Transcript Highlights:

• Again, the pay grades were at 20.
• So again, this is our 20 new grades.
• The new pay grade.
• And I'm just clarifying that if I'm at a grade 9, I would know how I'm going to move Up to a grade 10
• We want you in every single grade from pre-K through 12th grade, delivering age-appropriate prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think part of it is, how do you scale some of those trainings, how do you communicate with districts
• that, because, because you've got to reteach or you've got to make up assignments or you've got to grade
• something two weeks after you graded it for everybody else, and that adds more difficulty to the job
• with 80% of funding distributed as a fixed base amount and 20% based on pre-kindergarten through 12th grade
• Our child has one more week of first grade.

Transcript Highlights:

• any must-pass assessment under 1003.4282 or statute 1008.22 or an alternate assessment by the end of grade
• any must-pass assessment under 1003.4282 or statute 1008.22 or an alternate assessment by the end of grade
• We also housed the Florida Campaign for Grade Level Reading, and that is an initiative statewide that
• is we completed” “A 67-school-district policy review, and within this policy review we found large-scale
• stipends, which provide a $750 stipend to parents with a child or children in kindergarten through grade

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee met during Budget Week and first considered three member bills. House Bill 1111, by Rep. Valdes, would eliminate the option for students to leave high school with a certificate of completion instead of a standard diploma. Valdes said the bill was inspired by students who met credit requirements but could not pass a required assessment, and argued the certificate does not provide access to college, trade school, or military service. The bill passed unanimously, 15-0. CS for House Bill 127, by Rep. Kendall, would support students with disabilities by using existing Florida Department of Education curriculum to create micro-credentials and coordinating with the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities and OSHA on workplace safety. Goodwill, the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Florida PTA, and others supported the bill, which also passed unanimously, 15-0. House Bill 1367, by Rep. Booth, addressed chronic absenteeism by requiring statewide definitions and more uniform attendance reporting, along with rules for excused and unexcused absences and early identification of chronically absent students. Testimony emphasized inconsistent district policies and the need for clearer data and interventions. The bill passed 13-0, with some members noting concerns about implementation details and future rulemaking. The committee then took up PCB-P-PKB-2501, the proposed conforming bill for the fiscal year 2025-2026 Pre-K through 12 budget. The chair said the bill was designed to align statutes with budget and scholarship funding procedures, especially around the Florida Education Finance Program and scholarship payments. The PCB would require Florida student ID numbers for scholarship students, standardize cross-checking against FTE survey data, set quarterly payment dates, and use one data source for both reporting and withholding scholarship-related FFP amounts. It also would reduce certain add-on weights by 50%, remove the budget stabilization program, and repeal the educational enrollment stabilization program. Several members raised concerns that the add-on weight reductions could hurt career and technical education, AICE, IB, and CAPE programs, while the sponsor argued the data showed too much spending in an “other” category and that the reductions were aimed at aligning funding with actual program costs. Public testimony was mixed: some supported tighter accountability and clearer payment rules, while others warned against undermining expensive career-readiness programs. The PCB passed 11-2. After the conforming bill, the chair presented the proposed fiscal year 2025-2026 Pre-K through 12 budget, totaling just under $21 billion, about $400 million below the current year. She said the budget reflects a need to slow spending growth and includes $20 million for New Worlds Scholarship Accounts, $7 million for security grants at Jewish day schools and preschools, $14 million for public school transportation stipends, an overall FEFP increase of about $747.7 million, $100 million for teacher salary increases, and increases in the base student allocation and funds per student. The committee did not vote on the budget recommendation at this meeting; it was distributed for review and will move to the Budget Committee next week.

