Transcript Highlights:

• I think the work that Senator Apprentice put into this bill is very timely, and obviously there'll be
• I think the work that Senator Apprentice put into this bill is very timely, and obviously there'll be
• I think the work that Senator Apprentice put into this bill is very timely, and obviously there'll be
• I've talked to Senator Apprentice and Dr.
• <00:32:41.200> noted barriers as Senator Apprentice noted barriers as Senator Apprentice noted

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senators, it is Apprenticeship Day on the Hill, and in the East Gallery, we have directors and apprentices
• In the East Gallery, we have directors and apprentices with the Florida building trades: electricians
• So our apprentices graduate with a skill set and no college debt.
• Let's hear it for our apprentices who took the time to travel here today and show us firsthand the valuable
• to go back and forth and politicize this, sort of opened up that area of allowing, I would say, apprentices

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer, pledge, and several recognitions, including visiting student groups, chambers of commerce, and apprenticeship participants. Senators also observed a moment of silence for a fallen Walton County deputy and later for the late John Pasadoma. The chamber then moved through a long third-reading calendar and special order calendar, with most bills passing overwhelmingly and several amendments adopted along the way. Among the major measures, SB 234 on criminal offenses against law enforcement officers passed 37-0 after debate and an amendment clarifying “good faith” in an officer’s duties; SB 7020 on open government and cybersecurity information passed 37-0; SM 1488 urging Congress to create a U.S. sovereign wealth fund was adopted by voice vote; SB 944 reducing insurance overpayment claim deadlines for psychologists passed 37-0; SB 878 expanding misdemeanor probation treatment provisions to controlled substances passed 36-1; SB 538, the state court system package, passed 37-0; SB 480 on nonprofit agricultural organization medical benefit plans passed 32-4; SB 472 on correctional-facility education credit for licensure passed 37-0; and SB 56 on geoengineering and weather modification passed 28-9 after extensive debate about enforcement, federal preemption, and the bill’s purpose. Later, the Senate passed CS/HB 421 on peer support for first responders 37-0 after substituting the House companion, and SB 164 on vessel accountability advanced with a technical amendment. SB 166 on administrative efficiency in public schools drew the most extended debate and multiple amendments; it changes testing, promotion, teacher evaluation, certification, and facilities rules, and passed 37-0. The chamber also passed SB 282 on warranty association financial requirements 36-0, SB 316 creating series LLCs 35-1, and SB 384 on annexing state-owned lands 36-0. At the end of the day, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify all passed bills to the House, received budget schedule guidance from Appropriations Chair Hooper for SB 2500 and SB 2502, and adjourned until April 9.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, uh, I know Senator Apprentice is—she has four bills that she has with us today, and I uh,
• I want to thank Senator Apprentice for sponsoring this bill, which is department-requested, and also
• <00:28:00.600> to I will recognize Senator Apprentice to I will recognize Senator Apprentice
• <00:45:24.800> um and very grateful to sen Apprentice um and very grateful to sen Apprentice
• Thank you to Senator Apprentice for working so incredibly hard to raise this important issue.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• school district that's a participating employer, and they would receive designation as that teacher apprentice
• So, with that said, when it comes to mental health, registration, financial aid, changing classes, we

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:

• Senator Apprentice, do you wish to move an amendment?
• Senator Apprentice, do you wish to move an amendment?
• Senator Apprentice,<01:30:17.920> no.
• Apprentice, no. Senator Gray, yes. Apprentice, no. Senator Gray, yes.
• Senator Apprentice, Senator Waters, no.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• friend and colleague Senator Apprentice friend and colleague Senator Apprentice who<00:12:24.800
• 00:12:51.880> chair rardy Senator Apprentice thank you chair rardy Senator Apprentice thank you
• Senator Apprentice, thank you, Chair Rochford, and thank you all for joining us here today.
• Senator Apprentice? Oh, no, I'm sorry. All right there, thank you very much.
• Senator Apprentice, thank you.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They encourage voter registration, voting, leadership, and we are so happy to have them here today.
• They encourage voter registration, voting, leadership, and we are so happy to have them here today.
• Engrossed Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for House Bill 4793, creating the Barber Apprentice

