Transcript Highlights:

• that certain provisions apply to school bus drivers and school bus aides.
• That certain provisions apply to school bus drivers and school bus aides.
• So it would be the school district may provide Class 3 services at the non-public school, may compensate
• Council of the LOMAC Schools of North America. Council of the LOMAC Schools of North America.
• School budgets are set, and we've already seen the huge pressure on school districts due to the cost

Committee: Senate Senate Budget and Appropriations

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I say, school, and I’ve met with many, if the schools get low enough, they feel like they need more money
• And so the school district will roll that back.
• If the school district is at the current base of 275 or less, there are many schools, 54 that are less
• So, in that instance, if that school district or school districts that were below this number that you're
• providing in the statute, if that school district or school districts that were below this number that

Summary: The House first established a quorum after a quorum call and also welcomed guests from the Gateway Bleeding Disorders Association in recognition of Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month. The chamber then took up House Bill 2780, a major property tax reform measure, and adopted House Committee Substitute No. 2 before ordering it perfected and printed. The bill’s sponsor described four main provisions: applying Hancock rollback limits by subclass, adjusting the school levy floor from 2.75 to 2.20 while preserving current districts below 2.75 at that level for now, extending physical inspection protections to commercial property when assessments rise 15% or more, and requiring an old levy to expire before a new levy can take effect. Members from both parties largely supported the bill, though several raised concerns about the school levy floor and its interaction with the foundation formula; the sponsor said the bill was intended to stabilize taxes and send the issue to the Senate for further work. The substitute was adopted and the bill was perfected and printed. The House then considered a combined substitute for House Bills 2592, 2787, and 2834, which would restore voting rights to Missourians on probation or parole who are not incarcerated. The sponsor said the bill reflects accountability and reentry, and members discussed how election officials would determine eligibility, what happens if a voter later violates parole, and whether the measure could affect elections. Supporters, including members with corrections and election administration experience, said many people on supervision are working, paying taxes, and should be able to vote; opponents or skeptics focused on the seriousness of criminal penalties and the need to preserve public confidence. The substitute was adopted and the combined bill was ordered perfected and printed. Finally, the House took up House Bill 2125. The sponsor said it has three provisions: codifying the sharing of citizenship-status information in an existing Department of Revenue/Secretary of State data exchange, removing a sunset on the Secretary of State’s authority to seek court relief and subpoena records in credible election-violation investigations, and extending a technology fee sunset for another five years. The sponsor said the subpoena authority had been used only twice since 2020 and was intended to gather information, not automatically bring charges. Discussion on the bill began after the sponsor’s presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• A timing shift for the back-to-school sales tax holiday. language clarifies a timing shift for the back-to-school
• An administrative clarification that when a school board votes to put a school millage on a ballot for
• Some local school county commissioners are treating the requests by the school board for this reference
• . school county commissioners are treating the requests by the school board for this referendum as discretionary
• to close schools.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Senator Donnell C. Childers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Officer Antonio Richardson as law enforcement officer of the day. A quorum was announced, the journal was approved, and the Speaker said the chamber would take up 11 budget conference reports, with debate and final votes on each report. The first report considered was HB 7031E, the tax package, followed by HB 501E, the state budget appropriations bill. On HB 7031E, Chair Duggan explained that the conference report included a range of tax reductions and tax-related changes, including sales tax holidays, property tax and homestead-related provisions, reductions in certain taxes and fees, and new exemptions or administrative clarifications. He said the package also added items such as sales tax relief for certain university construction projects, a tennis admissions exemption, and changes to agricultural property tax treatment, and that the amendment reduced state and local tax revenues by $272.2 million. Members questioned the bill about the child care tax credit reduction from three years to one, the homestead exemption provision for certain diplomats and foreign service personnel, the absence of gas tax relief and combined reporting, and the inclusion of firearm accessories and tennis tickets in sales tax holidays. After structured debate, the House adopted the conference report and passed HB 7031E by a vote of 88-11. The House then began the conference report on HB 501E, the $114.5 billion budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, which was described as below the prior year’s spending level and leaving more than $14 billion in reserves. Subcommittee chairs outlined major allocations across education, higher education, IT, health care, transportation and economic development, justice, state administration, and agriculture/natural resources. Highlights included increased FEFP funding and veteran teacher raises, full funding for Bright Futures, major IT modernization projects, Medicaid and behavioral health funding, transportation and local infrastructure spending, correctional and law enforcement investments, fire station and emergency response funding, and large environmental and water-quality appropriations. Members asked detailed questions about school voucher fraud oversight, scholarship funding, teacher raises, preeminence funding, ADAP changes, SNAP data tools and error rates, Medicaid rate changes, prison wastewater monitoring, and other budget items, but the transcript ends during the budget questions before final action on HB 501E is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Universal free school meals for all of our students.
• Transportation of all types of students, regional schools, homeless students, vocational school transportation
• There are too few providers of school transportation services.
• And while the Student Opportunity Act has benefited tens of school districts, hundreds of school districts
• Michael Hurley is celebrating his daughter's high school graduation.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate took up a long series of FY26 budget amendments during debate on the Ways and Means budget bill. Early on, an amendment on debt service and the Debt Affordability Committee was rejected. A major education amendment offered by Senator Lewis and supported by Senator Comerford was then adopted; it directs DESE to begin a public process, with $200,000 in funding, to review and recommend updates to the Chapter 70 municipal contribution formula and related school funding structures as the Student Opportunity Act nears full implementation. Senators argued that school districts across the Commonwealth are under severe fiscal strain, citing rising special education, transportation, health insurance, and Proposition 2 1/2 pressures, and that the current formulas are increasingly out of alignment with local needs. The chamber also considered and voted on many other amendments, with several adopted and several rejected. Adopted amendments included measures on public payroll transparency, regional EMS, a small business group purchasing cooperative pilot, simplifying Medicaid eligibility determinations, and early education background checks. Rejected amendments included proposals on first-time homebuyer savings accounts, population change studies, competitiveness studies, emergency contract reform, natural gas cost containment, a $200 per pupil aid increase, regional school reimbursement increases, a Foundation Budget Review Commission-related study, special education service studies, welfare benefit audits, short-term capital gains, and an MBTA sustainability plan. Senator Durant also spoke in support of Amendment 766, which would create a crumbling concrete assistance fund for homeowners affected by pyrrhotite, with tax-exempt aid, federal funding applications, audits, and a stakeholder working group. Near the end of debate, Senator D. DiDomenico praised the Shannon Grant program for gang violence prevention, and the Senate adopted a final corrective amendment containing technical fixes and local earmarks. The bill was then ordered to a third reading and, after a roll call on engrossment, passed to be engrossed by a vote of 38-2. The Senate also approved a motion to adjourn to the following Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. and recessed in memory of Yaron Lashinsky, Sarah Lynn Milgram, and Leslie A. Feeney.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then we go down to the local school districts.
• When you were in school, we used chalkboards.
• But the local school district... ...local school district. We are not trying to overdo that.
• School districts are looking for guidance.
• That currently encompasses the 116 school districts and 74 public charter schools, representing a current