Transcript Highlights:

• I focused on development and the need for a large-scale housing development.
• So, scaling up to open town meeting being virtual, we're looking at 1,600 or 2,600 or maybe more.
• Well, I think the way we do that is that we scale up the program.
• Again, I believe it's a question of scale, and I believe later in this hearing you'll receive a panel
• Depending upon the scale of the meeting, Wayland pays anywhere from $20,000 to $40,000 to this service

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government held a hybrid hearing on bills related to land use, zoning, permitting, municipal governance, and homelessness. Early testimony focused on a home rule petition for Ipswich to remove a residency requirement for a town manager, with supporters saying it would broaden the applicant pool and help fill a vacant permanent manager position. Another panel backed legislation to change the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission’s governance so ratepayers in surrounding communities would have representation, arguing the current board structure leaves many users without a voice in rate-setting and capital decisions. Several housing and zoning bills drew testimony. Senator Keenan and the Home Builders and Remodelers Association supported a bill to toll the one-year period for acting on a variance while an appeal is pending, saying appeals should not consume the time needed to implement approved projects. Representative Murray and the Real Estate Bar Association also testified on broader zoning reforms, including changes to undersized lots, merger rules, hearing deadlines, appeals, and variance standards; they argued the proposals would reduce delay and uncertainty and help housing production. Committee members questioned whether shifting zoning appeals from de novo to closed-record review would limit new evidence, and the witnesses said the change would speed cases while preserving limited opportunities to supplement the record. The committee also heard testimony on bills to end the criminalization of homelessness. Representatives, advocates, and shelter organizations said local camping bans and fines are counterproductive, especially after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Grants Pass decision, and urged a statewide response centered on housing and public health rather than punishment. Other municipal bills included remote participation in open town meetings for Wayland and a statewide local option, Fairhaven and Mattapoisett charter changes, and Cambridge’s request to use automated parking enforcement and mail parking tickets. The hearing also included testimony supporting fairground zoning flexibility, a Shrewsbury solar siting bill, and an Inspector General bill clarifying county land disposition procedures by requiring written notice to DCAM and a defined response period. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh we use grade level appropriate of AI.
• We let them know, you know, as the grade level is, what the daily opportunities are.
• And on the the scaled score proficient.
• And so we had eighth grade, you for us.
• You know, the three grade levels growth.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:10:24.640> that good economies of scale that good economies of scale that traditionally<
• <00:12:56.079> solar half of our current utility scale solar half of our current utility scale
• we project huge amount of utility scale we project huge amount of utility scale solar<00:14:46.880
• about um on utility scale and rooftops. about um on utility scale and rooftops.
• And it's mostly scale.

Bills: SCR48, SCR28, SCR74, SCR62, SCR60, SCR89, SCR147, SCR179, SCR182, SCR59, SCR54, SCR180

Keywords: affordable housing, housing credits, perpetual credits, development, Hawaii Housing Finance, Vietnam veterans, commemorative medal, recognition, working group, Hawaii, no-bid contracts, emergency procurement, audit, state agencies, public funds, accountability, emergency response, disability access, 911 systems, life-saving measures

Transcript Highlights:

• We're making sure that our designs are scaled for different uses.
• Nearly 62% of our youth use alcohol and 41% have used an illicit substance by the 12th grade.
• that promotes the printing of 988 resources on the back of student IDs for any youth who is in sixth grade
• that promotes the printing of 988 resources on the back of student IDs for any youth who is in sixth grade
• identified as having a mental health issue and then are screened using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale

