Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing no questions, is there public testimony?
• No public testimony—well, there is public testimony, I apologize. All right, Karen Marillo.
• We do have public testimony.
• Seeing no questions, there is public testimony.
• Jalea Wilder, Florida Children's Initiative, waves in support. Seeing no further public testimony.

Summary: The Health Care Budget Subcommittee met to hear three member bills before turning to budget discussion. First, the committee considered HB 1295 on memory care, which would set baseline operating standards for memory care providers and facilities, clarify resident contract requirements, and restrict facilities from advertising themselves as memory care providers unless they meet the bill’s criteria. AARP, the Alzheimer’s Association, and the Florida Senior Living Association supported the measure, and it was reported favorably with no debate. The committee then heard HB 1235, which would authorize Florida to join the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact. Representative Conerly and a representative of the Florida Society for Respiratory Care said the compact would improve workforce flexibility and patient access while preserving state oversight and using licensure fees rather than taxpayer dollars. The bill received favorable testimony and was reported favorably. Next, HB 933 was presented by Representative Rosenwald to add two new children’s initiative sites, one in Bay County and one in Broward County, expanding a program that coordinates education, health care, employment, and housing supports for children in disadvantaged communities. The bill had support from Florida Children’s Initiative and was also reported favorably. After the bill presentations, members were told the agenda would move to budget discussion, and the chair noted that budget recommendations had been submitted to Chair McClure. With no further business, Representative Redondo moved to recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lastly, the last group is the Florida State Fire Service. That's primarily the...
• The last group is the Florida State Fire Service.
• First, it will be the Florida State Fire Service Marshals, our association, and Mark Floyd and others
• He's a representative of the Florida State Fire Service Association, Local S-20 of the International
• I'm appearing before you today on behalf of the Florida State Fire Service Association.

Summary: The Joint Select Committee on Collective Bargaining met for an informational public hearing on several state employee bargaining units at impasse. The Department of Management Services outlined negotiations for the FDLE special agents, security services/correctional officers, sworn law enforcement officers, Florida Highway Patrol troopers, and Florida State Fire Service units. Across the units, the state said most contract articles had been resolved, with remaining disputes centered mainly on wages, hours of work, grievance language, safety, grooming, travel, and other housekeeping items. The state repeatedly emphasized proposed 2% competitive pay increases plus specialty or special pay increases in some units, insurance held harmless with no added employee cost, and its desire to keep current scheduling practices and remove outdated grievance language referencing the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. No votes were taken. Representatives for the Florida State Fire Service Association argued that firefighters are being asked to perform work far outside their job descriptions, including major construction, and said the state’s work-schedule and on-call practices unfairly avoid overtime and underpay firefighters. They also sought higher on-call compensation, a stronger wage plan with incentives and certification-based increases, restoration of a pay differential for firefighter-EMTs, and added PPE, decontamination, and cancer-prevention protections. The PBA’s Florida Highway Patrol unit said troopers need a larger career development plan, veteran stipends, updated grooming/tattoo rules, safer and newer vehicles, and better pay to address turnover. The PBA’s law enforcement unit focused on vehicle safety, performance evaluation language to prevent case-presentation quotas, and a $7,000 across-the-board raise, while disputing whether certain articles were timely opened. The security services unit said correctional officers, probation officers, and ISS officers need an $8-per-hour starting pay increase, retention bonuses, special pay for death row and close-management assignments, and overtime pay for lieutenants and captains who currently receive comp time and sometimes work beyond their limits. The committee heard the presentations, asked a brief question about correctional officers’ overtime, accepted written materials from the FOP special agent unit, and adjourned without action.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then, of course, currently we have the Florida Digital Service.
• So Florida Digital Service will dissolve as of June 2026.
• Florida Digital Service will be tasked with documenting the agency's current IT environments, transitioning
• You know, we have, right now there's 70 FTEs at Florida Digital Service.
• Many of the ills with IT procurements in the state of Florida—IT procurements in Florida are broken.

