Video & Transcript Research : 'continuation'
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HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Special Committee on Red Hill Info Briefing - Thu Oct 2, 2025 @ 10:00 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- 09.279>
within That continued monitoring water within That continued monitoring water within the - We also continue to do our own community engagement.
- The DOH and EPA continues to back.
- about continued funding? about continued funding?
- <01:05:06.400>
to into the stream, we should continue to into the stream, we should continue
Summary:
The House Special Committee on Red Hill received an update from the Hawaii Department of Health and EPA Region 9 on regulatory oversight of the Red Hill facility, the Navy drinking water system, and ongoing environmental investigation and cleanup. The agencies reviewed the authorities governing the work, including DOH’s emergency orders, EPA’s 2023 administrative consent order, and the older 2015 agreement, and explained that the newer framework is being used for most current oversight because it includes closure, remediation, drinking water protections, and stronger community engagement requirements, even though some requirements overlap.
EPA and DOH reported major milestones and current work. Defueling was completed in March 2024, with about 104 million gallons removed, and the agencies said this eliminated the risk of another catastrophic release. They described the current tank-closure phase, expected to finish in July 2029, along with site assessment, site investigation, remediation, and long-term monitoring that may continue through at least 2040. They also summarized drinking water actions: emergency response flushing and sampling after the 2021 spill, lifting of the public health advisory in 2022, completion of extended drinking water monitoring in 2025, and ongoing system improvements such as repairs, flushing plans, valve work, complaint-response protocols, and upgrades to storage tanks and pumps.
Members asked several questions about monitoring results, the meaning of TPH, the status of the 2015 agreement, and the Navy’s groundwater model. EPA said its sampling and the Navy’s results were in alignment during extended monitoring, and that it plans to issue a summary report covering the full response period. On the groundwater model, EPA and DOH said they have not yet approved it for decision-making, are reviewing it iteratively with outside experts and University of Hawaii data, and may approve it for specific uses in the future. DOH said its latest comment letter states the model cannot yet be used for decision-making purposes, and noted that UH’s separate modeling work is contingent on funding and may not be completed until next spring. The agencies also said they continue community outreach through open houses, webinars, neighborhood boards, legislative hearings, and fuel tank advisory committee meetings.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Veterans and Military Affairs Division 2/19/25
Veterans and Military Affairs Division
Transcript Highlights:
- You're not choosing a winning side; you are just choosing to continue one side that is losing.
- choosing to continue one side that<00:12:32.519>
is <00:12:33.079>losing <00:12:34.079> - that Minnesota Charities can continue that Minnesota Charities can continue their<00:16:21.639><
- Revenue at casinos people will continue Revenue at casinos people will continue to<00:21:31.760>
- charitable gambling Enterprises continue charitable gambling Enterprises continue to<00:31:29.279
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/13/2026 - Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- I am Lauren Mailing, and I respectfully request your support in the continuation of the Arizona Beef
- Thank you for your consideration to continue the Arizona Beef Council, and I welcome any questions.
- I move that the Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference make their recommendation to continue
- Committee of reference make their recommendation to continue the Arizona Beef Council for eight years
- We need to continue to promote our American producer products and continue to have that engagement with
Summary:
The Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference met to conduct the sunset review of the Arizona Beef Council. Lauren Mailing, the council’s executive director, testified in support of continuation, describing the council as a state-created, industry-funded organization that promotes, educates, and conducts research for Arizona beef producers. She explained that the council is financed through the federal beef checkoff program, with half of the $1 per-head assessment sent to national programs and half retained in Arizona for promotion, education, and research. She also emphasized that checkoff funds cannot be used for lobbying and highlighted programs such as ranch tours for nutrition professionals, classroom lesson plans, grants, and digital consumer outreach.