Keywords: 962, all

Summary: The meeting opened with approval of the April minutes and brief administrative updates, including notice that House Bill 5447 had passed both chambers of the General Assembly. Speakers reflected on the bill’s key provisions, which include eating-disorder working groups, an evidence-based screening requirement for school-based health centers beginning July 1, 2027, and a DSS-led feasibility process to explore an inpatient psychiatric facility for young adults ages 14 to 21. New staff introductions were also made for the Behavioral Health Advocate’s office and the TCB team. A major portion of the meeting focused on marketing and outreach for urgent crisis centers (UCCs) and the broader youth crisis continuum. Daydream Communications presented research showing low public awareness of UCCs but strong interest once families learn about them, with parents wanting specialized, compassionate care, clear expectations, insurance clarity, and bilingual support. United Way described its parallel work on a statewide crisis continuum marketing toolkit, using the SAMHSA framework of “someone to talk to, someone to respond, and somewhere safe to go,” and outlined plans to distribute consistent messaging through websites, social media, flyers, and community venues. Members emphasized coordinating with existing platforms and ensuring the marketing reflects the actual experience at UCC sites. DCF then presented on adolescent substance use services, citing data showing high need and low treatment access among Connecticut youth. The department reviewed its ASAM-based continuum, SBIRT efforts in outpatient psychiatric clinics, medication-assisted treatment access, and statewide services such as MST, MST emerging adults, STRIDE, multidimensional family therapy, youth recovery supports, and the AIM matching tool. A new young people peer support program was highlighted, with referrals accepted from families, hospitals, community providers, DCF, youth diversion, and the judicial branch. Questions addressed parent consent, peer matching, and whether the AIM tool could be linked through 211. The meeting concluded with an update from the Connecticut Suicide Advisory Board and its regional boards and grant-funded initiatives. Presenters reviewed the state suicide prevention plan, regional coalition work, postvention response, lethal means safety efforts, and the 988 capacity improvement grant that supports Connecticut’s centralized 988 contact center at United Way. They also shared youth suicide risk data from the Connecticut Youth Risk Behavior Survey, noting recent declines in reported suicidal ideation and attempts, and provided resources for training and materials. No formal votes were taken beyond the approval of the April minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, they're partnering with GE on a large-scale power generation turbines.
• uh conversion on these large scale uh conversion on these large scale systems<00:19:56.000> and
• In terms of explaining the project itself, way above my pay grade, so instead, Mr.
• so uh instead Mr chair if my pay grade so uh instead Mr chair if you're<00:25:25.640> comfortable
• The Proven model positioned to scale The Proven model Emirates<00:42:27.000> can<00:42:27.319

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate the opportunity for a grade rank of general, but I'm Colonel David West.
• So we're having our founding students finish up and graduate in the eighth grade this year.
• Seventh, eighth grade. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Roughly 30 in each class, and the first class, sixth grade, is a little bit larger. Thank you, Mr.
• So we're working at That lower grade level.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• William Gleason, he's in eighth grade in Pflugerville, and he's going to watch how we pass bills. here
• limits of the state and it's due... determination shall be final in all criminal cases of whatever grade
• and they're corrected and the student continues disruption and they're corrected in third or fourth grade
• President this amendment clarifies the student in second grade and below this means kiddos are about
• Second grade kids can be extremely violent and there's reasons for that, but this would intentionally

Keywords: legislation, Senate Joint Resolution 40, Senate Bill 871, constitutional amendment, emergency powers, governor authority, legislative oversight

Summary: The meeting focused on several crucial pieces of legislation, notably Senate Joint Resolution 40, which proposed a constitutional amendment to clarify the powers of the governor, the legislature, and the Supreme Court during emergencies. Senator Birdwell presented the resolution, emphasizing the need for legislative involvement during prolonged crises. It garnered broad support, passing with 29 votes in favor and only 1 against. Following this, Senate Bill 871, considered the enabling legislation, was also moved for discussion, with the aim of reinforcing the legislature's authority during emergencies while establishing clear guidelines for the governor's powers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we'll take up tab 5, CS for SB 1618 on pre-kindergarten through grade 12 education, by Senator
• the VPK program for good cause and re-enroll in another VPK program, repeal the Council for Early Grade
• from BPK program for good cause and re-enroll in another VPK program, repeal the council for early grade
• Then the next question is: what happens if there is a larger scale—I don't know.
• Then the next question is: what happens if there is a larger scale finding of fraud, let's say fraud