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1227, which would direct the State Board of Education to develop a statewide framework for generative AI in K-12 schools and require local districts to adopt related policies. Senator Cook said the bill is meant to promote AI literacy, transparency, privacy, and human oversight without mandating AI use, replacing teachers, or collecting new student data. Committee members asked about facial recognition, student data, parental opt-out, and age-appropriate use; Cook and supportive witnesses said existing privacy law covers data concerns, local districts would handle opt-out questions, and the framework is intended to start early with age-appropriate instruction. Testimony in support came from the Workforce Development Council, Idaho Education Technology Association, St. Luke’s Health System, Idaho PTA, and others, who said the bill would help prepare students for future jobs while protecting privacy and keeping humans in charge. The committee voted to send Senate Bill 1227 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then received a budget briefing from Joint Finance Appropriations Committee staff on public school support and higher education. Analysts explained that the public school budget is driven largely by support units and the Public Education Stabilization Fund, and that the governor’s FY27 recommendation is about $152 million below the agency request, with reductions tied to statutory population adjustments, Idaho Digital Learning Academy, virtual school transportation, and supplemental learning funds. They also noted recent enrollment declines and discussed how policy changes affect school funding. In higher education, staff outlined a combined $753 million request for colleges and universities, with the governor recommending about $11.5 million in rescissions across the institutions, plus separate health education programs totaling $30.4 million and recommended enhancements for 15 GME residents and fellows, including family medicine and psychiatry. JFAC staff also reviewed the state’s broader fiscal picture, saying ongoing revenues are not keeping pace with ongoing appropriations and that the legislature may need to rely on one-time money or policy changes to restore structural balance. They discussed the impact of tax conformity legislation, revenue forecast changes, and the growth of major budget areas such as public schools and Medicaid over the past decade. Committee members asked follow-up questions about enrollment trends, university enrollment weighting, rescissions, Medicaid expansion costs, and the effect of prior tax policy decisions. No votes were taken on the budget presentations, and the meeting adjourned after the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:09.159><c> I</c> proart program at Shaky High School I proart program at Shaky High School
• I'm a student in the ProStart program at Oak River High School.
• </c> then I guess to kind of know the schools then I guess to kind of know the schools that<00:16:56.759
• </c><00:20:02.120><c> too</c> opportunity to visit shaki schools too opportunity to visit shaki schools
• </c><00:20:33.400><c> just</c> these opportunities in high school just these opportunities in high school