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate met on March 11, 2026, with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approval, and numerous guest and page introductions, including school groups, prayer caucus visitors, and advocates for Home Family Education Day and Women in Blue Day. The chamber then took up committee reports and a large number of House bills, most of them on third reading, along with several resolutions and referrals. Senate Resolution 62, designating March 12, 2026, as West Virginia Athletic Trainers Day, was adopted after remarks emphasizing the value of athletic trainers in preventing injuries and tragedies in school sports. Several other resolutions and concurrent resolutions were referred to the Committee on Rules or laid over under the rules. The Senate passed a wide range of bills addressing economic development, public safety, health, licensing, and state administration. Measures approved included bills on the West Virginia Collaboratory at Marshall University, the Business Ready Sites program, volunteer fire company spending authority, the Load Forecast Accountability Act, funeral service licensure, work zone fines, biennial business reporting, correctional officer retirement law, the Right to Try Act, quick claim deed tax exemptions, an ibogaine drug-development grant program, aggravated vehicular homicide sentencing, 529 savings plan definitions, opportunity zones, barber apprenticeship, municipal and county hotel occupancy fund uses, criminal-record licensing standards, intimate image disclosure remedies, executor training materials, contempt penalties, PEIA treatment flexibility, PANS/PANDAS information, the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, capitation rate review expansions, convention and visitors bureau board membership, peer support services, cosmetology licensure compacts, natural resource police retirement, DNR fee indexing, ALS care services, the Neighborhood Investment Program, oil and gas well plugging and carbon capture-related provisions, DUI technical changes, abuse intervention program terminology, and a youth summer employment and career readiness program. Most bills passed overwhelmingly, with a few closer votes, including the Load Forecast Accountability Act and the DNR fee-indexing bill. Several bills were amended on the floor, including title amendments and strike-and-insert changes. The Senate also debated the work zone penalty bill, with supporters citing worker safety and fatalities and opponents arguing the bill increased fines too much without requiring removal of outdated work-zone signs. On the energy-related load forecast bill, senators discussed the inclusion of provisions from Senate Bill 420 and concerns about coal plant utilization and utility impacts. After debate, the Senate adopted amendments and passed the bill. In most cases, after passage the Senate ordered the bills communicated to the House, and for a few measures it also adopted title amendments or made bills effective from passage or on a specified date.

Transcript Highlights:

• Great questions, >> Senator Apprentice. >> Thank you, Cher Roford. Gentlemen, welcome back.
• Great questions, Great questions, >> Senator<00:19:19.679> Apprentice.
• >> Senator Apprentice. >> Senator Apprentice.
• All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Senator Apprentice, would you like to take this out?
• Second. >> I'll give that one to Senator Apprentice. She's uh she was ...

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, Senator Apprentice, do you want to discuss what we've got going on with 316?
• I want to thank Senator Apprentice for all of her work on this.
• I want to thank Senator Apprentice for all of her work on this.
• all of her work Senator Apprentice for all of her work on<00:14:14.720> this.
• And Senator Apprentice, you want to take this out? I would be happy to take this out. Thank you.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Just a look into the numbers that we have: we have about 11,000 active apprentices training in Minnesota
• Just a look into the numbers that we have: we have about 11,000 active apprentices training in Minnesota
• Just a look into the numbers that we have: we have about 11,000 active apprentices training in Minnesota
• Just a look into the numbers that we have: we have about 11,000 active apprentices training in Minnesota
• we've seen in um really apprentices we've seen in um really apprentices being<01:24:01.840> able

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee met under a new Senate power-sharing arrangement with co-chairs, began with member and staff introductions, and then received a jurisdiction overview from Senate counsel. The overview explained that the Labor Committee’s jurisdiction has not changed from the previous biennium and covers fair labor standards, minimum wage, workers’ compensation, occupational safety and health, and related agencies and boards such as the Department of Labor and Industry, Bureau of Mediation Services, PERB, and the Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals. It also noted that some topics, including paid leave, fall under other committees, while earned sick and safe time remains within Labor and Industry jurisdiction. Commissioner Nicole Blissenbach and Josiah Moore then gave a detailed Department of Labor and Industry presentation. They reviewed the department’s funding sources, emphasizing that workers’ compensation funds and construction codes/licensing revenues make up most of the budget, while the general fund is a small share. They described the department’s major divisions, including workers’ compensation, construction codes and licensing, labor standards, nursing home workforce standards, and OSHA consultation and compliance, and highlighted practical examples of their work. Examples included return-to-work assistance for an injured worker, compliance training that reduced penalties for self-insurers and claim administrators, and use of the Special Compensation Fund when an employer lacked workers’ compensation insurance. The labor standards section highlighted enforcement actions involving unpaid overtime, pregnancy and parental leave retaliation, wage deductions, and child labor violations, along with totals for 2024 collections and inquiries. The presentation also noted the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board’s adopted rules, the expansion of construction licensing exams statewide, and OSHA consultation programs such as Min-SHARP and MINSTAR, including a Minnesota employer that recently achieved MINSTAR status. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• 642 on behalf of Senator Apprentice 642 on behalf of Senator Apprentice who's<00:44:05.440> tied
• Senator Apprentice confirmed that was correct.
• Senator Apprentice confirmed that was correct, saying none of these boards are compensated.
• Senator Apprentice said to just strike the word and make it the same membership.
• Chair Pearl told Senator Apprentice he knew she was busy and she was welcome to stay if she wanted.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Apprentice, good morning, Representative Wheeler. Good morning, Senator.
• Senator Apprentice, thank you, Chair Ward, and, um, Miss McClure, thank you for taking my questions.
• <01:09:40.880> thank<01:09:41.080> you sure do Senator Apprentice thank you sure do
• Senator Apprentice thank you chair<01:09:41.600> Ward<01:09:42.159> and<01:09:43.000><
• um not thank you that Senator Apprentice um not thank you not<01:12:46.360> a<01:12:46.480>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Or actually, Senator Apprentice, do you want to take it out? Yes.
• Apprentice, do you want to take it out? Apprentice, do you want to take it out? Yes.
• Senator Apprentice seconds that. Any further discussion? If I may, Mr.
• > I<01:50:19.040> believe Senator apprentice and long I believe Senator apprentice and
• we're so excited that Senate apprentice we're so excited that Senate apprentice has<02:06:29.520