Summary: The committee first took up CS for CS for CS for SB 462 on transportation. A substitute amendment was adopted that would require counties receiving transportation surtax proceeds to report how the money is used to the Office of Economic and Demographic Research, prohibit certain airport fees tied to collegiate aviation flight training, create a Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority pilot program, and dedicate $10 million annually for a traffic signal modernization program. The amendment also removed several provisions from the bill, including a sales-tax transfer to the State Transportation Trust Fund, a bid-protest-related contracting requirement, and repeal of the Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Council. A late-filed amendment was tabled, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then heard CS for CS for CS for SB 628, Lucy’s Law, which strengthens boating safety penalties for leaving the scene of a vessel accident and reckless operation. After the sponsor withdrew a pending amendment, the committee heard emotional testimony from Lucy’s parents and others in support, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee next considered CS for CS for SB 700, the Florida Farm Bill, under a strike-all amendment. The bill’s major provisions included removing non-purity additives from public water systems, requiring clearer labeling for meat, milk, poultry, and eggs, criminalizing drone harassment over farmland, updating agriculture disaster recovery programs, creating an honest services registry for charities tied to countries of concern, expanding FFA-related scholarships and school infrastructure, and allowing the state to repurchase certain former agricultural lands converted to solar fields. Testimony included strong support from agriculture and related groups, opposition from the Florida Bankers Association over a private right of action related to financial discrimination, and criticism from speakers opposed to fluoride removal. The bill was amended and then reported favorably despite some opposition. The committee also reported favorably SB 796, which authorizes DEP general permits for distributed wastewater treatment systems to replace failing septic tanks. The committee then took up a large strike-all for CS for SB 1618, a K-20 education package. The amendment combined provisions on VPK flexibility, early grade success, agriculture education, financial literacy, reading intervention, teacher assignment transparency, restrictions on spending public funds for political or social activism, emergency opioid antagonists, corporal punishment consent, teacher certification pathways, and other higher-education and workforce items from SB 1624, including guardrails for certain private religious postsecondary institutions. Members questioned the new prohibition on using public funds for political or social activism, with the sponsor saying it was intended to keep public schools from being a battleground for ideology; Equality Florida and the ACLU opposed that section. The amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee began extensive debate on CS for SB 7016, a major initiative-petition reform bill. The sponsors said the bill responds to fraud and abuse documented in a large Office of Election Crimes and Security report and would impose tighter rules on petition circulators, including Florida residency and U.S. citizenship requirements, training, shorter submission deadlines, stronger penalties, new identification requirements on petitions, and a 25% invalid-signature trigger for investigations by election-crimes officials. Senators raised numerous questions about due process, public records, penalties, the treatment of volunteers and former felons, the verification process, and the practical effect of the new deadlines and thresholds. The discussion was ongoing when the transcript ended, and no final vote on SB 7016 is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• the VPK program for good cause and re-enroll in another VPK program, repeal the Council for Early Grade
• from BPK program for good cause and re-enroll in another VPK program, repeal the council for early grade
• of how the district prioritized the assignment of highly effective teachers to kindergarten through grade
• Then the next question is, what happens if there is a larger scale—I don't know.
• Then the next question is, what happens if there is a larger scale finding of fraud, let's say fraud

