Transcript Highlights:

• international the Uniform Commercial Code, just as we do the International Building Code, the National Electric
• conformity issues, and we always have the right to have exceptions like we do with the National Electric
• And what I have for you here with House Bill 585 is the plan to put shot clocks on mechanical, electrical

Committee: House Business

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 702, which would amend Idaho’s Uniform Commercial Code provisions governing securities entitlements. The sponsor and a guest attorney argued the bill would restore investor priority over banks in the event of a major Wall Street failure, saying current law gives secured lenders priority when brokers or custodians pledge customer securities without consent. Several members questioned whether the bill was broader than described, whether it mainly affected margin accounts, and whether it should be handled at the state level at all. After discussion, a motion to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation failed 8-7, and the committee then moved to hold the bill in committee at the call of the chair while members sought more information and further discussion. House Bill 562, sponsored by Representative Sauter, would extend the notice period for property insurance nonrenewals and cancellations from 30 days to 60 days for both residential and commercial policies. The sponsor said the bill was intended as a consumer protection measure to give policyholders more time to find replacement coverage or resolve issues with their current carrier, and he noted it would not change the 10-day notice for nonpayment or the separate timeline for rate changes. Committee members asked about existing contract language and whether a longer notice period could discourage insurers from writing policies in Idaho; the sponsor said he had not heard that concern from carriers and was open to adjusting the effective date. The committee approved a motion to send the bill to general orders. The committee then considered House Bill 585, which would impose “shot clocks” on mechanical, electrical, and plumbing inspections, similar to last session’s building inspection timelines. The sponsor said local governments would have 48 hours to complete inspections or refund the fee so a private third-party inspector could be used, and would have to provide written reasons for a failed inspection within three business days. Testimony from a third-party inspector and the Idaho Associated General Contractors supported the bill, saying it could save time and money and help keep projects moving. The committee adopted a due pass motion and sent the bill to the floor. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 545, which would create a pathway for certain military chaplains to become licensed professional counselors in Idaho based on their Master of Divinity, military counseling experience, and related clinical pastoral education. The sponsor and supporters said chaplains already provide substantial counseling in military settings and should be able to serve Idahoans, including veterans, while critics from the counseling profession argued the bill would bypass important counseling coursework, the national counselor exam, and existing gatekeeping standards. After extensive testimony from both sides, including questions about training, testing, supervision, and public protection, the committee had not yet reached a final disposition in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had thought frankly that we were adopting a provision that already existed for your electric bill.
• It turns out that this was a new provision that does not exist on the electric side for submetering,
• thought strike that provision so we can keep this on the message of this is consistent with how electric

Keywords: House streaming session for Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 132 members present, offered prayer, approved the previous day’s journal, and adopted a House resolution honoring United Communities Against Poverty for 60 years of service in Prince George’s County fighting poverty. The organization’s board members were recognized in the gallery. The chamber then handled introductory business, including first-reading referral of House Bills 1587-1596, two introductory House bond initiatives referred to Appropriations, and Senate Bill 25 and other Senate bills received in the House and referred to committees. The House also took up committee reports and special orders. The Economic Matters Committee reported favorably on several bills, including House Bills 236, 241, 242, 259, and 308, all of which were adopted and ordered printed for third reading. On House Bill 146 regarding on-site wastewater systems, a friendly amendment was adopted to allow repair or replacement of failed drain field components needed to meet the bill’s requirements. On House Bill 220 concerning individual water meters/submetering, a substitute amendment was adopted to strike a provision related to eviction proceedings and keep the bill aligned with existing law; the bill was then ordered printed for third reading. Members also made several announcements recognizing visiting groups and observances, including the ALS Association, Career and Technology Education Month, Economic Development Day, Developmental Disabilities Day, Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day, the start of Ramadan, and Easter season. The House heard a Black History Month-style recognition of Ethel Beh Hill and welcomed multiple delegations and student groups. Committee and subcommittee meeting announcements followed, and with 134 members present, the House remained in session before the majority leader moved adjournment until Thursday, February 19 at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• state's roadways, water<00:14:17.760><c> systems,</c><00:14:18.320><c> and</c><00:14:18.639><c> electrical
• </c><00:14:19.120><c> grids</c> water systems, and electrical grids water systems, and electrical grids