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> federal government unit to a school federal government unit to a school district<00:14:55.920><c
• </c> be made available during the school day. be made available during the school day.
• during school hours reimbursing students during school hours reimbursing schools<00:54:20.480><c> for
• So, not all optional for schools.
• Now, one of the in high school.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The work session began with HB 656, as amended, which would treat federal funds received by school districts as unanticipated money unless already listed in the annual report, and would require notices and school board minutes to identify the grant and summarize any obligations attached to accepting it. Supporters said the bill was aimed at transparency so voters would understand the “strings attached” to grants, while opponents raised concerns that the amendment was new, potentially vague, and could require districts to publish lengthy or redundant information, increasing costs and administrative burden. Several members suggested alternative approaches, such as a state-level list of common grant obligations or posting grant documents online. No vote was taken, and some members argued the bill was not ready for action. The committee then moved to HB 665, which would expand eligibility for free school meals to households at up to 300% of federal poverty guidelines and use education trust fund money to cover the added cost. Representative Damon strongly supported the bill, citing food insecurity and arguing the fiscal note likely overstated costs because the bill requires at least one free meal, not necessarily both breakfast and lunch. The discussion was just beginning when the transcript ended, and no vote or final action on HB 665 was recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Very first day of school, ironically. Very first day of school. Yes.
• Very first day, very first day of school, ironically. Very first day of school, yes.
• Our participating school districts and charter schools are those participating employers, and they work
• So we've had five charter schools, and we have a few schools that are still and charter schools in the
• then they approve any school district or charter school that wants to be involved in that process.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The Higher Education Appropriations Committee met for its first session of the year, took roll, welcomed new member Senator Bracey Davis, and had members briefly describe their backgrounds and interest in higher education. Chair Harrell framed the committee’s focus on maintaining Florida’s top national ranking in higher education and workforce development, with an emphasis on funding decisions tied to student success, workforce needs, and the state college system. Senior Chancellor Kevin O’Farrell presented the Department of Education’s workforce and Florida College System budget requests and data. He described requested increases for adult education, Florida College System program funding, workforce development, and several grant programs, including workforce capitalization, apprenticeship/teacher apprenticeship, Open Door, and CAPE industry certifications. He highlighted record enrollment and completion growth across Florida’s colleges and technical centers, major gains in career dual enrollment, and expansion in programs such as nursing, AI, cybersecurity, welding, HVAC, and manufacturing. Members asked about labor-market demand, the impact of artificial intelligence on future job training, teacher apprenticeship details, mission creep and duplication in CTE programs, student placement and wages after graduation, and articulation between technical college clock hours and college credit. South Florida State College President Fred Hawkins testified about challenges facing a rural college, including low local college-going rates, long travel distances, limited faculty recruitment due to salaries, and the need for more operational funding to expand capacity. He cited strong job placement and licensure outcomes in nursing, dental hygiene, EMT/paramedic, and radiography, and said the college is exploring AI tools to improve student services and reduce staffing pressure. Pinellas Technical College Executive Director Mark Hunter described strong dual enrollment, high job placement, employer partnerships, and a reported 400% return on investment, while also warning that many programs have waiting lists because of staffing and equipment constraints. He explained how technical college coursework is aligned with state college credit through content-based articulation agreements. The committee then opened the floor for public comment, but no additional business was taken up, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we also have our new, brand-new school board, Sam Rosemark, here with us as well from our school
• Um, which then harms our schools. no. Um, which then harms our schools.
• ><c> our</c><00:13:32.959><c> school</c> school districts, for our school school districts, for our school
• </c> schools from across Minnesota. schools from across Minnesota.
• </c> drastic between other school districts. drastic between other school districts.