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 69, introduced by Senator Padilla, an act relating to motor vehicles, requiring registration
• 77, introduced by Senator Padilla, an act relating to public works, requiring contributions to apprentice
• and training programs or to the Public Works Apprentice and Training Fund for public works construction

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senators, it is Apprenticeship Day on the Hill, and in the East Gallery, we have directors and apprentices
• In the East Gallery, we have directors and apprentices with the Florida Building Trades: electricians
• So our apprentices graduate with a skill set and no college debt.
• Let's hear it for our apprentices who took the time to travel here today and show us firsthand the valuable
• to go back and forth and politicize this, sort of opened up that area of allowing, I would say, apprentices

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including state championship athletic teams, visiting chambers of commerce, apprentices, students, and other guests. The chamber then moved through a long third-reading calendar and special order calendar, with no committee reports or executive messages on the desk. A moment of silence was held for Walton County Deputy William Will May, who died in the line of duty. Among the major bills passed was SB 234, which strengthens restrictions on resisting law enforcement officers and increases penalties related to manslaughter of an officer; an amendment clarifying “good faith” in an officer’s duties was adopted, and the bill passed 37-0. The Senate also passed SB 7020 on open government review of certain cybersecurity information, SM 1488 urging Congress to create a U.S. sovereign wealth fund, SB 944 reducing the overpayment claim period for insurers/HMOs seeking reimbursement from licensed psychologists from 30 months to 12 months, SB 878 extending probation treatment options for misdemeanor offenses involving controlled substances, SB 538 updating the state court system, SB 480 expanding nonprofit agricultural medical benefit plans, SB 472 giving correctional education credit toward professional licensure, SB 86/House companion 421 expanding peer support for first responders to include support personnel, SB 164 on vessel accountability, SB 282 on warranty association financial requirements, SB 316 creating Series LLC rules, and SB 384 requiring notice to legislative delegations before municipal annexation of state-owned lands. The most debated measure was CS/CS/SB 56 on geoengineering and weather modification, which Garcia said would prohibit unauthorized atmospheric interventions, create reporting and enforcement mechanisms through DEP, and impose felony penalties; Polsky questioned the bill’s practicality, federal preemption issues, and agency capacity, while supporters said it would address public concerns and close loopholes. The Senate also passed CS/SB 166 on public school administrative efficiency after adopting several amendments affecting school purchasing timelines, third-grade retention exemptions, teacher contracts, certification, facilities planning, and an OPPAGA study of cost-per-student-station limits; senators debated testing, teacher evaluations, and school accountability. At the end of the day, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify all passed bills to the House, received budget process guidance from Appropriations Chair Hooper on SB 2500 and SB 2502 amendment deadlines, and then adjourned until April 9.

Transcript Highlights:

• So since 2018-2019, we've seen a 60% increase in the number of registered apprentices. Phenomenal.
• Currently, we have about 22,444 apprentices and pre-apprentices participating in those programs all across
• little cost to... ...provide additional teachers and to do so with very little cost to the teacher apprentice
• So while the teacher apprentice is working at the public school as a paraprofessional and designated
• as a teacher apprentice, the related instruction that would eventually result in the earning of a baccalaureate