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• underground easement at Magazine Beach in Cambridge to ensure safe, reliable upgrades to essential electric
• Energy Project is a critical infrastructure initiative designed to meet the region's rapidly growing electrical
• Growing electrical energy needs, Cambridge and the entire Commonwealth continue to see significant load

Bills: H3599 , H5047 , S2922

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight

Keywords: Native American, easements, land access, property rights, public utility, vehicular access, eminent domain, health care access, land acquisition, Norwood hospital, public health, electric infrastructure, NSTAR, Eversource Energy, land conservation, Massachusetts legislation, 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Plug-in solar is essentially deregulation of a part of residential or small business electric bills.
• Representative Wheeler, who, as most of you know, is an electrical contractor, heard about this product
• Yes, today we do have regulations that require that all electricity that you use in your house is supposed

Committee: House State Affairs

Summary: The committee first heard RS 33206, a proposal by Representative Gannon to allow “plug-in solar” or portable solar generators for homes and small businesses. He described it as a limited, UL-approved option capped at 1,200 watts, modeled on Utah legislation, and argued it could give consumers more flexibility and reduce utility controversy. Members questioned whether the devices are currently prohibited under utility rules and whether the bill was needed; Gannon said existing regulations likely require utility permission. The committee voted to introduce RS 33206. The committee then heard RS 3321 C1 from Representative Raibald, which would address county clerk concerns about liability and indemnification for private properties used as polling places. He said the measure would extend liability protections to polling-place properties and allow clerks to request coverage through the Secretary of State’s self-insured policy so long-used voting locations could remain available. The committee voted to introduce the RS. The bulk of the meeting focused on House Bill 561, a bill restricting flags displayed by government entities. Representative Hill said the bill was a response to Boise’s flag policy and was intended to keep government spaces neutral, with exceptions for certain official flags; he acknowledged some “collateral damage” to community banners and other displays. Supporters argued the bill was needed to prevent government endorsement of divisive symbols and to preserve a neutral public sphere. Opponents, including Boise Mayor Lauren McLean, city counsel Eric Stidham, clergy, LGBTQ advocates, Basque community members, and others, said the bill was an overreach that targeted Boise’s pride flag, limited local control, and would chill expression and harm community inclusion. Testimony also raised concerns about the bill’s penalties and possible unintended effects on other flags and community events. After testimony, the committee debated motions to advance the bill, hold it, or send it to general orders; the transcript ends amid that discussion without a final recorded disposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• In construction, specifically in the area of electrical, um, healthcare, we do home health aid and EMT
• So if I clicked on electricity, I want to be an electrician, it starts to create a journey for me with
• They can click on an electrician and it will tell them what level of math and electricity. should have

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:11.679><c> uh</c><00:21:12.559><c> class</c><00:21:12.880><c> 4</c><00:21:13.120><c> electrical
• </c> to uh park the uh class 4 electrical to uh park the uh class 4 electrical circuits<00:21:14.039>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of Engineering focused on science. software and networking engineering, as well as mechanical, electrical
• four-year degree programs as the state of Texas. focuses on building our water infrastructure, electrical
• those jobs that aren't really university bound. that we're providing those certificates, journeyman, electric

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Florida Municipal Natural Gas Association, waiving in support; Nicole Albers, Florida Municipal Electric
• Victoria Price, Florida Public Utilities Company, waiving in support, and Drew Love, Florida Electric
• support, Victoria Price, Florida Public Utilities Company, waiving in support, and Drew Love, Florida Electric