Committee: Senate Elections

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Many schools are teachers and staff.
• ><c> not</c><00:18:53.360><c> retaliate</c> school claimed they did not retaliate school claimed they
• </c> and this includes teaching high school. and this includes teaching high school.
• That is all about a the schools.
• . schools. schools.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 29 was heard in committee as a proposal to suspend adoption of the revised social studies standards, push implementation to 2030-31, repeal the requirement to embed ethnic studies across all standards, and cancel related appropriations. The bill sponsor argued Minnesota schools should focus on basic academic achievement and that ethnic studies requirements add burdens and distract from reading, math, and science. The chair moved the bill to the Committee on Education Finance after opening the hearing and then took extensive public testimony. Testimony was sharply divided. Supporters of HF 29, including Katherine Kersten, Deanna Moose, Kendall Qualls, Hillary Swanson, and Diane Smith, argued the ethnic studies framework is ideological, overly focused on race, insufficiently transparent, and costly in professional development time; several said it would divide students or burden teachers. Some supporters also claimed the standards or framework promote activism, critical race theory, or racial stratification. Opponents, including Mark Westfall, Crystal Johnson, Jim Grathwol, Marcus Penny, Claude Sigman, and Courtney Major, said the standards are inclusive, research-based, and designed to help students understand multiple perspectives, civic life, and the contributions of diverse Minnesotans. They emphasized that ethnic studies can improve engagement, critical thinking, and representation, and that teachers should be trusted to implement the standards. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided. The only formal action noted was the chair’s motion to re-refer House File 29 to the Committee on Education Finance.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have other clients, like a family in Colorado whose middle school daughter went on a school field
• and public schools.
• So I sent my kids to school. In fact, it's mandated that our kids are supposed to go to school.
• In 2021, many people know about the Loudoun County, Virginia, situation in the high school in that school
• My name is Andrew Yeager, and I am the vice president of the Carroll Independent School District school

Bills: SB240 , SB1183 , SB1184 , SB1577 , SB2043 , SB2051 , SCR42 , SJR68

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: biological sex, gender identity, public facilities, civil penalties, local government, EBT, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare benefits, benefit card fraud, fraud hotline, card replacement, photo ID, recipient photograph, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1183, by Senator Creighton, which would require Lone Star Cards used for SNAP and TANF benefits to display the recipient’s name and photo, add fraud-reporting information, and require HHSC to track replacement-card requests. Creighton argued the bill would reduce fraud and protect taxpayer dollars, citing Texas SNAP theft and overpayment data. HHSC testified that photo IDs on the card are technically possible and explained how authorized secondary users are added. Dr. Amber O’Connor of Every Texan testified against the bill, saying SNAP fraud is a small share of expenditures, that the proposal would be costly and ineffective, and that federal rules limit mandatory photo requirements. Public testimony closed and SB 1183 was left pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1184, also by Senator Creighton, which would lower from 20 years to 10 years the minimum age of collectible wine that Texas collectors may sell to permitted restaurants. Supporters said the change would help Texas restaurants access desirable vintages, keep collectible wine in-state, and align with market demand; invited witnesses from the wine industry testified in favor. No opposition was heard, public testimony closed, and SB 1184 was left pending. Next, Senator Birdwell laid out Senate Bill 2051 and Senate Joint Resolution 68, both aimed at revising Texas impeachment procedures in response to issues identified during the 2023 impeachment process. The measures would clarify constitutional and statutory impeachment authority, require sworn testimony, extend review periods for House members, address conflicts of interest and presiding officers, require cost reporting, and modify rules for impeaching the governor or lieutenant governor. A committee substitute added protections for the accused, longer review periods, and a fallback presiding-officer option. Witnesses generally supported stronger accountability but raised questions about whether the language should also cover retired or visiting judges. Both measures were left pending after testimony. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1577, which would expand Texas Motor Speedway’s alcohol sales authority to include distilled spirits and remove certain event and concession limits; the Speedway’s representative supported the bill and it was left pending. Later, the committee heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 42 and Senate Bill 240, which would recognize only two sexes and restrict access to sex-designated private spaces in public facilities based on biological sex. Supporters argued the measures were needed to protect women’s privacy and safety, including in schools and shelters, while opponents warned about enforcement problems, privacy concerns, and impacts on transgender Texans and others who do not fit stereotypical sex traits. After extensive testimony, both measures were left pending. The committee then took up multiple pending bills and reported several favorably, including SB 511, SB 33, SB 510, SB 871, SB 2024, SB 2166, SJR 27, SJR 40, SB 1313, SB 1314, SB 1316, SB 1541, SB 2420, SB 1999, SB 2309, SB 1860, and SB 2429, with some also certified for the local and uncontested calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill removes a school district's authority to spend proceeds from the lease of school property on
• of school district taxes.
• School District.
• School District.
• Well, the Tolleson Union School District leased a middle school campus for $25 million up front.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance Committee of Reference

