Transcript Highlights:

• volunteering and the education space while living here, actually, Tallahassee, be it reading tutors, test prep
• secretary did pass were by work, focused on HBC, use other minority serving institutions and college prep

Transcript Highlights:

• this pathway, once they've got this infrastructure and it's working as a partnership with their ed prep
• individuals who may not have demonstrated subject matter competency and may not be enrolled in the teacher prep

Transcript Highlights:

• And then finally, residencies are what we consider sort of the gold standard for teacher prep.
• So that can be someone who's in a traditional four-year teacher prep program, does a residency in their

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• was in middle school through VEX Robotics, which we did at my middle school called Arizona College Prep

Committee: House House Science & Technology Committee of Reference

Summary: The Committee on Science and Technology met to hear a presentation from Ananya Lakaraju, a Hamilton High School junior, on her research into the biology of major depressive disorder. She described a project using saliva metabolomics and machine learning to identify potential biomarkers of depression from a UCSD dataset of 261 patient samples, explaining that the goal was to move beyond subjective screening toward more objective, biology-based diagnosis. She also discussed using multiple statistical methods and an ensemble AI model, along with SHAP and permutation importance, to identify top metabolites and related pathways, and said her work suggested some novel biomarkers and possible links to depression-related pathways. Lakaraju further explained a drug-discovery component of the project, in which she used pathway analysis and molecular docking software to identify a potential target protein and test candidate compounds, saying flupinazine showed the best binding energy in her simulations. She noted that the model achieved about 90% accuracy and a 97% AUC, and said she also built an app to collect mood and activity information to complement the biological data. Members asked questions about the metabolites, whether the findings were novel, how the saliva data were obtained, and how the app and future at-home testing might work. She said the biomarkers were computationally identified, the saliva data came from an online UCSD dataset rather than direct collection, and the app was intended to support more holistic diagnosis rather than replace clinicians. Committee members praised the presentation as impressive and timely, especially in light of the growing role of AI in medicine and the need for AI regulation. Lakaraju also spoke about her interest in coding and biology, her experience in robotics, and receiving the Governor’s Future Innovator of the Year Award. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Coco, a young lady here to my right, attends Gem Prep Charter School, where she's completely thriving

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• They prep because they do things the whole issue.

Transcript Highlights:

• we're going to have a new prompt, and I'm going to give you that so you have about 10 or 15 minutes to prep

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• In my district, there is a school that will give you a prep and it’ll say that you are this CNA individual

Committee: House Education & Employment Committee

Summary: The Education and Employment Committee met with a quorum and considered one bill, HB 121 by Representative Overdorf, relating to nursing education programs. The sponsor said Florida’s nursing shortage is projected to worsen and argued that low NCLEX passage rates show some programs are not adequately preparing students. The bill would tighten probation for underperforming programs, require program directors to be accountable, authorize Department of Health on-site inspections, require admission criteria and public posting of NCLEX passage rates, and require tuition reimbursement and free remediation for students at programs with passage rates below 30 percent. Members asked about how the bill would interact with the Board of Nursing, the Commission for Independent Education, and other agencies, and whether it would address fraudulent or low-quality schools. An opponent from the Florida Association of Independent Nursing Schools said current law already requires Board of Nursing and commission review, institutional accreditation, and provisional status for programs on probation, and argued the bill could reduce the supply of nurses. He also said Florida’s NCLEX results had recently improved. A representative of the Florida Nurses Association supported the bill, saying weak programs waste students’ time and money and do not produce licensed nurses. During debate, several members described concerns about diploma mills, fraudulent programs, student debt, and the need for stronger screening and accountability. Others emphasized that raising standards would improve patient safety and help ensure better-prepared nurses. The chair noted the importance of private nursing colleges in the state’s nursing pipeline. The committee then voted 19-0 to report HB 121 favorably and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So with that five-minute caucus, back at 2 o'clock, we are prepping for 1827. haven't covered yet. haven't
• 18.640><c> 2</c><03:58:18.880><c> o'clock</c> back at 2 o'clock back at 2 o'clock we<03:58:22.399><c> prepping
• </c> we prepping for 1827. we prepping for 1827.