Summary: The committee heard and voted on a long agenda of criminal justice, public safety, and civil justice bills. Among the measures reported favorably were SB 984, which adds aggravating factors for capital sentencing when a murder occurs during religious, school, or public government gatherings; SB 1140, creating a Hillsborough County pilot program to address substance abuse among offenders on probation; SB 1180, expanding child pornography laws to cover lewd altered or filtered images and solicitation; SB 10, providing compensation to Sidney Holmes for a wrongful conviction; SB 500, creating a Spectrum Alert system and training for missing children with autism; SB 1054, increasing penalties for tampering with electronic monitoring devices; SB 1072, establishing an expedited DNA testing grant program; and SB 240, the Haven Act, which aligns domestic and dating violence protections and creates a feasibility study for a discreet emergency contact system for victims. Several bills were amended before passage, including funding for the Spectrum Alert program and technical changes to the DNA, juvenile justice, and other proposals. Members also advanced SB 494, creating a statewide FDLE animal abuse database and increasing sentencing consequences for aggravated animal cruelty, with strong support from animal welfare groups and county officials. SB 1422 was reported favorably to strengthen penalties for unmanned aircraft over critical infrastructure and for weaponized drones, though members raised concerns about the bill’s “reasonable force” language. SB 1268 updated FDLE statutes and increased reimbursement for retired police dogs. SB 1252 was amended into a feasibility study for a statewide pawn data database, and SB 1386 increased penalties for assaults and batteries on utility workers, drawing support from utility and industry groups. The committee also approved SB 1084 on sexual cyber harassment, which criminalizes dissemination of intimate images and digitally forged intimate images, and SB 1654, which revises sexual offender and predator registration rules, including online reporting for certain in-state travel residences. SB 1650 expanded the vexatious litigant law, and SB 1652 created a public records exemption for stricken non-criminal court filings. Finally, SB 1284, expanding Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow civil claims for the death of an unborn child, drew extensive testimony both for and against; supporters called it a life-affirming measure, while opponents warned it could increase litigation, affect abortion-related care, and discourage physicians from practicing in Florida. The bill was heard with multiple public comments, but the transcript excerpt does not show a final vote on SB 1284.

Transcript Highlights:

• They ripped out all of the existing wiring and the electrical components that were in the wells. ...ripped
• out all of the existing wiring and the electrical components that were in the wells, creating well over
• incarceration, I was able to work in maintenance and earn occupational training in both HVACR and electrical

Bills: SB476 , SB664 , SB745 , SB826 , SB989 , SB1080 , SB1171 , SB1320 , SB1437 , SB1727 , SB1809 , SB2289 , SB2320

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: education, funding, school infrastructure, public schools, teacher support, intoxication manslaughter, criminal penalties, ignition interlock devices, youth offenders, vehicular homicide, Texas courts, judicial officers, associate judge, magistrate, master, referee, hearing officer, court administration, Government Code Chapter 54, Government Code Chapter 54A

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several criminal justice bills, with most of the discussion focused on oilfield theft, DWI enforcement, juvenile justice, reentry licensing, jail transparency, and court/judicial standards. SB 1320 would create a DPS oilfield theft unit headquartered in the Permian Basin; supporters from industry, law enforcement, and a district attorney described increasingly sophisticated, organized theft tied to cartels and multi-jurisdictional criminal networks, while DPS said it currently has only two officers working the issue. The committee voted SB 1320 out unanimously and placed it on the local and uncontested calendar. SB 826, which would enhance DWI committed in a school zone to a state jail felony, also passed unanimously after brief explanation and no testimony. SB 1171, adding juvenile justice OIG peace officers to Schedule C salary, was reported favorably on a committee substitute, and SB 1080, which would allow incarcerated people to obtain occupational licenses effective upon release, also passed on a committee substitute after testimony from formerly incarcerated advocates and reentry supporters. The committee also considered several bills aimed at tougher DWI penalties. SB 476 would increase intoxication manslaughter penalties when the offender violates an ignition interlock restriction; the bill was supported by the author, victims’ family members, Galveston officials, and law enforcement, but opposed by the Texas Civil Rights Project, which argued treatment and prevention would be more effective. After discussion about possible amendments, the bill was left pending. SB 745 would create a new first-degree felony option for intoxication manslaughter involving multiple deaths, and it was reported favorably after testimony from a prosecutor supporting the need for a stronger sentencing option. SB 2320 would broadly increase penalties for DWI offenses, including first-time DWI, DWI with an open container, high-BAC DWI, and repeat offenses; it was supported by a grieving family member and a sheriff, and the committee voted it out favorably. On juvenile justice, SB 1727 would expand tools to address assaults on staff at Texas Juvenile Justice Department facilities by lowering the age for transfer to adult prison in some cases, allowing earlier transfer of determinate-sentence youth, and restricting release when a criminal case is pending. Juvenile probation officials supported the bill as a public safety and victim-rights measure, while the Texas Civil Rights Project opposed it, arguing it would send children to inappropriate adult facilities and conflict with juvenile justice principles; the bill was left pending. SB 1437 would expand the juvenile justice do-not-hire registry to include non-certified positions, and it passed unanimously after supporters said it would help close loopholes that allow predators to move between child-serving jobs. SB 2289, requiring counties that house inmates out of state to report that information and any deaths to the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, also passed unanimously. Finally, SB 989, requiring criminal background checks for court personnel who determine bail, and SB 664, establishing statewide qualifications and oversight for magistrates and associate judges, were explained and discussed as transparency and public-safety measures, with SB 989 reported favorably and SB 664 under committee consideration at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we'll move on to the Columbia River Basin supply.
• So we'll move on to the Columbia River Basin supply, seeing that we have now our Eastern Washington reps
• You'll find this in our annual water supply update as well.
• The first is securing those surface water supplies.
• plan to improve streamflows and water supplies in the Walla Walla Basin.