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met with a quorum present and considered three items. First, it heard and passed SB 158, which eliminates cost-sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations under the state employee health plan. Senator Berman described the bill as a way to remove financial barriers to early breast cancer detection, and several senators spoke in strong support, emphasizing the importance of follow-up screening and the life- and cost-saving value of early diagnosis. The bill was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then took up SPB 7024, a committee bill on state planning and budgeting. Senator Brodeur explained that the proposal modernizes and simplifies the state agency long-range planning process by focusing on key data points, removing stale measures, and improving how plans are presented to the Legislature. Senator Berman supported the bill, highlighting new provisions on implementation status and budget consequences if enacted laws are not carried out. The committee voted to submit the proposal as a committee bill and reported it favorably. Finally, the committee considered SPB 7026, a major overhaul of state information technology governance. Senator Harrell described a transition from the current Florida Digital Service structure to a new cabinet-level Agency for State Systems and Enterprise Technology (ASSET), with enterprise-wide standards, interoperability, procurement oversight, cybersecurity coordination, technical debt tracking, a testing laboratory, workforce development, and annual IT expenditure reporting. Members raised questions about procurement authority, judicial branch inclusion, existing contracts, cybersecurity, and staffing; Harrell said agencies would retain final procurement decisions but would have to follow enterprise standards, the courts were not included, existing contracts would continue, and the bill would add significant state IT staffing. Several amendments were adopted, including changes on CIO selection conflicts, removal of the Northwest Regional Data Center from a definition, reporting on deviations from standards, and technical updates related to the data center and workforce positions. Public testimony strongly supported the bill as a needed modernization of Florida’s fragmented IT system. The committee then reported SPB 7026 favorably as a committee bill. The meeting adjourned after members recorded their votes on the three items.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is public testimony. Samuel Wagner, Florida League of Cities, waives in support.
• Public schools must accept all students, provide mandated services, follow open records laws, and answer
• Public School.
• here in Florida.
• “And at the end of the day, every child in the state of Florida deserves a chance at a public education

Summary: The Education Administration Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered several education-related bills. CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity was presented as a measure to codify an existing grant program that has helped secure more than 200 local governments, especially rural and fiscally constrained ones; Florida League of Cities supported it, and it passed 15-0. PCS/HB 371 on patriotic displays at public schools would require, subject to appropriation, display of portraits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in school common areas for America’s 250th anniversary; one opponent argued it would create complaint-driven enforcement and pressure educators, but the sponsor said the PCS narrowed the original classroom requirement, and the bill passed 16-0. PCS/HB 833 on private school facilities would deem small private schools of 150 students or fewer a permitted use in commercial and mixed-use zoning districts and allow use of certain existing buildings if fire and occupancy standards are met. Supporters said it would reduce local red tape and expand school choice, while opponents warned it would divert public resources and weaken public education; several members raised concerns about local traffic and safety authority. The sponsor said she was open to further amendments, and the bill passed 13-3. PCS/HB 1147 on school district unimproved real property would require districts to submit annual inventories of vacant, unimproved land to the Department of Education for transparency and planning; some members and a Monroe County school board member questioned the need for a state registry, while supporters said it would improve data and accountability. The bill passed 12-3. The committee then considered HB 615 on individualized education plans (IEPs), which would strengthen parent notification and access to service logs, require individualized orientation for newly eligible students, and standardize district service logs. An amendment removed notification requirements when a missed service was due to student absence, and it was adopted. The bill drew emotional testimony from a student and parent describing missed accommodations, along with support from Disability Rights Florida and several members who emphasized parent partnership and accountability; one ESE teacher said the bill was a good start but more staffing and support are needed. The bill passed unanimously 15-0, and the meeting adjourned after all agenda items were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Eladio Jose Armesto from Miami, Florida. I represent the Florida Democratic League.
• is in need of services.
• that's court-ordered services or official formal case management services.
• That's court-ordered services or official formal case management services.
• We had no public comment today. I would be very interested in public comment from our CBCs.

Committee: Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And OIG reviews those fraud referrals and forwards them to the Florida Department of Financial Services
• I would say, you know, Florida does a lot of things right.
• So thank you for living in the great state of Florida.
• I would say, you know, Florida does a lot of things, right?
• Florida, it just knocks it out of the park.