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee approved the March 16, 2026 minutes and then heard testimony on several bills, with the chair noting that votes would be taken in batches because members were coming and going. HB 2939 would increase the rural qualified facilities tax credit from $20,000 to $25,000 per job for certain projects with initial investment under $2 billion; Lucid Motors supported it as a rural economic development tool, while Senator Epstein questioned the fiscal note and whether the higher credit would actually attract new investment. HB 2950 would authorize tourism improvement areas funded by voluntary lodging assessments to support marketing and tourism promotion; the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association and Visit Phoenix backed it as a competitive tool for rural and urban destinations, and committee members focused on whether participation was truly voluntary and how the assessments would be administered. HB 2780 made technical conforming changes to Arizona’s property tax lien foreclosure and excess proceeds sale process, building on a prior law that created a mechanism for delinquent property owners to recover equity; the sponsor and a longtime constituent said the changes would fix timing and credit-bid language so qualified entity sales could work in practice. HB 2502 would let certain elected officials in ASRS retire at normal retirement age without resigning their office, with the employer paying the alternate contribution rate; ASRS said it was neutral, and the sponsor argued the bill would treat elected officials more like other ASRS members. The committee then adopted do-pass recommendations for HB 2502, HB 2780, HB 2950, and HB 2939, with each passing on split votes. The committee also adopted a striker to HB 2140, allowing the State Treasurer to invest up to 10% of state trust and treasury monies in physical gold or silver bullion held in secure U.S. depositories. The sponsor and the Sound Money Defense League argued it would diversify reserves and hedge against market disruption, while opponents said gold is volatile, costly to store, and not something taxpayers need the state to buy. HB 2140 then passed as amended on a 4-2 vote. Finally, the committee heard HB 2398, as amended, which requires commercial liability insurance for watercraft rentals and peer-to-peer boat sharing programs, with supporters saying it addresses uninsured rental boats and law enforcement concerns; the bill passed as amended on a 6-1 vote. The committee also heard HB 2999, a major housing-finance bill creating state affordability infrastructure districts to finance public infrastructure through bonds and assessments; proponents said it would lower housing costs by spreading infrastructure costs over time, while contractors and some senators raised concerns about payment risk, impact-fee treatment, and whether savings would reach homebuyers. After adopting a striker and hearing extensive questions, HB 2999 passed as amended on a 6-1 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• school.
• for our school district.
• for our school district. certain serving as the assistant superintendent for our school district.
• Having two daughters who got degrees at that other school, your school, FSU, I would appreciate exactly
• I've also taught law school for 40 years, taught undergraduate school.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to hear confirmation testimony for a large slate of university and state college trustees. Most of the discussion centered on the nominees’ backgrounds, ties to their institutions, and priorities such as student success, workforce development, financial sustainability, research growth, housing, and maintaining or improving university rankings. Several University of Florida trustees emphasized campus improvements, “One UF” integration, institutional neutrality, and ambitions to move UF into the top tier nationally. Other nominees highlighted goals for Florida A&M, Florida Atlantic, UCF, Florida State, Florida Poly, the Florida Prepaid College Board, and several state colleges, with recurring themes of affordability, economic mobility, cybersecurity, and keeping Florida students in-state for college and careers. Public testimony was heard on the Florida A&M appointment, where Elijah Hooks spoke in opposition to the current administration and described his expulsion, arrest, and trespass from the university after protesting the selection of President Marva Johnson. During questioning of FAU nominee Tina Vidal-Duart, senators asked about her prior service on the Hope Florida Foundation board and about reports concerning CDR Health’s contracting practices; she said she was not aware of the foundation issues at the time and noted that CDR’s state contract was a flat daily rate, so subcontractor pricing affected only the company’s internal margins. Other nominees received little or no questioning. At the end of the meeting, the committee voted to confirm all nominees except Tina Vidal-Duart separately. Senator Bracy Davis requested the separate vote and opposed her confirmation, citing concerns related to her Hope Florida Foundation board service. Despite that objection, the committee ultimately voted to report Vidal-Duart favorably as well. The committee also noted that one University of West Florida nominee would be taken up at a later hearing because he was unable to attend.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of those 10, 9, local effort towards schools.
• Baseline teacher grant hold harmless small schools grant.
• So these are many school districts Thanks. ...schools grant.
• schools with this, but I feel like we're also letting lots of schools have more of a pass on that local
• schools with this, but I feel like we're also letting lots of schools have more of a pass on that local