Committee members asked about whether checkoff dollars are refundable; Mailing said they are not under the federal program and Arizona does not have a separate refundable state checkoff. Members also offered supportive comments recognizing the council’s work and the service of former board member Andrew Grissetta, who had recently passed away. Several senators spoke in favor of the council’s educational efforts and its role in supporting ranchers, feeders, dairy farmers, and youth programs such as FFA and 4-H.
The vice chair moved to recommend continuing the Arizona Beef Council for eight years, until July 1, 2034. The motion passed on a 7-0 roll call vote, and the committee adjourned with no further business.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 3/13/25
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Not seeing any, please continue.
- <01:34:06.719>
unless Grant spending to continue unless Grant spending to continue unless - The enrollment continued to increase, and then this current year, fiscal year 25, we continued to ...
- happened for frisc year 25 and continue happened for frisc year 25 and continue to<01:37:10.920>
- Please continue. We three are... Thank you. Please continue.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Joint Policy Jan 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- Relating to physicians continuing education, relating to physicians continuing education required.
- There are continuing...
- May I continue? You may?
- You may continue.
- Continue, if you wish.
Summary:
The committee first took up Senate Bill 2401, which would require physicians to complete continuing education on nutrition and metabolic health as part of the state’s rural health transformation effort. HHS supported the bill, saying it would help physicians better address chronic disease and preserve federal grant points tied to the state’s application. A member of the public also testified in favor, arguing that better nutrition education could improve diabetes outcomes and reduce costs. The committee then adopted an amendment to add the Board of Occupational Therapy Practice to the background-check statute so the occupational therapy compact could proceed, and it passed the bill as amended on a roll call vote.
The committee next heard House Bill 1621, which would require the Presidential Fitness Physical Fitness Test in elementary, middle, and high school physical education courses. HHS said the bill was part of the rural health transformation application and could help preserve federal funding, but members raised many questions about the test’s criteria, adaptive options for students with disabilities, equipment needs, and whether the bill should apply to non-public schools. Senator Clemens offered an amendment to limit the requirement to public schools, but it failed. Senator Hogan then offered an amendment to clarify exemptions and allow DPI to align implementation with federal guidance; that amendment passed. A further amendment adding language allowing DPI to establish criteria for and exceptions to the test also passed. The committee then approved the bill as amended on a roll call vote.
The committee also considered House Bill 1622, which joins North Dakota to the physician assistant licensure compact. HHS said the compact would improve access to care, especially in rural areas, support military families, and help preserve rural health transformation funding. Members noted the compact had been discussed in a prior session and that many earlier concerns had been resolved. After brief discussion about the compact process and its consistency with other interstate compacts, the committee voted to do pass the bill.
Finally, the committee began Senate Bill 2402, which expands pharmacists’ prescriptive authority and therapeutic substitution powers. HHS and the Board of Pharmacy supported the bill as a way to improve access to care and maintain rural health transformation funding. Senator Roers introduced a detailed amendment negotiated with the Board of Medicine and Board of Pharmacy to narrow and clarify the bill, including notification requirements, limits on certain drug categories, and patient-protection language for therapeutic substitution. The Board of Pharmacy then testified in support of the broader bill and explained the CLIA-waived testing provisions and the repeal of the older, narrower pharmacist-testing language. The hearing and amendment discussion were still underway when the transcript ended.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- So, our goal is to continue to utilize our funds to the best we can to allow us to continue to allow
- So, our goal is to continue to utilize our funds to the best we can to allow us to continue to allow
- So, our goal is to continue to utilize our funds to the best we can to allow us to continue to allow
- Our goal is to continue to utilize our funds to the best we can to allow us to continue to allow for
- That this continues our discussions.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 03/03/26
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- We state that are going to continue on.
- sold into families and we'll continue. sold into families and we'll continue.
- Um, I truly continue the discussion.
- :00.239>
this <01:32:00.400>bill, continued conversation on this bill, continued conversation - humumera sales have continued to grow. humumera sales have continued to grow.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS House Floor - 2 February, 2026; 2:00 PM
Mississippi House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Continue to strengthen us, continue to guide us, God. Let your will be done, Lord.
