Transcript Highlights:

• This is funded out of primarily federal funds, and it's Child Care Development Block Grant that we get
• This is funded out of primarily federally funded, and it's Child Care Development Block Grant that we
• All your trust funds are kind of grouped into one, and in a brief description of the issue.
• In the last couple of slides here, I said it could be grouped into five major categories.
• And small groups like my group, or even the other MDCs or the AC centers, we just don't have the staff

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:

• But the prospect of one's neighbor down the block, building one or two or three units, is not one of
• So a lot of my neighbors have rebuilt, about half of them on my block, and that's very exciting.
• Chris Manassarian, on behalf of Kensington Group and the Stone West Holmes, I'd like to respectfully
• For many of them, who are in fear of the fact that you're going to get a group coming in and buying up
• Options like captives, risk retention groups, and joint powers authorities allow housing providers to

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• designed to prevent manufacturers from directing most of their sales to a single dealer or dealer group
• and this bill is that it sets a 1,000-vehicle sales threshold and limits any one dealer or dealer group
• to no more than one-third of the total statewide sales, focusing... ...any one dealer or dealer group
• Current statute 365.176, the Florida Call Blocking Act, allows providers to block calls from certain

Summary: The Commerce Committee on Tourism met and first took up Senate Bill 1562 by Senator Trumbull, which was amended with a strike-all amendment. The substitute bill would apply only to new vehicle brands, set a 1,000-vehicle sales threshold, and limit any one dealer or dealer group to no more than one-third of statewide sales to promote competition and dealer diversity. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported the committee substitute favorably by roll call vote, with Senator Smith later recording a negative vote and Senator Yarbrough requesting an affirmative vote on the tab. The committee then considered Senate Bill 888 by Senator Martin, which limits professional services contracts for architects, engineers, surveyors, and landscape architects so they can be held liable only for their own negligence or that of those under their supervision. The bill extends existing protections from public contracts to private contracts, voids broader indemnity clauses, requires a professional standard of care, and bars additional-insured requirements. After no questions or debate, the committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 1516 by Senator Garcia on misleading or inaccurate caller identification. The sponsor cited the volume of robocalls and scam losses, especially affecting older adults, and said the bill would create new statutory provisions requiring telecommunications companies to address spoofed caller ID and implement STIR/SHAKEN authentication or a comparable alternative. Testimony in support came from the Elder Law Section of the Florida Bar and AARP, and the bill was reported favorably by roll call vote. The chair then noted the committee would not reconvene later that evening and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Block, Senator Boone.
• OK, any other announcements, Senator Block?
• Thank you, Senator Block. Other announcements? Seeing none. Senator Wirth.
• Senator, I believe Senator Block did wish to make an announcement. Apologies. Senator Block.
• So, Senator Block, thank you for doing that. Uh, with that, Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• A mistake at 15 should not block opportunity at 25.
• :26.160> referrals blocks employment collection referrals blocks employment collection referrals
• A mistake at 15 should not block A mistake at 15 should not block opportunity<00:56:56.000> at
• Msovich, Premier Medical Group in um Dr.
• , president of Premier Medical Group, president of Premier Medical Group, Calholi<01:05:14.720>