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Orange County Public Schools, Marquis McMiller, waves in support.
• Orange County Public Schools, Marquis Miller, waving in support.
• He goes to Tocoi Creek High School in St. Augustine.
• He goes to To Coy Creek High School in St. Augustine.
• And all of them find. school in St.

Committee: Senate Education Pre-K - 12

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education Pre-K through 12 considered several education-related measures and one election-related bill. The committee first took up CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate, which was presented as a statewide effort to expand and institutionalize competitive speech and debate through a Hall of Fame, a designated Speech and Debate Week, teacher endorsement options, Florida Virtual School programming, statewide coursework and credentials, and annual district reporting. Supporters, including a parent and representatives of the Florida Debate Initiative and school groups, emphasized student benefits and the need for funding; the committee adopted a delete-all amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee next heard SB 1718 on educator preparation and certification, aimed at reducing administrative delays for initial certification and reinstatement while preserving standards. An Orange County school administrator supported the bill but requested language to allow educators to bank professional learning hours for a future renewal cycle. The bill was reported favorably. SB 1646 on educational facilities followed, revising how facility funding is calculated and prioritized, with attention to safety, maintenance, renovation, and planning requirements; it also received support from school district and advocacy witnesses and was reported favorably. Members then considered CS/SB 564, which would allow registered or pre-registered high school students to volunteer at polling locations and count the service toward community service hours. After an amendment clarifying that the hours could count toward graduation or postsecondary financial aid requirements, the sponsor and a county supervisor of elections explained the bill as a way to encourage civic engagement and future poll workers. The committee also heard SB 1340 on coordinated screening and progress monitoring for dyslexia and dyscalculia, requiring early screening, support plans, and rulemaking; it was reported favorably after questions about how the support plans would interact with IEPs. Finally, the committee recommended confirmation of Laila Collins to the State Board of Education and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• But today I rise to recognize a farm to school early childhood awareness and school nutrition day at
• </c> school nutrition day at the state house. school nutrition day at the state house.
• </c> years of universal school meals. years of universal school meals.
• </c> breakfast and lunch at school breakfast and lunch at school every<00:05:15.919><c> day.
• ,</c><00:05:45.120><c> and</c> school nutrition, farm to school, and school nutrition, farm to school

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In our public schools. In a public school.
• But it still went on, that school districts, school district by school district, school board by school
• I'll never forget a school district call. me about it's now a school district in Senator Huffman's district
• The school board, the school district, the parents, the fights that they had within.
• Would your bill, Senate Bill 7, provide a standard so that every school district and every school board

Bills: SB15 , SB9 , SB7 , SB1 , SB2 , SB67 , SB15 , SB9 , SB7

Keywords: real property, fraud, theft, elderly, disabled, statute of limitations, criminal offense, property rights, property tax, ad valorem tax, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax rate calculation, Tax Code, local government finance, municipality, county, special taxing unit, sales and use tax, property tax cap

Transcript Highlights:

• In school, I had a lot of necessary... ...use of my hands.
• work or continue our education in college and graduate school.
• Annie loves school. She loves her teacher. I'm so lucky, lucky, lucky. Annie loves school.
• As far as school goes, we were lucky, or we are lucky.
• They're seen as valuable parts of that school community.