Committee: House Education Funding

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have started offering FAA Part 107 remote pilot certification prep classes to prepare individuals
• FAA part 107 remote<01:04:03.920><c> pilot</c><01:04:04.319><c> certification</c><01:04:04.960><c> prep
• </c><01:04:05.200><c> classes</c> remote pilot certification prep classes remote pilot certification
• prep classes to<01:04:06.079><c> prepare</c><01:04:06.400><c> prepare</c><01:04:06.880><c> individuals

Summary: The task force meeting began with approval of the July 14 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Kentucky Aviation Association. Association leaders described general aviation airports as important to rural access, commerce, emergency response, tourism, agriculture, and workforce development, and cited statewide economic impacts they said exceed $1.6 billion and support more than 9,400 jobs. They thanked the legislature for prior airport funding and said it had helped airports with basic operations and repairs. The association asked lawmakers for four things: continued appropriations for general aviation airports; relief or a more workable process for required financial audits, which they said can cost $10,000 to $20,000 or more and sometimes exceed a small airport’s annual budget; a regularized statewide appropriations process for airport infrastructure needs, which they said total about $100 million and are currently addressed unevenly; and funding for the Aerospace Education Reinvestment Opportunity Act to support scholarships and aviation workforce training. Members of the task force asked follow-up questions about the audit burden, the difference between financial and safety audits, and the difficulty of finding audit firms. The presenters said they would bring specific ideas back on audit reform. Eastern Kentucky University then presented on its aviation program. EKU leaders thanked the committee for prior support, including a $25 million appropriation for a new flight school building at Central Kentucky Regional Airport, and said the project is expected to break ground in 2026. They reported strong enrollment growth, with 502 aviation majors, most of them Kentuckians, and said the program has expanded flight hours and job placement. EKU also outlined plans to add an air traffic control program in response to Senate Bill 87 and the national shortage of controllers, saying it could train students to FAA standards if the university receives the needed investment in simulators, equipment, space, and faculty. They also discussed the need to replace an aging fleet of training aircraft, saying the current planes are decades old and costly to maintain, and that newer aircraft would improve training quality and reduce student costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would be the site prep work that's done on the plant.
• would</c><00:42:32.319><c> be</c><00:42:32.480><c> the</c><00:42:32.720><c> site</c><00:42:33.040><c> prep
• </c><00:42:33.280><c> work</c><00:42:33.520><c> that's</c> It would be the site prep work that's It would
• be the site prep work that's done<00:42:34.079><c> on</c><00:42:34.560><c> the</c><00:42:34.880><c>

Summary: The committee received an informational presentation from the Kentucky Department of Education and the School Facilities Construction Commission on school facilities funding. Staff explained the main funding sources used for school construction and renovation, including the mandatory “nickel” property tax levy, growth and equalized growth nickels, the equalized facility funding nickel, the Fort Knox/BRAC-related nickel for Hardin County, and the recallable nickel that districts can adopt locally. They also described the state equalization formula, noting that local construction costs have risen and that state support is formula-driven rather than a dollar-for-dollar match. The SFCC outlined how unmet facility need is calculated through district facility plans, which are developed locally with community, staff, and board input and then reviewed by KDE staff for consistency and reasonableness. The commission said it will update the statewide unmet need report this fall, adopt it in December, and provide the figure to the committee in January 2026. It reported that the statewide unmet facility need was about $7 billion in 2023, with about $951 million in local revenue available, and said its offers of assistance are paid as debt service over eight years. The commission also said the most recent legislative offer of assistance was its smallest since SFCC’s creation in 1985, and requested an additional $60 million for the next biennium. Members asked about how districts use nickel tax levies, who determines facility need, whether the process includes physical inspections, and how bonding capacity affects offers of assistance. Staff said nickel levies are generally adopted with regular tax rates, that facility need is locally developed but reviewed by KDE, and that KDE project managers and district-hired architects review plans on paper rather than through in-person inspections. They also explained that bonding capacity can affect a district’s ability to use or receive assistance. Questions were also raised about federal funds tied to earlier KIX grants and about districts with zero remaining offers of assistance; staff said most grant-funded projects are underway or complete, and that a zero balance means a district has spent its available assistance. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• in classes such as GED and high school equivalency preparation, English language learning, college prep
• preparation English language learning preparation English language learning college<00:32:16.120><c> prep
• </c><00:32:16.399><c> and</c><00:32:16.519><c> Workforce</c><00:32:17.000><c> training</c> college prep
• and Workforce training college prep and Workforce training approximately<00:32:19.279><c> 65,000</c>