Bills: SB3263, SB3261

Keywords: student-athletes, name image likeness, NIL, compensation, transparency, University of Hawaii, Title IX, funding, protections, athlete agents, student athletes, endorsement contracts, professional representation, registration requirements, sports law, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate Committee on Education and Committee on Health and Human Services heard testimony on several bills related to student health and safety, University of Hawaii programs, and workforce development. For SB 2969, which would appropriate funds for the University of Hawaii to expand and sustain the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study and Maui Health Registry, testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Witnesses described the ongoing physical and mental health impacts of the August 2023 Maui fires, said the study has identified serious untreated conditions and connected participants to care, and emphasized its role in serving survivors and training students. The committee also heard support from the Department of Health, the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Lung Association, Maui residents, and study staff. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee then heard SB 2657, which would establish an Alzheimer disease and related dementia research center at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine. University of Hawaii and Alzheimer’s Association representatives supported the bill, saying a local center would improve coordination of existing research, build state capacity, and help Hawaii compete for future NIH designation and federal funding. A family member affected by Alzheimer’s also testified in support, citing the disease’s impact in Hawaii. In response to questions, the university said the proposal would follow a five-year phased plan, with the first year funding used to recruit a senior neuroscientist and staff person, at an estimated cost of about $375,000, and that the effort would still strengthen Hawaii’s research infrastructure even if federal funding is not secured. For SB 2612, which clarifies immunity for Department of Education employees and agents who assist students with medication administration under certain conditions, the Department of Education said the bill is intended to protect volunteers and help ensure students can participate in school activities even when staffing is limited. The committee discussed how volunteers would be selected and whether every school would have someone available, and DOE said schools currently rely on health attendants, nurses, and trained volunteers. The committee also briefly discussed liability language and gross negligence exceptions. The hearing then moved to SB 2412, which would fund a bachelor’s degree program in sign language and sign language interpretation at UH Mānoa with a future master’s pathway. Testimony from interpreters, educators, and university officials emphasized the shortage of interpreters, the need to retain local talent, and the program’s role in building a pipeline; university representatives said the initial request would fund a faculty/staff position as a first step, with additional funding needed later. No final committee action or votes were announced in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• I figured this would be somewhat of a more intimate group, so I thought we could, I gave you a little
• And what's different about an apprenticeship, there's a few sort of building blocks that are...
• And so those are the sort of building blocks of what an apprenticeship is.
• One of the models that's been useful is group employment.
• So there are some situations that really lend to a group employment situation.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The subcommittee opened with roll call and approved the January minutes. Members then heard from Undersecretary of Labor and Workforce Development Josh Cutler, who gave an update on the Healey-Driscoll administration’s apprenticeship efforts and emphasized apprenticeship as an earn-while-you-learn model that can help address workforce shortages while including people with disabilities. He described growth in apprenticeships across sectors such as banking, bio, early education, health care, and human services, and noted recent milestones including the state’s 10,000th registered apprenticeship, expanded tax credits, reduced program fees, added apprenticeship liaisons, and Grow grants to support program development. Committee members focused on how apprenticeship could be adapted for human services and disability-related jobs, including early education, direct care, PCA work, sterile processing, and related health occupations. They asked about funding structures, employer participation, community college involvement, and how to make programs accessible to people with disabilities. Cutler explained that apprenticeship programs are employer-designed but must meet core requirements such as paid employment, at least 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning, related technical instruction, mentorship, and progressive wages. He said the state can support programs through the registered apprenticeship tax credit, which he said is $4,800 per apprentice and can be stacked with the disability employment tax credit, and through Grow grants, which were most recently awarded at about $2.1 million statewide. Members and Cutler discussed using intermediaries such as trade associations, nonprofits, and disability organizations to help employers set up programs and navigate incentives. He said the commission could be useful as a convener and suggested a targeted panel or information session with apprenticeship liaisons, employers, and existing sponsors to identify a few specific occupations and build a proof of concept. The meeting ended with agreement to follow up offline on potential partner employers, including Eastern Bank, and on possible next steps for a focused panel or pilot opportunities.

Transcript Highlights:

• questions uh folks could do not block questions uh folks could do not block the<00:52:27.160>
• taking my question uh what age groups taking my question uh what age groups are<01:44:29.520>
• <02:00:25.800> the yeah again s could do you not block the yeah again s could do you not block
• of the group to another group.
• Children of the group to transferring Children of the group to another<03:01:58.920> group<03

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , the mental health block grant, ARPA grant, um, the another block grant, ARPA grant, um, the another
• , the mental health block grant, ARPA grant, um, the another block grant, ARPA grant, um, the another
• , the mental health block grant, ARPA grant, um, the another block grant, ARPA grant, um, the another
• , the mental health block grant, ARPA grant, um, the another block grant, ARPA grant, um, the another
• , the mental health block grant, ARPA grant, um, the another block grant, ARPA grant, um, the another

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, young lady, for recognizing this group of dynamic leaders here in the House.
• said it like four times, but you know, you got to make sure you're dressed to the tee, Representative Block
• House Bill 170, introduced by Representatives Block (member_14069), Lord (member_13875), and Duncan (
• member_14063), as well as Senators Lanier (member_22669) and Block (member_14069), an act relating to
• House Joint Resolution 6, introduced by Representatives Stefani Lord (member_13875), John Block (member

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Block? Thank you, Madam Chair.
• I'm Jay Block, a brand new rookie freshman, looking to learn a lot here.
• I just wanted to talk about Senator Block; he's used to military time and doesn't understand legislative
• We follow the same rules, but we veer off just a little when there's not an organized group of people

