passed overwhelmingly.

Transcript Highlights:

• be able to fund and assist these abandoned cemeteries.
• Carrie West, who's going to assist in her testimony.
• Where did you go to school?"
• Stanford Middle School, Henry M. Gunn High School, and then middle college at Foothill College.
• Stanford Middle School and Henry M.

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a lengthy agenda of Senate bills, with most measures ultimately advancing on party-line or broad bipartisan votes after substantial testimony and several amendments. Early in the hearing, SB 418 by Sen. Menjivar was presented as a health access bill to codify ACA nondiscrimination protections in state law and require coverage for up to a 12-month supply of medically approved hormone therapy; supporters framed it as protecting continuity of care amid federal threats, while there was no opposition testimony. The committee later also took up SB 456, which would exempt muralists from contractor licensing requirements for commissioned fine art murals; supporters said recent enforcement had chilled mural projects and harmed artists and communities, and the bill passed unanimously to Appropriations. SB 641, part of the wildfire response package, and SB 774, a sunset review bill for the Department of Real Estate and Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers, also advanced with support and no opposition. SB 775 and SB 776, sunset extensions for the behavioral sciences, psychology, and optometry boards, passed after witnesses described technical changes and the need to keep the boards operating. SB 777, dealing with abandoned cemeteries, drew testimony from local governments, industry, and counties; after amendments removed a local takeover mandate and shifted the bill toward a stakeholder working group and study process, opposition softened or was withdrawn and the bill moved forward to Local Government. SB 790, on interstate reciprocity for online higher education, generated the most debate, with supporters arguing California students and institutions need stronger consumer protections and access to the national reciprocity framework, while opponents said the bill’s terms conflicted with the existing compact; it passed as amended to Appropriations after committee members emphasized continued work on student protections. The consent calendar, including SB 389 and SB 861, was also approved, and the committee adjourned after additional vote changes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• in the Florida Safe Schools K-9 program. $20 million for public school hardening, $20 million for security
• multiple first responder agencies. 3.3 million to provide assistance to schools to schools to participate
• in the Florida Safe Schools K-9 program. $20 million for public school hardening, $20 million for security
• Allocate a $25.5 million increase in operating funds for school district workforce education programs
• , the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, $11 million to improve care facilities and essential services for

Summary: The Senate took up the 2026-2027 budget and related implementing bills. Appropriations Chair Hooper presented a $115 billion General Appropriations Bill, saying it reduces overall spending from the prior year, preserves reserves, and includes a 3% raise for state employees and 5% raises for state law enforcement, firefighters, correctional officers, and park rangers. Committee chairs then outlined major budget areas, including K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and environmental/agricultural agencies. Highlights included increased funding for school safety, teacher and scholarship funding, workforce education, Medicaid and kid care, corrections operations, judgeships, affordable housing, hurricane recovery, Everglades and water quality projects, and arts and cultural grants. Members asked detailed questions about several items. Senators discussed the Emergency Management Trust Fund, cultural arts grant allocations, Florida Forever land acquisition versus conservation easements, teacher salary support, charter school capital outlay funding, Bright Futures and EASE funding, New College funding, DOC deficits and inmate health care/food service costs, the ADAP HIV drug program, Medicaid reductions for non-critical access hospitals, and the use of opioid settlement and COVID relief funds. Chairs explained that some apparent reductions reflected shifts below the line or reclassification, that the ADAP appropriation would only cover about six months, and that some vacant positions were being removed as part of a right-sizing effort. Questions also covered lottery staffing, concealed weapons permit processing, elections security funding, and arts grant selection and proviso language. The Senate then substituted House bills for the Senate budget and implementing measures, amended them into the Senate posture, and passed them. HB 5001 (the appropriations bill), HB 503 (implementing bill), HB 5201 (collective bargaining), and HB 5205 (retirement) all passed 36-0 and were sent to conference. Other budget-related bills also passed, including SB 2506 on fuel taxes, SB 2508 on the state agency law enforcement radio system surcharge, SB 2510 on court trust funds, SB 2512 creating 13 circuit and 12 county judgeships, SB 2514 on K-12 education, SB 2516 on higher education, and SB 2518 on health. Most of these passed unanimously, with the Senate requesting the House either pass the Senate versions or include them in budget conference.

Transcript Highlights:

• PROGRAM BUT IT WAS STRESSFUL BECAUSE AT THAT TIME THERE WAS ONLY TWO RESIDENCY PROGRAMS IN MIAMI AND
• I HAD TO WORK MY WAY THROUGH SCHOOL AND TO KNOW THAT KIDS CAN WORK THEIR WAY THROUGH SCHOOL, AFFORD TO
• THIS BILL SHIFTS ALLOCATION OF FEES AND SUPPORT PROGRAMS TO ASSIST UNDERREPRESENTED STUDENTS WHILE USING
• REGARDING FUNDS WHICH REWARD EXCELLENT NURSING PROGRAMS TO BE USED FOR HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY RELATED PROGRAMS
• AND TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAM SUPPORTS.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, this is a place that we have school, a school downtown where kids are walking to school, they're
• And so, this is a place that we have school, a school downtown where kids are walking to school, they're
• And so, this is a place that we have school, a school downtown where kids are walking to school, they're
• And so, this is a place that we have school, a school downtown where kids are walking to school, they're
• And so, this is a place that we have school, a school downtown where kids are walking to school, they're

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• TEAM PROGRAMS.
• SO THAT'S A STATEWIDE MUTUAL AID PROGRAM, HOW DOES IT TRANSITION TO THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE
• AND WE HAVE ASSISTED GOING OUT.
• ONE THING I LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT AND IT DOES MAKE US UNIQUE, WE HAVE OUR HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM 5.4
• ON THE POSSIBILITY OF ACCELERATING CONSTRUCTION OR IN THE BIGGER OUR PROGRAM IS MORE NEED TO FILL UP

Transcript Highlights:

• Lisa and I met in law school, so sadly, for my kids, they have a two-lawyer household. household.
• called Be Pro Be Proud, a statewide career technical education engagement program. ...to launch a program
• I know many of you have seen the program. He travels to high schools all over the state.
• Just this last August, the Be Pro Be Proud program started visiting correctional institutions around
• They can provide technical assistance as well as guidance on how to address these issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• It first specifies that schools operating TTK programs may supplement state funding with local levy funds
• to, out of this account, fund up to 10,000 additional early childhood education and assistance program
• One of the areas that we need some help and assistance with is to make the actual program more similar
• She has in the East Valley School District, Trent Schools, and they have a program that's been working
• And, you know, we've had this community and schools program, CIS, as it's called, do tremendous things

Bills: HB2289

Keywords: appropriations, budget, fiscal matters, state spending, general fund, supplemental budget, biennial budget, substitute bill, public defense, civil legal aid, courts, judicial branch, homelessness, supportive housing, affordable housing, behavioral health, juvenile rehabilitation, youth services, child welfare, foster care