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and first heard House Bill 731, which would address coach and extracurricular sponsor compensation and change how student-athlete transfer eligibility is determined. The bill would allow local school boards to adopt policies letting booster clubs or similar associations support coaches and activity sponsors, and it would let superintendents treat certain coaches and athletic leaders as administrative personnel for compensation purposes. It would also shift eligibility decisions for transferred student-athletes to the governing athletic association and require clearer bylaws and timelines for those determinations. Members raised questions about booster club oversight, pay equity, the new athletic administrator language, and safeguards against abuse or unequal treatment, while supporters argued the bill would help retain coaches and better support student athletics. The bill was debated and then reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then received presentations from the Department of Education’s Division of Early Learning and the Florida Association of Early Learning Coalitions on school readiness fraud prevention and mitigation. Speakers explained that Florida’s school readiness program pays providers based on verified attendance rather than enrollment, requires daily parent sign-in/sign-out records, and uses multiple layers of oversight including coalition anti-fraud plans, annual audits, programmatic monitoring, DCF inspections, and referrals to state fraud investigators when needed. They emphasized that Florida delayed implementation of a federal rule that would have required prospective enrollment-based payments, and said the state’s current system makes fraud difficult. Members asked about military and grandparent guardianship situations, audit findings, and the number of fraud referrals; presenters said fraud cases are relatively limited and that the existing controls and public enforcement act as deterrents. The meeting ended after members thanked the presenters and the committee adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Postal Service.
• Florida.
• Orange County Public Schools, Marquise McMiller, Orange County Public Schools.
• Among their statutorily prescribed duties, county tax collectors, service, Florida Department of Highway
• Among their statutorily prescribed duties, county tax collectors, service, Florida Department of Highway

Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy met with a quorum present and took up a full agenda of bills, beginning with agency and records measures from Senator Massullo. SB 488, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles agency package, would update reporting thresholds for crashes, expand DHSMV’s use of email for certain transactions, and align tank vehicle definitions with federal rules; it was reported favorably. Its companion, SB 490, creates a public records exemption for certain email records and also passed favorably. The committee also approved SB 892, revising enhanced sentencing procedures for repeat offenders, and SB 124, which cleans up outdated Florida Virtual School language without changing day-to-day operations. Later, SB 584 on commercial driving schools, SB 656 codifying the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and related grant program, and SB 816 establishing the University of Florida Diabetes Institute in statute all passed favorably as well. The most extensive debate centered on SB 216, which would tighten reemployment assistance eligibility by adding job-search requirements, interview attendance rules, identity and immigration verification every two weeks, and fraud-reporting duties for the Department of Commerce. Senator McLean argued the bill targets fraud and improves program integrity, while opponents and several members raised concerns about fiscal impact, administrative burden, and reduced access for unemployed workers, especially seniors and rural residents. Dr. Rich Templin of the Florida AFL-CIO testified against the bill, warning it could sharply reduce recipiency and worsen an already restrictive system. Despite opposition, the bill was reported favorably on a divided roll call. The committee also approved CS/SB 382 on electric bicycles, which requires riders to yield to pedestrians on shared pathways, sound an audible signal before passing, and limits speed near pedestrians; it also creates a task force to study further regulation. Michelle Lynch, whose son was killed in an e-scooter crash, testified in support of broader safety rules and urged the committee to add e-scooters back into the bill. Several members echoed concerns about e-scooter safety and asked for further work, but the bill advanced favorably. At the end of the meeting, members requested to be recorded on specific tabs, and the committee adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have public testimony.
• We do have public testimony. We have Aaron Di Petri family, Florida family voice waives in support.
• Seeing no more public testimony members.
• We do have public testimony.
• Lorena Holley, Florida, retail federation, waves in support of that is all for public testimony members

Transcript Highlights:

• And the commission is meeting.
• Regulation Commission, which regulates us.
• I've explained it that you can buy this subscription to the service that provides you a cheaper service
• If anyone would like to make a public comment Okay.
• We appreciate all of the public participation that we've had.