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:07:42.560> that commission actually or the group that commission actually or the group
• <00:20:37.360> and can do a lot with groups and can do a lot with groups and associations<
• One might interpret that to say that the statutes pertain specifically to the block grant, state aid
• Um, I would like to move—I think I'm going to do this as a block here.
• I think I'm going to do this as a block I think I'm going to do this as a block here.<00:42:24.240

Bills: HB0111, HB0112, HB0122

Keywords: capital construction, state funding, Wyoming, major maintenance, community colleges, task force, legislative services, budget appropriation, unexpended funds, sunset clause, healthcare, rural health, transformation program, funding, incentives, training, access, perpetuity fund, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But this has the boundaries of the same as what Con Edison or National Group had asked for now.
• But this has the boundaries of the same as what Con Edison or National Group would ask for now to provide
• Because we're going to do like the old days, we're going to have to get ice blocks and get a fan.
• We're going to have to get ice blocks and get a fan for our admission. I'm still doing that now.
• We're going to have to get ice block and get a fan for our admission. I'm still doing that now.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee met under Chair Kevin Parker and considered a series of energy, utility, and clean transportation bills. The committee first advanced a bill by Senator Connery on make-ready electric infrastructure for public-serving EV charging, after members raised concerns that the costs of preparing school bus charging infrastructure could be shifted to ratepayers. The committee then advanced Senator Parker’s pilot program for resilient EV charging microgrids, with discussion focused on using existing NYSERDA resources, the role of batteries, and the bill’s purpose in supporting emergency charging during outages. Another bill on heavy distribution centers and EV charging was also advanced after debate over its application to large warehouse and e-commerce facilities. The committee also considered a bill on carport-mounted solar systems that would limit local zoning restrictions. A motion to substitute in a different bill was ruled improper for lack of notice, and the chair’s ruling was upheld on appeal. Members then advanced a PSC guidebook bill on gas and electric rate-making, and a utility shutoff protection bill for medical emergencies, life support equipment, and elderly, blind, or disabled customers, with questions about age definitions and the scope of medical documentation. The committee also advanced the Home Utility Weatherization Jobs Act, which would create a pilot program for electrification and weatherization in disadvantaged communities, with members discussing whether the program would be available at no cost to building owners and how utilities would access capital. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly raised concerns about who would pay for the programs, whether ratepayers or taxpayers would bear the costs, and how much local control would remain under the solar siting bill. At the end of the meeting, members briefly discussed a recent NYISO report warning about possible summer reliability issues and urged the committee and the PSC to review it closely. The chair noted the report should be considered alongside other state planning documents, and the meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This office will provide $1 million block This office will provide $1 million block grants to counties
• This office will provide $1 million block grants to counties that are growth impeded.
• Up next, we have Denise Grimsley with the Development Group. Ms. Grimsley, you're recognized.
• The Development Group is a private entity, and Hardee County outsources economic development, making

Summary: The Commerce Committee met with a quorum and heard three bills. First, CS/HB 515 on the Uniform Commercial Code was presented as a Florida Bar-backed update creating a new chapter to address digital assets and ledger technologies, including rules for perfection of security interests and lien priorities involving items such as Bitcoin. The bill drew support from the Florida Bar’s business law section and the Florida Bankers Association, had no amendments or opposition, and was reported favorably after a unanimous roll call. The committee then heard HB 1427 on rural communities, a broad package creating an Office of Rural Prosperity, a rural resource directory, a Renaissance grant program, a rural arterial road monetization program, housing and school support measures, and new health care grant programs for telehealth, staffing, training, and mobile units. Sponsors and many local officials, economic development groups, chambers, utilities, and other organizations testified in strong support, emphasizing infrastructure, workforce, housing, and health care needs in rural Florida. Members from both parties praised the bill’s focus on rural counties, and it was reported favorably. Finally, HB 299 on elevator accessibility requirements would allow an additional shorter interior support well in elevators while keeping the existing 42-inch support well requirement, with the goal of improving accessibility and flexibility for building owners. The National Elevator Industry supported the measure, there was no opposition or amendment, and the bill passed unanimously. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So think of my project as building blocks. I'm stacking them up one by one.
• I'm stacking them up one building blocks I'm stacking them up one by<00:43:22.839> one<00:43:
• It's across age groups.
• It's across age groups.
• <01:23:44.920> but demographics it's across age groups but demographics it's across age groups