- Continue to strengthen us, continue to guide us, God. Let your will be done, Lord.
- Continue to strengthen us, your heart.
- Continue to strengthen us, continue<00:10:08.399>
to <00:10:08.560>guide <00:10:08.800>< - Let your will continue to guide us, God.
Summary:
The House opened with prayer by Representative Hulum of Harrison, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. After the roll call, the chamber found a quorum present and approved dispensing with the reading of the journal. There were no select committee reports, no resolutions or memorials, and no guest introductions noted at that point. The Speaker also thanked members for their calls and prayers following the recent death of his father.
The main business of the day was procedural and organizational rather than substantive legislation. The House agreed to dispense with the reading of bill introductions, and the clerk announced a series of committee meetings scheduled for later that day and the following day. The Speaker said no floor work was expected that day, that the House would likely recess and reconvene the next afternoon, and that regular floor work would begin Wednesday morning after the committee deadline.
During member announcements, Representative Ford introduced Dr. Sarah Robertson as the doctor of the day. Other members mentioned upcoming meetings and events, including AET, the capital prayer group, Public Utilities, and primary care day. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn until 10:00 a.m. the next day.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration May 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And so we're just really excited about that, and, you know, continuing it.
- So I hope that we can continue the conversation about it.
- To continue the legacy of the things that you’ve started, one of the things that I will continue to fight
- And then we will continue this item and discuss it.
- And this is going to continue. But why are we in this predicament?
Summary:
The committee opened with the State Controller’s Office May Revision requests, including funding for Fiscal book-of-record stabilization, a Broadcom IDMS licensing adjustment, the California State Payroll System, ACFR reporting automation, and $3 million for unclaimed property outreach. Testimony emphasized progress on Fiscal becoming the state’s accounting book of record in July, faster ACFR publication, and the move to electronic unclaimed property claims. Members asked about the size of the unclaimed property fund and how quickly money is transferred to the General Fund; the Controller’s office said about $15 billion is held, with most excess transferred regularly, and the LAO noted the fund is the General Fund’s fourth-largest revenue source. No concerns were raised by Finance or the LAO, and the item was closed after no public comment.
The committee then heard the administration’s proposal to tax prewritten digital software and software-as-a-service, with Finance saying it would modernize sales tax treatment and raise an estimated $450 million General Fund and $560 million local revenue in 2026-27. The LAO supported modernizing the tax but suggested broader digital goods coverage and a business-use exemption; industry and taxpayer groups opposed the proposal, warning of higher costs for consumers and businesses. Members also heard CDTFA’s administrative request tied to the proposal, plus a separate CDTFA budget reduction reflecting lower operational needs; that reduction was presented as a savings item and drew positive reactions.
Next, the committee considered federal conformity for “Trump accounts,” which would align California tax treatment with federal rules for tax-deferred children’s accounts and avoid tracking burdens for families. The LAO recommended approval, and the item drew no opposition. The committee also heard a proposal to cut the first-year $800 annual business tax to $400 for LLCs, LPs, and LLPs; Finance argued it would lower startup costs and encourage new business formation, while the LAO said the benefit was not well targeted and could subsidize entities that would form anyway. Members discussed the policy tradeoff, and public commenters split between support for small business relief and concern about revenue loss.
The final major revenue item was a permanent business tax credit limitation, capping credits at the greater of $5 million per corporation or 50% of pre-credit liability, while excluding the low-income housing tax credit and personal income tax credits. Finance said it would raise significant revenue from large profitable corporations, and the LAO said it was a reasonable option but noted it would mainly affect the R&D credit and could have future implications for programs like California Competes. Public testimony was sharply divided, with business groups opposing the cap and anti-poverty advocates supporting it as a way to recapture revenue. The committee also heard FTB’s CalFile realignment request, which would return most of the direct-file-related resources to the General Fund while retaining a smaller staff to improve CalFile, and the California Arts Council’s request to reauthorize the Keep Arts in Schools voluntary contribution fund, which members and advocates supported despite relatively modest annual donations. The hearing continued with GoBiz proposals on civic media funding, CA RISE reappropriation, and a semiconductor facility reversion, with the LAO supporting the latter two and members raising questions about the civic media program’s scope, outreach, and inclusion of broadcast and ethnic media.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- And I want to make sure that that conversation continues.