Committee: House Water & Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• THESE ARE THE CRITICAL PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE PUBLIC ACCESS NOT PRIVATE LAND THE TYPE OF ASSISTANCE.
• PUBLIC ASSISTANCE THINK PUBLIC PROPERTY. PUBLIC USE, STATE PARKS, CAMPGROUNDS.
• THOSE ARE ELIGIBLE FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.
• SINCE 1995 FLORIDA HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS TOWARD IMPROVING THE SAFETY AND AVAILABILITY OF PUBLIC
• HERE IN FLORIDA WE HAVE A LARGE PRESENCE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lastly, the last group is the Florida State Fire Service.
• First, it will be the Florida State Fire Service Marshals, our association, and Mark Floyd and others
• He's a representative of the Florida State Fire Service Association, Local S-20 of the International
• I'm appearing before you today on behalf of the Florida State Fire Service Association.
• This means that these firefighter EMTs who provide services at Florida State Hospital and to the surrounding

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Select Committee on Collective Bargaining met to hear informational presentations on several state employee bargaining units at impasse. The Department of Management Services outlined the status of negotiations for FDLE special agents, correctional/security services, sworn law enforcement officers, Florida Highway Patrol troopers, and Florida State Fire Service employees. In each case, most contract articles had been resolved, but key disputes remained over wages and several non-economic provisions such as hours of work, grievance language, safety, grooming, seniority, equipment, travel, and on-call pay. DMS emphasized that the state had offered competitive pay increases, special pay, recruitment/retention funds in some units, and that insurance costs would remain unchanged for employees. Representatives for the Florida State Fire Service Association argued that the state was requiring firefighters to perform work far outside their job descriptions, including major construction and renovation, and that wildland firefighters were being undercompensated for long hours, on-call duty, and callback work. They also pressed for higher wages, an incentive-based pay plan, additional compensation for firefighter-EMTs, more protective clothing, and stronger decontamination and cancer-prevention measures. The Police Benevolent Association’s Florida Highway Patrol unit sought a larger career development plan, veteran stipends, broader grooming/tattoo allowances, improved vehicle safety, and more pay, while the law enforcement unit raised concerns about vehicle safety, performance evaluation quotas, and a $7,000 across-the-board raise. The security services unit representing correctional officers, probation officers, and ISS officers focused on a substantial wage increase, retention pay, special pay for death row and close management assignments, and overtime treatment for lieutenants and captains. Committee members asked only a few clarifying questions, including whether correctional officers receive overtime, which DMS confirmed they do. No votes were taken and no formal action was scheduled; the meeting was expressly for information only. The committee thanked the presenters, noted that the materials and testimony would be taken under advisement, and adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• service.
• The Florida Senate congratulates and expresses its appreciation to the YMCA for 175 years of service
• Welcome to the Florida Senate, the YMCA. Welcome to the Florida Senate. INCA.
• Welcome to the Florida Senate, the YMCA. Welcome to the Florida Senate. INCA.
• Relating to the Florida Statutes.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and introductions recognizing the YMCA’s 175th anniversary, the Senate’s doctor of the day, and visiting guests. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar after confirming there were no committee reports, executive messages, House messages, or other pending motions. The Senate passed several bills unanimously: SB 100, adopting the 2026 Florida Statutes and the 2025 session laws; SB 102, deleting statutory provisions that had already been repealed or expired; and SB 104, the general reviser’s bill, which removes obsolete language, updates cross-references, and corrects drafting errors. Senators briefly joked during debate on SB 104, but there was no substantive opposition. The Senate also passed SB 320 on administrative efficiency in public schools, which reduces district-level requirements, expands teacher apprenticeship and certification flexibility, streamlines assessment and budgeting rules, and adjusts VPK oversight and facility planning requirements. The chamber also approved SB 7010, allowing state and local deferred compensation plans to offer Roth post-tax contributions in addition to pre-tax options. In addition, SB 1720 on public school personnel compensation was withdrawn from further consideration. After passage of the day’s bills, the Senate adopted a motion to immediately certify the passed bills to the House, then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, is there public testimony? There's none.
• So why do we need to do this in Florida today?
• This information is free to the general public.
• Florida is the only leading state without a state-funded public awareness campaign.
• Seeing no questions, we have public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we will take up tab 4, a presentation on Florida dairy farms by Florida farmers Jacob Larson and
• Dairy farmer advocates such as Florida Farm Bureau and United Dairy Farmers of Florida allow us to have
• The people are in Florida. The consumers are in Florida.
• How can we incentivize fluid processing plants in the state of Florida to be here for Florida-produced
• milk for the Florida consumers?