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education received an overview of Florida’s career and technical education (CTE) system from Chancellor Kevin O’Farrell, who described the state’s CTE pathways, program types, enrollment and completion growth, quality audit metrics, and the Master Credentials List used to identify credentials of value. He highlighted record postsecondary CTE enrollment and completions, strong statewide performance in talent attraction, and several funding tools supporting expansion, including Open Door, the Florida First Responder Scholarship, Workforce Development Capitalization grants, Perkins funding, CAPE performance incentives, and apprenticeship grants. Senators asked about eligibility for Open Door and first responder aid, top industry certifications, and the teacher apprenticeship initiative. A panel of college and technical school leaders then described how state and federal funding has supported local program growth and facility expansion. Santa Fe College, Palm Beach State College, North Florida Technical College, Lake Technical College, Florida Gateway College, and Manatee Technical College each cited increases in enrollment, high placement or licensure pass rates, and new or expanded programs in nursing, welding, CDL, automotive, manufacturing, public safety, and apprenticeship. Several speakers emphasized partnerships with hospitals, employers, school districts, and local governments, and noted that grants helped fund equipment, renovations, and new training hubs. Palm Beach State also raised a request to broaden line funding beyond nursing to other health science fields, and multiple presenters asked for more flexibility, multi-year support, and continued or increased funding to sustain growth. Members discussed broader challenges, including the difficulty of sustaining grant-funded growth after initial awards, the lag between enrollment growth and funding formulas, and alignment problems for dual enrollment and technical programs with high school schedules. Senators also noted the need to balance support for high-demand core programs like nursing and welding with the ability to respond quickly to emerging industries such as AI and space. The meeting ended with no formal action beyond adjournment after Senator Davis moved to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, a recent Hollywood High School pre-apprentice with the Handy Foundation, who you'll hear from
• later today, was hired as an assistant editor apprentice and had the opportunity to work on the recent
• Apprentices are just about universally placed, near 100% placement, with the majority experiencing wage
• Apprentices are just about universally placed, near 100% placement, with the majority experiencing wage
• And that's where we find a lot of these apprentices.

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Arts held an informational hearing on California’s first sector-specific creative economy strategic plan, “California’s Future Is Creative,” developed under AB 127 and related legislation. Chair Allen framed the plan as a response to California’s large but vulnerable creative economy, citing workforce losses, federal funding headwinds, and the need to support artists, cultural organizations, public media, museums, cultural districts, and film/TV production. He also highlighted budget asks including support for California Humanities, museums, public media, cultural districts, a post-production incentive proposal (AB 2319), and funding to implement the strategic plan. California Arts Council Director Danielle Brazel, Institute for the Future’s Rachel Hatch, CDE’s Allison Frenzel, and CWDB’s Michael Weoff described the planning process, which included a 30-plus-member work group, interagency coordination, and a phased approach from framework development to implementation and evaluation. They identified major forces shaping the sector over the next decade, including AI, climate disruption, affordability, access to capital, and social cohesion, and outlined six action areas: workforce preparation, business stabilization, cultural identity/tourism, cross-sector incentives, ROI/data tracking, and state capacity/infrastructure. Members and panelists repeatedly emphasized that the plan must be resourced and integrated across agencies rather than left siloed. A second panel of practitioners and advocates focused on workforce pathways and local implementation. Ricarlo Handy described the Handy Foundation’s registered apprenticeship pipeline into film and TV jobs and argued that current data systems undercount gig, 1099, and LLC-based creative work. Joanna Reynolds discussed Arts for LA’s Creative Jobs Collective, which aims to create 10,000 living-wage creative jobs in Los Angeles County by 2030, while Alejandro Gutierrez Chavez urged embedding artists in health, aging, and behavioral health systems as community problem-solvers. Roxanne Messina Kaptur spoke about the need to normalize arts careers and expand residency and school-based models. Senator Rubio, who joined later, shared her own arts and teaching background, supported arts access in schools and small theaters, and raised concerns about AI, asking how schools and educators can adapt. In the final panel, Rebecca Ratzkin reported on 26 statewide town halls with more than 1,100 attendees, which confirmed support for the plan but also highlighted needs for better information access, new financial models, stronger definitions and data, and more partnerships. Julie Baker of California for the Arts and California Arts Advocates urged sustained public funding, saying the plan is actionable only if the Legislature and administration provide resources, including increased California Arts Council funding and support for implementation. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational and concluded with calls for continued legislative and cross-agency collaboration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Apprentice. discussion? Senator Apprentice.
• Senator Apprentice for the zero.
• Senator Apprentice for the committee.<01:36:12.719> Senator<01:36:13.199> Apprentice.
• Senator Apprentice. Thank committee. Senator Apprentice.
• Apprentice, no. Senator Gray, yes. Apprentice, no. Senator Gray, yes.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I've actually been in the classroom with some of these apprentices.
• Uh, I've actually been in the classroom with some of these apprentices.
• Uh, I've actually been in the classroom with some of these apprentices.
• Some of these apprentices.
• Keys dollars to purchase their tools and equipment as an apprentice.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:35:54.639> knows Healthcare at as Senate Apprentice knows Healthcare at as Senate Apprentice
• And I maybe this is all coming back to Senator Berzel and Senator Apprentice.
• Seconded by Senator Apprentice. All those in favor say aye. Any opposition? No opposition. Consent.
• Senator Apprentice will take it out. Do we need to vote on consent? Right, yep.
• Apprentice yes all right so it's a to Apprentice yes all right so it's a to pass<02:02:37.639> with

Keywords: 1191, senate, all