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• And then in July, that should prep you to make a right recommendation to the Pension Funding Council.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy

Summary: The committee first approved the November minutes by roll call vote, with a majority of members voting aye and some members excused. Staff then provided brief litigation updates: Fowler et al. v. Leathers remains pending in federal district court over interest calculations on transferred TERS funds, with summary judgment motions expected to be heard May 1; Dolan v. King County was decided against the state in Pierce County Superior Court on the issue of recouping attorney’s fees from a former PERS member, though no fees were assessed against the state in that case. An actuarial update noted upcoming presentations on the agency’s work and the latest valuation report, including new contribution rates reflecting updated demographic assumptions. The committee then reviewed its draft interim work plan and correspondence items, focusing on requests related to Plan 3, Plan 1 COLAs, teacher retirement age, and a missed early retirement factor. Members discussed a possible study of Plan 3’s design and outcomes compared with Plan 2, including retirement ages and benefit adequacy, and staff was asked to work with DRS on a study outline. The committee also discussed ongoing COLA requests and the need for retiree groups to bring forward a more formal proposal for the next budget cycle, with members noting that any recommendation should likely be made by October or November. Another major topic was the study of LEOFF 1 medical/disability boards, including how many boards exist, how they operate, and what costs they incur; staff said it was still gathering basic information and would provide an overview next month. Staff also explained planned changes to how correspondence will be handled and posted online due to cybersecurity concerns. The committee approved the May agenda by voice vote and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• was in middle school through VEX Robotics, which we did at my middle school called Arizona College Prep

Committees: House Science & Technology , House House Science & Technology Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• We saw what Baldwin County did with Baldwin Prep, and it works for Baldwin County.

Committee: Joint Mobile County Legislation

Transcript Highlights:

• SO THEY HAVE TO SACRIFICE THEIR OWN ELECTIVES FOR REMEDIAL CLASSES AND HAVE TO DO A LOT OF TEST PREP

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't like looking at the final trial prep and what we've really got until I've assessed what it is

Summary: The joint committee met with a quorum present and first received an overview of its jurisdiction and duties related to appointing the Florida Public Counsel. Staff explained the committee’s authority under joint rules and state law, noted that the current Public Counsel’s term expires February 28, 2025, and that applications for the next four-year term were open with a February 6, 2025 deadline. The committee then heard an extensive update from Public Counsel Walt Truerweiler on the Office of Public Counsel’s work representing utility ratepayers before the Public Service Commission and in appeals. Truerweiler described the office’s caseload and priorities, including electric, gas, water, and wastewater rate cases; storm recovery dockets; cost-recovery clauses; rulemakings; and customer service hearings. He emphasized that the office seeks to challenge unsupported or imprudent costs, find value for customers, and use expert analysis and customer testimony to shape outcomes. He highlighted recent and ongoing matters, including major Duke, TECO, Sunshine water/wastewater, and hurricane recovery proceedings, and said the office had fully litigated four of its last five rate cases, while also achieving a major settlement in Duke that reduced a requested increase and imposed cost controls on solar projects. Members praised the office’s work and asked about the benefits of settlements, staffing and compensation, and how the office decides when to fully intervene versus provide guidance or monitor a case. Truerweiler said settlements can create predictability, reduce uncertainty and expense, and produce tangible value for both customers and utilities. He also acknowledged recruitment challenges, including lower pay than comparable agencies and difficulty attracting attorneys who do not want in-person litigation work. The committee took no substantive action beyond receiving the presentations, and adjourned after a motion was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think you have a golden opportunity at this time to be doing the prep work and preparing the environment
• But how would you know to do all that prep?
• But how would you know to do all that prep if somebody didn't give you something in writing saying, hey
• So a surgeon needs for their patient to be prepped for surgery.
• For their patient to be prepped for surgery. And one of the things the patient needs is anesthesia.