Committee: Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we'll move on to the Columbia River Basin supply.
• So we'll move on to the Columbia River Basin supply, seeing that we have now our Eastern Washington reps
• You'll find this in our annual water supply update as well.
• The first is securing those surface water supplies.
• plan to improve streamflows and water supplies in the Walla Walla Basin.

Summary: The committee first received an update from Larry Madsen of the Office of Columbia River on eastern Washington water supply projects. He described the office’s mission to develop new water supplies for in-stream and out-of-stream uses, noting that funded projects have developed more than 800,000 acre-feet of water toward a 1 million acre-foot goal by 2030. He reviewed the four major program areas: the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program, the Walla Walla Water 2050 plan, the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan, and the Icicle Work Group. He highlighted major projects such as East Low Canal work, Springwood Ranch reservoir planning, Bateman Island causeway removal, and Icicle Creek improvements, and emphasized the importance of state, federal, tribal, and nonprofit partnerships and cost-sharing. Senators asked about accelerating the Springwood Ranch study, reservoir sizing and refill potential, and how conservation fits into the Yakima plan. The committee then heard from Betsy Peabody, Dr. Micah Horwith, and Bill Dewey on the Marine Resources Advisory Council and ocean acidification. They explained that Washington was an early bellwether for ocean acidification impacts, especially on shellfish hatcheries, where low aragonite saturation and changing pH caused major oyster larval mortality. They described the state’s monitoring network, hatchery buffering systems, research partnerships, and adaptation strategies such as kelp co-culture, selective breeding, and native oyster restoration. Testimony stressed that ocean acidification is affecting shellfish, Dungeness crab, razor clams, and even salmon, and that continued state investment, emissions reductions, and nutrient pollution control are needed. Senators asked about differences between native and farmed species, real-time monitoring, and the pH/aragonite thresholds that threaten shellfish production. Finally, Todd Myers and Pam Lewis of the Washington Policy Center presented concerns about agricultural viability, sustainability, and food security. Lewis said Washington farms are under severe financial pressure, citing negative farm take-home pay, high production and labor costs, and the need to rely more on voluntary programs, tax relief, and labor cost changes. She also argued that food insecurity is rising and that donations to food banks are harder when farms are financially strained. Myers followed with remarks on forest health and salmon recovery, arguing for more active forest management, expanded use of Good Neighbor Authority, and fewer permitting barriers. He also said salmon recovery funding should be locally prioritized and science-based, with regulatory barriers reduced so projects can move faster. The committee then voted to refer Senate Bill 6154, a culvert replacement permitting bill, to the Senate Local Government Committee without recommendation, and the motion passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a reminder, engrossed Senate Bill 5649 creates a state Supply Chain Competitiveness Infrastructure
• and evaluation criteria in addition to the priorities that they'll set with stakeholders for the Supply
• to ensure supply chain resilience for Washington consumers.
• became a conversation around Washington State manufacturing, and that became a conversation around supply
• chain resilience. ...or grown in Washington State, or to add to our supply chain resilience.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Substitute Senate Bill 6289, which would direct the Department of Commerce to develop a statewide economic development and competitiveness strategic plan by June 30, 2027, with updates every five years. Senator Kaufman said the bill is intended to create a more intentional, coordinated, data-driven statewide strategy to support businesses of all sizes and sectors. Supporters from the Washington Economic Development Association and the Department of Commerce said the plan is needed to align regional and local efforts, improve competitiveness, and address challenges such as capital access, infrastructure gaps, tariffs, and AI-related disruption. Both Commerce and WEDA supported moving the update cycle from two years to five years, and Commerce said the change would save money and help reduce the fiscal impact. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 6149, which would expand the definition of a rural county for public facilities funding and related programs to include counties with population density of 100 or more people per square mile if they have no city larger than 45,000 people. Senator Wilson said the bill is meant to preserve rural eligibility for counties like Cowlitz as cities grow, so they do not lose access to grants and loans that support economic development. Members raised questions about how the new definition would affect counties and whether it would better capture rural areas within larger counties, but no testimony opposed the bill. In executive session, the committee considered three bills. For Senate Bill 5420, concerning access to state benefits and opportunities for veterans, the committee adopted a striking amendment that broadened some eligibility language, including changing a reference from physical to medical discharge and updating employment preference provisions, then advanced the bill by a 12-0 vote with one excused. For Senate Bill 5649, creating a Supply Chain Competitiveness Infrastructure Program, members began debate on amendments that would add WSDOT scoring criteria favoring Washington-made or Washington-grown goods and limit grants and loans to projects not already eligible for Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board funding. The committee also reviewed several amendments to the AI companion chatbot bill, including narrowing educational and gaming exclusions, adding protections around age inference and manipulative engagement techniques, and limiting data collection; one amendment was withdrawn before further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sure that they have the supplies they need for successful learning.
• Us process supplies, stock the store, and assist teachers during shopping.
• School supplies in October of 2015.
• As of yesterday, we’ve given away $8.5 million worth of supplies.
• Supplies from us. 57% of our inventory is donated.