Summary: The committee first took up CS for CS for CS for SB 462 on transportation, adopting a substitute amendment that would require counties receiving transportation surtax proceeds to report how the money is used, prohibit certain airport fees tied to collegiate flight training, create a Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority pilot program, and fund a traffic signal modernization program with $10 million annually from the State Transportation Trust Fund. The amendment also removed several provisions from the bill, including a sales tax transfer to the trust fund, a bid protest-related contracting requirement, and repeal of the Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Council. A late-filed amendment was tabled, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then heard CS for CS for SB 628, “Lucy's Law,” on boating safety, which would strengthen penalties for leaving the scene of a vessel accident and reckless vessel operation. Lucy’s parents gave emotional testimony in support, describing the fatal 2022 boating crash and urging stronger accountability. The sponsor withdrew pending amendments, and the bill was reported favorably. CS for CS for SB 700, the Florida Farm Bill, was next; the strike-all amendment covered a broad range of agriculture-related changes, including water fluoridation restrictions, labeling rules, drone restrictions over farmland, disaster recovery programs, an honest services registry, FFA-related provisions, and agricultural land preservation. Testimony included support from agricultural and gun-rights groups, opposition from banking, dental, and local-government advocates, and a lengthy public debate over fluoridation and financial discrimination. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. SB 796 on general permits for distributed wastewater treatment systems was reported favorably with little debate. The committee then took up CS for SB 1618 on K-12 education, adopting a delete-all amendment that combined a wide range of education provisions, including VPK flexibility, agriculture education, financial literacy, reading intervention requirements, teacher assignment reporting, restrictions on spending public funds on political or social activism, postsecondary and workforce-related changes, and other school and college system updates. Several speakers opposed the activism-related funding restriction, while the sponsor said the bill was intended to keep publicly funded schools focused on education; the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered SB 7016 on initiative petitions, adopting a strike-all amendment that would sharply tighten petition circulation rules and increase penalties. The proposal would require circulators to be Florida residents and U.S. citizens, impose training and registration requirements, shorten petition submission deadlines, require more identifying information on petition forms, limit sponsors to one amendment per election cycle, and create new enforcement and investigation triggers, including a 25% invalid-signature threshold. Sponsors argued the changes were needed to address fraud and protect the integrity of constitutional amendment petitions, while senators raised concerns about due process, public-records issues, burdens on volunteers, and the impact on voters and sponsors. The bill was not reported in the portion provided, and the discussion remained ongoing at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• students work through those choices but a student can go on to my Texas future as early as the sixth grade
• Why does it start in eighth grade rather than sixth grade?
• E-courses specifically down to seventh grade. So for sure it begins before eighth.
• at where those start, but some of it does, in fact, begin to... to start much earlier than eighth grade
• years from now, not two years from now. component and the sooner we can get it to them in age and grade

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2008, I started the 10th grade at Rio Rancho High School.
• It would create a new minimum education requirement of a 3.0 out of a 4.0 scale GPA.
• Chair, Representative, yes, they would still be eligible if they fail the class and maintain a 3.0 grade
• A teacher says, 'Come here, I want to hug you because you got a good grade.'
• Hugging somebody too long when they got a good grade could then draw some sort of weird gray line with

Transcript Highlights:

• of completion just acknowledges that the student has been in the schools from kindergarten to 12th grade
• Is there a sliding scale of time that you're going to have this implemented?
• And I'll remind the committee that the graduation requirements for high school are to be on a 10th grade
• Temple representative Temple's point, something he's just said, is this a goal for people in ninth grade
• This bill adds cursive writing to the statutorily required instruction for students in grades 2 through

Summary: The Student Academic Success Subcommittee met with a quorum and heard four bills, all of which were reported favorably by unanimous votes. The chair opened with remarks about student performance and assessment, then the committee took up House Bill 1111 by Rep. Valdes, which would eliminate the certificate of completion for students who do not meet standard high school graduation requirements. Supporters argued the certificate is a meaningless “participation trophy” that can mislead students and families, while the sponsor said students would instead be pushed toward additional support, concordance testing, or other pathways to a standard diploma. Members raised questions about effects on ESE students, timing, and alternative pathways; the bill passed 17-0. The committee next approved House Bill 921 by Rep. Overdorf, which adds cursive writing instruction for grades 2 through 5 and defines cursive proficiency. The sponsor and supporters said cursive has historical, cognitive, and fine-motor benefits and helps students read signatures and historical documents. The bill also passed 17-0. After a brief recognition of visiting students, the committee heard House Bill 423 by Rep. Bartleman, which requires private schools participating in the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program to give parents written notice about which services in an IEP, 504 plan, ELL plan, or similar plan will be honored. Supporters framed it as a transparency and consumer-protection measure for families, especially those with children with disabilities; the sponsor emphasized it does not require private schools to provide specific services, only to disclose them. The bill passed 17-0. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 251 by Rep. Tendrich, which would recognize January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida. The sponsor and public witnesses described rising antisemitism, the importance of remembrance, and the need for education about the Holocaust. Members from both parties shared personal reflections and support, and a survivor’s letter was read into the record. The bill passed 16-0. At the end of the meeting, the chair noted the committee had gone four-for-four on unanimous support and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're not at grade level. They're above grade level. So that's a pretty good score.
• If you're at proficient, you're at grade level. And now we look at, we've got 40, 50...
• If you're at proficient, you're at grade level.
• Obviously, a junior high math teacher would be a little more training than a third grade teacher, so
• But even if they, you know, with their license required them to move to different grade levels, this