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Section four of Act 73 created the school district voting ward working group, which um is alive and well
• :02:33.120> working school district voting ward working school district voting ward working group
• <00:02:33.840> which<00:02:34.400> um group which um group which um uh<00:02:36.239>
• In place of census block grants in the existing model for dealing with special education, you now have
• Repeal of that census block grant for special education.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The meeting was a high-level walkthrough of Act 73, with staff from Legislative Council and the Joint Fiscal Office summarizing major education policy, governance, tax, and fiscal changes. The presentation covered class-size minimums and related enforcement, creation of a state aid for school construction program, narrowed tuition eligibility for approved independent schools, changes to State Board of Education appointments, special education reporting and staffing, and a new report on standards for schools deemed small or sparse by necessity. It also noted that some provisions take effect immediately or in 2025, while the major funding and tax changes are contingent on new school districts being operational and a foundation formula report being received, with most of those changes targeted for July 1, 2028. The central fiscal change described was a move from the current locally voted budget and varying homestead tax system to a foundation formula. Under that model, districts would receive an educational opportunity payment based on a base amount per pupil, adjusted by student weights for factors such as pre-K, economic disadvantage, English learner status, and special education, with small-school and sparsity weights replaced by support grants. Districts could still seek limited supplemental district spending above the foundation amount, subject to a cap and a uniform method for raising the funds, with excess collections recaptured at the state level. The presenters also described transition mechanisms to phase in the new system over several years. The tax section explained that Act 73 would replace the current property tax credit with a homestead exemption and create a new non-homestead residential classification intended for second homes and short-term rentals, though further statutory or regulatory work would still be needed to implement it. The JFO presentation emphasized that the act also creates regional assessment districts for reappraisals and includes a transition to smooth changes in education tax rates. No committee vote or formal action was taken during the presentation; it was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• So kind of our more vulnerable groups are living in novice at a higher percentage.
• And you can see it's broken down to different age groups. Here is a head count of students.
• And you can see it's broken down to different age groups.
• service, a small-group effort, and less individualized.
• And so at that point, the block grant kind of ended.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:13:02.160> constituents school system were blocking constituents school system were blocking
• , the first amendment due to the blocking, the first amendment due to the blocking, but<00:13:31.680
• for their lobbying at through a group. for their lobbying at through a group.
• <00:52:33.359> Uh seeing lines going around the block.
• Uh seeing lines going around the block.

Keywords: Discussion of BR 25 (2026 RS) 04:15 Presentation on voting systems by ES&S 48:14 Presentation on voting systems by Hart InterCivic and Harp Enterprises 01:13:07, 958, all