Committee: House A&B Finance Subcommittee

Summary: The committee heard an interim study on expanding or simplifying sales tax exemptions for Oklahoma nonprofits. Representatives Stark and Schreiber said the issue has been filed repeatedly over several sessions and framed it as a bipartisan effort to keep more charitable dollars in service of communities rather than paying sales tax. Schreiber also suggested broader tax reform or an omnibus approach rather than continuing to add individual exemptions. Marnie Taylor of the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits gave an overview of the sector, describing nonprofits as a major part of the state economy and safety net, and argued that many organizations are highly regulated, under-resourced, and facing declining donations and funding. She said the current patchwork of exemptions is uneven and that a blanket or broader exemption would help organizations serving public needs. Committee members asked for sources behind some of the poverty, education, and health rankings cited in her presentation. Several nonprofit leaders testified about how sales tax affects their operations. RG Foods described the cost of opening neighborhood grocery markets in food deserts and said sales tax on a Tulsa project would divert about $85,000 from programming. Jubilee Partners, Skyline Urban Outreach, the Pencil Box, the Tulsa Police Foundation, Blue Rose Ranch, and Legacy Parenting Center each explained how exemption status or the lack of it affects food assistance, school supplies, public safety equipment, animal rescue, and diapers and family support. Members asked follow-up questions about food desert definitions, budgets, and how much sales tax savings would change operations. No vote was taken in the excerpt, but the study concluded with closing remarks emphasizing that the exemption would keep more money in direct services and support the nonprofit sector statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reduction Act, and this provides incentives for producers and manufacturers so that they can build the supply
• They strengthen our domestic supply chains They create quality manufacturing jobs and position New Mexico
• of those low carbon materials are going to be coming from out of state because we don't have the supply
• The end user we want to facilitate both the building of the supply and drive the demand for it.
• Yes, but also part of the issue with requiring the use of these products is we don't have the supply,

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To do so, we must put more focus on all areas of the drug supply chain.
• One-month supply with excellent insurance costs him around $300.
• Wholesale distributors operate a unique role in the supply chain.
• What we believe the language says is the individual supply chain cannot add to that.
• The bill, but also be workable with the supply chain.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Health Care Financing