Committee: Senate Agriculture

Summary: The Committee on Agriculture convened, took roll, and heard Senate Bill 58 by Senator Harrow, which would create regulation for companion animal cremation. Harrow described a case involving mishandled pet remains and said the bill would require written service descriptions, prohibit false or misleading statements, require certification with returned remains, authorize Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services rulemaking, and impose civil penalties for violations. With no questions or public opposition, the committee voted the bill favorably. The committee then heard presentations on robotics in agriculture and aquaculture. Dr. Nathan Boyd of UF/IFAS discussed the rapid growth of agricultural robotics, including AI-driven weed detection, targeted spraying, autonomous tractors, and harvesting technology, emphasizing reduced pesticide use, lower input costs, and labor-saving automation. Dr. Nicole Kirchoff of Live Advantage Bait and Adrian Johnson of the Florida Shellfish Aquaculture Association highlighted aquaculture’s economic and environmental value, Florida’s strong position in the industry, and challenges including hurricane losses, lack of insurance, land-use instability, capital access, and water quality. They urged support for working waterfronts, risk mitigation, and policies to help the sector commercialize and expand. The committee also heard from dairy producers Kevin Lusher and Jacob Larson. Lusher described his family’s dairy and artisan cheese business, noting reliance on USDA grants, rising costs, labor shortages, and regulatory burdens, and asked for more grant support, marketing for Fresh From Florida products, and permanent funding for Farmers Feeding Florida. Larson discussed the broader dairy market, declining herd sizes due to efficiency gains, high production costs in Florida, and competition from out-of-state processing, suggesting incentives for local processing and supply management. Finally, FDOT Chief Planner Wayway Schen presented on arterial and local road funding programs, including ART, ARTW, SCOP, SCRAP, CIGP, and TRIP, and said rural road needs remain significant, with more than $16 billion in unfunded or partially funded project needs. The committee adjourned after brief discussion and thanks to the presenters.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to outstanding public service.
• . and Florida being service above self. and Florida being the<02:53:08.319><c> third</c><02:53:08.560
• </c><02:59:55.359><c> his</c> public service and he respected his public service and he respected his
• He guided him here in public service.
• </c><03:10:18.479><c> service</c><03:10:18.800><c> was</c> never forgot that public service was never