Keywords: special education, funding, equity, advocacy, Texas Legislature, SB568, HB2, disabilities

Summary: This was a press conference calling on the Texas Legislature to increase and reform funding for special education, with speakers arguing that the current system leaves a roughly $1.7 billion gap and forces districts to stretch general education dollars to cover mandated services. Sabrina Gonzalez Ocedo of The Arc of Texas opened by framing the issue as one of equity and self-determination for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and noted support for legislative efforts including Senate Bill 568 and House Bill 2. She also thanked a coalition of advocacy groups and legislators involved in special education funding work. Representative Steve Toth spoke in favor of investing surplus dollars in special education, citing high rates of functional illiteracy and dyslexia among prison populations and saying earlier intervention could change life outcomes. Amy Litzinger described how accommodations and assistive technology helped her succeed in school and urged continued investment so other students can access similar supports. Sarah Harden, a parent and disability advocate, shared her daughter’s positive experience in a well-supported district but warned that many Texas districts cannot provide comparable services because of funding shortages and that families are increasingly worried about cuts. Rachel Hull, a special education director, said well-resourced special education is transformational and outlined the need for individualized services, therapies, vocational training, and college readiness supports. Jean Mayer, a school trustee, said districts are struggling to meet state and federal requirements because funding does not match actual costs, pointing to staffing shortages and the need for parent engagement and professional development. The speakers repeatedly urged lawmakers to fully fund Senate Bill 568 and broader special education reforms this session; no votes were taken, as this was an advocacy event rather than a committee hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> middle school teacher. middle school teacher.
• Schools. Schools.
• </c> School Building Maintenance Funds. School Building Maintenance Funds.
• of school maintenance.
• </c> schools and communities. schools and communities.

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill allows parents to opt to convert their children's school to be a charter school.
• In contrast, my time in charter schools during my middle school era, my single mother, brother, and I
• to a charter school.
• to a charter school.
• district of the school.

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The committee took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 1422 on unmanned aircraft systems. The bill increases penalties for flying drones over critical infrastructure, prohibits drones equipped with weapons or explosives, creates a first-degree felony for drones carrying a weapon of mass destruction, and includes a law enforcement exception. A lay-filed amendment by Senator Pizzo warning against the use of force to shoot down drones was debated but failed, and the bill was then reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably on SB 846 addressing notary public fraud in immigration-related services, SB 650 on hazardous walking conditions for school transportation, SB 922 on employment agreements including non-compete and garden leave provisions, and SB 1820 on motor vehicle manufacturer and dealer relations, covering performance measures, retaliation, and franchise termination standards. Several bills focused on education, health care, and disability issues. SB 540, the Evan B. Hartzell Act, would require disability history and awareness instruction across grade levels; it drew emotional testimony from the bill sponsor, family members, and supporters, and was reported favorably. SB 998 would allow advanced practice registered nurses to certify deaths and file death certificates in hospice settings under physician protocol, and SB 1412 would modernize home health agency rules by expanding administrative flexibility and contract service use; both passed. SB 1736 would allow direct support professionals and relatives to administer insulin in group home settings for individuals with developmental disabilities, and it was also reported favorably. The committee also advanced several regulatory and court-related measures. SB 1650 expands Florida’s vexatious litigant law, including allowing designation based on conduct in a single case and extending the look-back period, while SB 1652 creates a public records exemption for certain stricken non-criminal court filings; both were approved. SB 1076 on roofing contractors was amended to require continuing education for roof-to-wall connections and then passed, and SB 1078 on fire prevention was amended with stakeholder-agreed language before being reported favorably. SB 1080 on local government land regulations, after multiple amendments and significant debate over agricultural enclaves and local control, was also approved. Other major measures included SB 818 on utility relocation, which creates a relocation fund funded by a portion of communications services tax revenue and was supported by multiple industry and local-government groups after a compromise amendment; SB 868 on social media use by minors, which would require a decryption mechanism for law enforcement access under subpoena and prohibit disappearing messages for minors, remained under discussion as the transcript ended. The committee also heard SB 96, a claims bill for Jacob Rogers against the City of Gainesville, and reported it favorably after testimony that the city would pay the settlement amount.