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 2271, which would formally place adult residential facilities in code and rebase their Medicaid reimbursement rates. Sponsor Chairman Ruby and HHS staff explained that these facilities, often serving people with dementia or acquired brain injury, are reimbursed at a much lower rate than skilled nursing care and help reduce bottlenecks in higher-level facilities. Members questioned how the program differs from basic care and nursing facility memory care, and the bill was referred to the HR section for deeper review before possible action on Monday. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2396, as amended, which would authorize an independent third-party performance audit of the Department of Commerce and the North Dakota Development Fund, with findings shared with the state auditor. Sponsors said the proposal was prompted by concerns raised in testimony and that a private audit could begin faster than a state audit. The committee adopted an amendment adding an emergency clause and directing the report to the Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee, then passed the bill 20-0 with 3 absent. Next, Representative Clemine presented Senate Bills 2226, 2036, and 2037. SB 2226 would presume an incarcerated person indigent at initial appearance so counsel can be provided at that critical stage; the commission said the appropriation would fund contract attorney hours, and the bill was sent to HR for further review. SB 2036 would create procedures for determining juvenile fitness to proceed in delinquency cases, with a $500,000 appropriation for mental health evaluations, and SB 2037 would begin a juvenile criminal code framework and include a $300,000 appropriation for fitness-to-proceed evaluations; both were also referred to HR, with some concern raised about staffing and overlapping functions. After a short break, the committee heard education-related appropriations bills. SB 2234 would replace expired ESSER funding for Choice Ready grants, but members noted the program was not included in the K-12 budget and sent it to E&E for comparison with existing appropriations. SB 2286, a University of North Dakota request for a new nursing school facility, drew extensive discussion about the age and condition of the current building and the size and scope of the project; the committee ultimately adopted a do-not-pass motion 22-0. SB 2213, the “science of mathematics” bill modeled on the science of reading initiative, would fund math professional development and implementation; it was also referred to E&E for further review. The committee then briefly passed the Racing Commission budget, SB 2023, and began discussion of the Trust Lands budget, SB 2013, including a proposed retention increase for investment-related positions.

Transcript Highlights:

• at this and chat with some people that have actually doing something like this and make it a small scale
• <00:14:29.040> and this and make it a small scale and this and make it a small scale and figure
• James, Minnesota, where I'm an eighth and 10th grade health education teacher.
• <00:49:09.520> health<00:49:09.760> education eighth and 10th grade health education
• teacher and I drew the was a sixth grade teacher and I drew the short<01:15:07.840> straw<01:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are not T-Cup licensed and market products as medical grade.
• Delta-10 and synthetically derived cannabinoids because it is incredibly cheap to manufacture these at scale
• So as the program scales, pricing... ...will come down even further than where it is today.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not uniform across districts, it's not uniform across schools, and it's not uniform across grade
• Chairman, just to provide one last bit of context in terms of the scale of the issue, those enrollment
• So that's, I think, just provides some context regarding the scale of the issue that we're currently
• are finally realizing that their kids need to be able to read before they're passed out of the third grade

Transcript Highlights:

• grade level? grade level?
• <00:42:52.400> I were not reading at grade level. I were not reading at grade level.
• When I was in first grade, I never got my spelling words right.
• She is now reading at nearly a sixth-grade reading level. was in first grade, I never got my was in first
• grade reading level. grade reading level.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all