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, January 9, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the service.
• Look at Florida.
• Seeing none, we do have public testimony.
• Thank you for sharing in public comment.
• That's really difficult on most Florida families.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met to hear the governor’s fiscal year 2026-27 budget recommendations for education from the Office of Policy and Budget and the Department of Education. Shelby Salmons and Commissioner Stasi Kamoutsis outlined the governor’s proposed $117.4 billion state budget, including about $32.5 billion for education, with major emphasis on public schools and early learning. The presentation highlighted a $30.6 billion K-12 budget, a $486 million VPK program, continued funding for VPK Summer Bridge, TEACH, HIPPY, and Help Me Grow, as well as increases for teacher pay, base student allocation, mental health, school safety, civics education, and school hardening initiatives. The commissioner also cited a 92.2% statewide graduation rate and Florida’s national rankings in education and education freedom. Senators used the question period to raise concerns about counselor staffing, mental health services, school closures, school choice oversight, the Guardian Program, data reporting, and school capacity. Senator Jones asked about counselor ratios, school closures in historically Black communities, and whether school choice schools are properly monitored for safety and instructional quality. Senator Osgood argued that mental health funding should support more clinical services on campuses, not just academic counselors, and Senator Bradley asked whether the centralized data repository includes scholarship students. Senator Gates praised the civics and debate funding and asked for more detail on the Guardian Program’s performance; the commissioner said 53 of 67 districts participate and described it as a successful safety option with sheriffs approving training. Senators Simon and Osgood also pressed for better use of the FISH report and more accurate space data to understand school capacity and right-sizing. During public testimony, Pinellas County School Board member Laura Hine said her district is an A-rated district with no D or F schools, but spends far more on safety and mental health than it receives in state categorical funding. She said Florida’s mental health staffing ratio is about one counselor per 2,203 students, compared with a recommended one per 1,106, and urged the committee to consider funding full-day VPK statewide, estimating it would cost about $375 million. Committee members followed up on her comments about local flexibility and whether districts can shift funds to meet needs. The meeting ended after members thanked DOE and executive branch staff for the presentation, and the committee adjourned without taking any substantive vote on legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> commission and the good work they do. commission and the good work they do.
• to be trained and to provide better services to the general public.
• So, um, apart from what I do with peer counseling services in this commission, I also have a lot of oversight
• </c> commission or the DOJ. commission or the DOJ.
• </c> the past TCO reports are public. the past TCO reports are public.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> their services. their services.
• Service Commission and alters the requirements of the specified deactivation policy. new Americans,
• <00:44:55.600><c> Service</c><00:44:56.080><c> Commission</c><00:44:57.120><c> and</c><00:44:57.400><
• c> alters</c><00:44:57.880><c> the</c> Public Service Commission and alters the Public Service Commission
• </c> sort of public safety, public health. sort of public safety, public health.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SINCE 2011, FLORIDA HAS DELIVERED AND COMMUNITY SERVICE TO MEDICAID RECIPIENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND
• , ALONG WITH THE ADDITIONAL MEDICAL AND LONG-TERM CARE SERVICES PROVIDED UNDER THE FLORIDA PROGRAM.
• CARE SERVICES AND ADULT COMPANION SERVICES AND SELECTED NURSING SERVICES.
• ARE PUBLIC STAKEHOLDERS, FLORIDA ARS A MINISTER MIDDLE HELPING US COMMUNICATE AND PUSH MATERIALS OUT
• AND BECAUSE OF THE WAY FLORIDA GETS ITS VENDORS TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES, THAT IS THEY RUN A COMPETITIVE

Transcript Highlights:

• the service.
• Seeing none, we do have public testimony.
• Thank you for sharing in public comment.
• That's really difficult on most Florida families.
• That's really difficult on most Florida families.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education received a presentation from the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget and the Department of Education on the Governor’s fiscal year 2026-27 education budget. Shelby Salmons outlined the overall budget framework, and Commissioner Stasi Kamoutsis highlighted major education investments, including $486 million for VPK, $30.6 billion for K-12 education, a $761.1 million increase in FEFP funding, the highest per-student funding level to date, and $201 million more for teacher pay flexibility. The presentation also emphasized school safety, mental health, civics education, and the Guardian Program, along with continued funding for TEACH, HIPPY, Help Me Grow, and civics debate and literacy initiatives. Members asked about how the mental health allocation would be used, counselor staffing ratios, school closures and whether the department intervenes, oversight of school choice and voucher-funded schools, and the Guardian Program’s pay structure and effectiveness. Senators also raised concerns about the FISH school capacity report, data collection, teacher pay, professional development, AI and tutoring technology, and whether the budget adequately supports mental health services and school safety. The Commissioner said many funding decisions are left to districts, that the department stands ready to assist, and that the Guardian Program has been successful and expanded over time. During public testimony, Pinellas County School Board member Laura Hine said her district spends far more on safety and mental health than it receives in state categorical funding, and urged the committee to consider full-day VPK funding, arguing it has improved third-grade reading outcomes in Pinellas. Senators followed up on district flexibility and local spending choices. The committee took no substantive vote on the budget presentation and adjourned after thanking the department for its recommendations and partnership.