Bills: HB5141 , HB4638 , HB2264 , HB2035 , HB4813 , HB4408 , HB2684 , HB1621 , HB2300 , HB216 , HB3829 , HB4466 , HB1747 , HB2284 , HB3614 , HB2587 , HB3219 , HB3318 , HB5147 , HB4014 , HB216

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: lease, state property, public purpose, Travis County, Health and Human Services, pharmaceutical initiative, drug distribution, healthcare services, generic drugs, advanced pharmaceuticals, cost savings, mental health, patient discharge, medical records, health care professionals, substance use, family involvement, chemical dependency, treatment facilities, minor admissions

Summary: The Committee on Public Health met with a quorum and heard public testimony on a long agenda, with members repeatedly reminded of a two-minute limit for witnesses. Several bills were voted out favorably, including HB 2588 on cottage food, HB 1639 on cancer incidence and female firefighters, HB 2581 on a reporting form for contracted services for pregnant women, and SB 922 on electronic disclosure of certain sensitive medical information. Those measures generally passed on party-line or near-unanimous votes, while HB 216 on itemized medical statements was left pending after the committee substitute was withdrawn. The committee also left pending HB 5141, HB 4638, HB 2035, HB 4813, HB 2264, HB 4014, and HB 3829 after hearing testimony and questions. The final item introduced in the excerpt was HB 4408 on health care market transparency and corporate consolidation, but the discussion was cut off before testimony or action was completed. A major theme of the hearing was mental health diversion and access to treatment. HB 5141, by Rep. Howard, would allow Travis County to use vacated Austin State Hospital property for a local mental health jail diversion center; law enforcement, the Travis County sheriff, county judge, and urban counties group all testified in support, describing the lack of alternatives for people in crisis and the burden on jails and emergency rooms. Members asked about eligible offenses, bed capacity, and whether the facility would serve only Travis County, and the bill was left pending. HB 2264, by Rep. Schoolcraft, would create a friends-and-family form for loved ones to provide information to providers during emergency mental health treatment; NAMI and hospital groups supported it, while one neutral witness and several members raised concerns about patient control, credibility of information, and liability protections. The bill was also left pending. The committee also heard multiple psychedelic-therapy and drug-policy bills. HB 4813 would speed Texas rescheduling of Schedule I substances if the FDA reclassifies them, with testimony focused on psilocybin and MDMA and their potential use for PTSD and depression; members questioned whether the bill was too broad and how state rescheduling works, and it was left pending. HB 4014 would direct HHSC to study psychedelic therapies, building on prior state research, and witnesses said Texas should prepare regulatory and clinical infrastructure before FDA approval; it too was left pending. HB 2035 would require parents to be informed that they may seek substance-use treatment for a child even if one facility turns them away, prompted by a constituent’s account of a fatal fentanyl overdose after receiving incorrect advice; it was left pending. HB 4638 would extend and expand the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative board and timeline, with the author saying the program is still in early implementation and needs more time, and it was left pending as well. Other bills addressed public health administration and animal welfare. HB 3829 would require a study of the animal-friendly account and its grant process for spay/neuter funding, with the author arguing that the current application and reimbursement process is too burdensome for shelters and nonprofits; no opposition was heard and the bill was left pending. HB 2581 and HB 1639 were reported favorably, while HB 216 drew discussion about enforcement of itemized medical billing and was held after the committee substitute was withdrawn. Throughout the hearing, members also discussed broader concerns about homelessness, competency restoration waitlists, jail overcrowding, and the need for more treatment options outside the criminal justice system.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, wouldn't it have been nice to, I think, have a long runway and prep people?
• Now, wouldn't it have been nice to, I think, have a long runway and prep people?
• Now, wouldn't it have been nice to, I think, have a long runway and prep people?
• Now, wouldn't it have been nice to, I think, have a long runway and prep people?
• Now, wouldn't it have been nice to, I think, have a long runway and prep people?

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So the schools without the prep kitchens, what percentage of the schools don't have prep kitchens?
• very important for me to get the answer to the question of the 199 schools, how many of them have prep