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a broad set of health care bills focused on cost, market oversight, pharmaceutical access, transparency, hospital closures, and pharmacy access. Chairs John Lawn and Cindy Friedman opened by emphasizing recent health care reforms and the need for further action on the drug supply chain, PBMs, private equity, and affordability. The committee heard testimony on several measures, including a Betsy Lehman Center bill to make technical changes and create a permanent trust account for federal and private funding, and bills on hospital profits and fairness, hospital closures and health planning, pharmacy deserts, and health care market oversight and pharmaceutical access. No votes were taken during the hearing. On the hospital profits bill, physicians and labor advocates strongly supported capping hospital CEO compensation at 50 times the lowest-paid worker, requiring greater financial transparency, and directing penalties from high-margin public hospitals into a Medicaid reimbursement fund. Testifiers argued that executive pay is excessive while frontline staff and safety-net services are under strain. Committee members raised concerns about unintended consequences, including whether hospitals might shift workers to contract status or lose executive talent, and whether the bill would actually direct money to the safety net. Supporters responded that the measure is one piece of a larger effort and that the bill’s Medicaid reimbursement provisions would help underserved hospitals. Testimony on market oversight and pharmaceutical access centered on rising health care and drug costs, PBM practices, and the proposal to give the Health Policy Commission authority to set upper payment limits for certain drugs. Consumer advocates, disability advocates, an independent pharmacist, the Attorney General’s office, and others supported stronger oversight, citing premium increases, affordability problems, and the impact of high drug prices on patients and community pharmacies. Pharma and some industry witnesses opposed parts of the bill, warning that upper payment limits could disrupt access, create legal issues, and fail to address the broader supply chain. The committee also heard support for stronger hospital closure notice and public hearing requirements, and for a pharmacy deserts bill aimed at identifying and addressing closures like the one in Roxbury that affected thousands of patients.

Transcript Highlights:

• not supplying us water.
• Water is in short supply throughout the state.
• So, we need more supply, Representative.
• We need more supply, Representative. I'm not debating that; that's not the question.
• We have a chance to really address supply, bring down the costs, and help everyday Texans.

Bills: HB602 , HB1322 , HB1930 , HB2225 , HB2304 , HB2494 , HB3275 , HB3810 , HB3919

Committee: House Land & Resource Management

Keywords: affordable housing, land use, zoning, urban planning, community development, housing crisis, mixed-use development, sustainability, municipal utility district, board of directors, qualifications, land ownership, Texas, taxation, residency, municipal approval, subdivision plans, local governance, plats, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• sponsored by Senator Doddlow: An act to amend the Public Service Law in relation to requiring gas and electric

Committee: Senate Energy And Telecommunications

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications met with Senator Kevin Parker presiding and several colleagues present. The committee considered four bills: S.1551, which would prohibit the release of consumption data; S.2258, which would require emergency notices to customers in certain languages; S.2416, which would release victims of domestic violence from certain contracts; and S.9835, which would require gas and electric corporations to give 30 days’ notice before service rate or charge increases. The sponsor and committee briefly introduced each measure, and no substantive debate or testimony was recorded in the transcript. Each bill was moved and seconded. S.1551 and S.2258 each had one recorded no vote, but both still had enough support to advance. S.2416 and S.9835 were also approved without recorded opposition. All four bills were reported to third reading, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• College to tour several of their workforce education programs, including welding, construction, electricity

Summary: The Careers and Workforce Subcommittee was called to order and a quorum was established. The chair explained that the meeting would be different from usual because members would take a site visit to Lively Technical College to tour workforce education programs, including welding, construction, electricity, HVAC, and plumbing, with a possible Q&A with instructors. The chair emphasized that the visit was intended to help members see examples of how technical colleges are meeting Florida’s workforce needs and to consider how similar programs in their own districts could be supported. Before departing, members were divided into two tour groups for the visit. Group A was led by the chair and included Chair Kennedy, Ranking Member Tant, Representatives Gant, Kendall, Kintkart Johnson, Maney, Mello, and Rosenwald. Group B was led by Vice Chair Plaken and included Representatives Baker, Bankson, Caruso, Cobb, Daley, Koster, Spencer, and Stark. The committee planned to adjourn at Lively Technical College at 11:00 a.m. and return afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:09:44.800><c> upgrades,</c><00:09:46.080><c> asphalting</c><00:09:46.640><c> the</c> RVs, electrical
• upgrades, asphalting the RVs, electrical upgrades, asphalting the road<00:09:47.040><c> that</c><00:
• ,</c> and all of those need electricity, and all of those need electricity, water,<01:33:59.440><c> sewer
• It's electrical, welding, all the different skill. The biggest schools are SMCI and Parchman.
• Electric bill is 100,000, so that increase right now, you can see, it's almost like 4%.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 210; 21 January, 2026: 1:30 PM, 925, all