Summary: The committee met to approve the October 21 minutes and then took up BR 25 for the 2026 regular session, a proposal relating to prohibited uses of tax dollars and public resources. The sponsors said the bill is intended to strengthen existing law by adding civil and criminal penalties for taxpayer-funded advocacy on ballot questions, especially in light of controversies during the 2024 election over school officials and districts using public resources to oppose a constitutional amendment. They also described related concerns about school districts hiring third-party lobbyists and public relations firms, particularly in Fayette County, and said the proposal was meant to keep tax dollars focused on public services rather than political persuasion. Committee members raised several concerns about scope and drafting. Some asked whether the bill should specifically mention schools, school boards, and school employees, and the sponsors said they would add that language. Others questioned whether the measure would also affect local government lobbying through groups like KLC and KCO, and the sponsors said they intended to focus narrowly on schools while exempting certain advocacy organizations and internal government lobbyists. Members also asked whether public employees could still speak as private individuals, and the sponsors said yes. Several members suggested splitting the lobbying and ballot-advocacy issues into separate bills, and the sponsors said they would consider that. Members also pressed for clarification on how the bill would apply in practice, including whether it would cover legal challenges to petition drives or only advocacy after a question is on the ballot. Counsel for the sponsors said the bill would not cover some petition-related litigation as drafted, though they believed it should. The sponsors and supporters argued the proposal was needed to give the existing prohibition real enforcement, while some members warned that the language could unintentionally limit legitimate public representation or be too broad if not carefully drafted. No final vote was taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hawaiians experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidality compared to other ethnic groups
• Our security threat group staff, who specialize in gangs at every facility, will look at them, we'll
• <00:36:41.000> staff<00:36:41.440> who our our security threat group staff who our
• Employers currently in this group contribute 8%; they'd have to contribute 14% going forward.
• Employers currently in this group contribute 8%; they'd have to contribute 14% going forward.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard SB 104, which would restrict the use of restrictive housing or solitary confinement in state-operated and state-contracted correctional facilities, with specified exceptions. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation strongly opposed the bill, saying its existing policy already meets or exceeds ACA and National Institute of Corrections standards, and objecting to language they said would give the oversight commission operational decision-making authority. The Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission supported the bill, but also said it was not intended to run operations and described concerns about restrictive housing practices, including CoreCivic’s SHIP program at Saguaro. Supporters included the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Office of the Public Defender, the Disability Rights Center, ACLU Hawaii, Easter Seals Hawaii, and individual testifiers. They argued that Native Hawaiians are disproportionately impacted by incarceration, that solitary confinement is harmful and linked to depression, anxiety, suicidality, and poor reentry outcomes, and that confinement beyond 15 days is widely condemned under international standards. Several testifiers cited suicides and deaths in custody as reasons to codify limits in statute rather than rely on policy alone. The department responded that it already has 24/7 medical care, though not 24/7 mental health coverage at one facility, and explained that it uses four custody categories: disciplinary segregation, administrative segregation, protective custody, and placements for inmates seeking separation for safety reasons. Members questioned the department and commission about the SHIP program, whether the bill was based on other states’ laws, and how current policies compare with national standards. The director said the bill was too ambiguous in places and that the department was willing to work with the commission on policy changes, but still opposed the measure as written. The committee took testimony and questions; no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• States will be permitted to provide coverage to these groups using their own funding.
• As it stands today, there is a preliminary injunction blocking the implementation of the defund.
• Today, there is a preliminary injunction blocking the implementation of the defund.
• I just leave with a thought for you and all the other advocate groups.
• and then contacted all of our patients on that block and had them come out.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on the impacts of H.R. 1 on California’s Medi-Cal program and on community health effects from recent immigration enforcement actions. Committee leaders said H.R. 1 would sharply reduce federal funding, increase administrative burdens, and worsen access to care, especially for Medi-Cal enrollees, immigrant families, rural communities, and reproductive health patients. The second half of the hearing examined how ICE raids and related federal actions are creating fear, reducing clinic and emergency department use, and disrupting children’s access to schools and early childhood education. Department of Health Care Services Director Michelle Bass outlined the main H.R. 1 provisions affecting Medi-Cal: work requirements, semiannual eligibility redeterminations, shorter retroactive coverage, new cost-sharing, limits on provider taxes and state-directed payments, reduced federal support for emergency and lawful immigrant coverage, and a one-year ban on Medicaid funding for prohibited abortion providers. She estimated millions could lose coverage, with tens of billions of dollars in federal funding at risk. Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California warned the defunding provision could force clinic closures, service reductions, and loss of access to family planning, STI testing, and cancer screenings. The California Hospital Association said the financing changes could cut hospital revenue by tens of billions over 10 years and threaten access, especially for rural and safety-net hospitals. The Western Center on Law and Poverty argued the law would increase churn, paperwork, and uninsured rates, disproportionately harming working adults and people experiencing homelessness. Committee members asked about implementation timelines, notification systems, administrative costs, the effect on immigrant eligibility, and whether California could delay or mitigate some provisions. Bass said the state was still assessing federal guidance, planning county and provider outreach, and exploring a possible delay for work requirements and a transition period for provider-tax changes. Members also discussed how state budget actions may need to be revisited in light of H.R. 1, and how California might preserve access through state-only funding or other policy changes. In the second panel, CHIRLA, Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, and the Children’s Partnership described the health consequences of immigration enforcement. Speakers said raids and data-sharing fears are causing anxiety, trauma, and avoidance of care, with Los Angeles County reporting declines in emergency, urgent care, and clinic visits after enforcement actions. The Children’s Partnership said school and early childhood absences are rising in some communities and that enforcement is undermining children’s emotional well-being and access to education. Members asked for more data and discussed possible state protections, telehealth, mobile care, and legal and policy responses to reduce fear and preserve access to health and education services.

Transcript Highlights:

• going to a house on, so the change slows you down to 15 miles per hour for that last quarter of a block
• last quarter of a block or whatever but<00:35:43.839> that<00:35:43.960> doesn't<00:35
• out of my way diverted uh a few blocks out of my way but<00:37:29.000> maybe<00:37:29.280>
• and the traffic all has to the block and the traffic all has to turn<00:37:43.200> and<00:37:
• <01:05:15.000> sidewalks intersections every block sidewalks intersections every block sidewalks

Keywords: 1187, senate, all