- And with that, I also want to compel and continue to advocate for my colleagues, the compel and continue
- These are children that we are continuing to talk about.
- And I hope every day that we continue to work towards finding this criminal. every day that we continue
- You know, I'm glad to see agencies continued and councils continued.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and approval of the prior journal. Members then recognized several guests and issued proclamations, including honors for the Maryvale High School basketball program and Maryvale’s gifted and talented micro school, a Black History Month proclamation, and a remembrance for Emily Pike, with Senator Hatathlie urging continued attention to missing and murdered Indigenous people and to changes in the turquoise alert law. The chamber also marked Arizona’s statehood anniversary with cake for members and staff.
The body then moved through Committee of the Whole and third-reading action on several bills. SB 1107, relating to peace officer certification pathways, was amended in committee and passed 27-2-1. SB 1032, appropriating money to the Corrections Oversight Fund, passed 29-0-1 after supportive explanations from senators. SB 1083 on condominiums and planned communities, SB 1252 on assignment for benefit of creditors, and SB 1259 on campaign-related provisions all passed 29-0-1. SB 1198, relating to the Arizona Beef Council, passed 23-6-1 after debate over whether the council used tax dollars or industry checkoff dollars.
SB 1020, relating to special plates, initially passed 26-3-1 but was later reconsidered at Senator Bolick’s request and then passed again 25-4-1. The Senate also requested the House return SBs 1333 and 1368 for reconsideration. Committee meetings were announced for the following Monday, and the chamber adjourned until February 16, 2026.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Feb 26th, 2025
Military and Veterans Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- So, we continue to dialogue with different groups throughout the state.
- Veterans to continue to do that. So, with that, Mr.
- Myself and the chairman, we continue to dialogue, and we will continue to do that.
- But we are going to continue. I cannot stress this enough.
- All right, we will continue.
Keywords:
veterans affairs, Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, State Board of Veterans Affairs, commissioner, Governor appointment, oversight board, veterans services, veterans benefits, state veterans homes, veterans cemeteries, Alabama Veterans Home Trust Fund, veteran service officers, district managers, assistant commissioners, county veterans offices, military veterans, disabled veterans, elderly veterans, veterans organizations, American Legion
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Budget Commission Sep 12th, 2025
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Status of Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- meet the continued need.
- So we need to continuously evolve.
- meet the continued need.
- So we need to continuously evolve.
- meet the continued need.
Summary:
The subcommittee met to approve the April and May minutes, welcome a new member, and hear an update from Gina Frey of EOHHS on statewide health and human services workforce development efforts. Frey described cross-secretariat initiatives under the Workforce Skills Cabinet, including MA Repay loan repayment awards, expanded community college and tuition supports, ESOL/work-readiness programming for immigrants, and efforts to build career pathways and reduce attrition in nursing, behavioral health, direct care, and primary care. She also reviewed a $46 million ARPA-funded home and community-based services grant program that supported 82 grantees, led to hiring 8,752 new staff, over 1,000 interns, 2,000 new certifications, and a drop in vacancy rates from 22% to 12%.
Members raised concerns about the impact of immigration policy changes on the direct care workforce, including losses of trained workers in provider agencies, and asked whether any exemption or other relief efforts were underway. Frey said EOHHS is tracking the issue closely but did not identify a specific exemption effort. The discussion also touched on Medicaid and related program changes, with Frey noting the administration is focused on understanding potential impacts to eligibility and work requirements. Rep. Howard asked about initiatives for direct support professionals and wraparound supports, and Frey said those efforts are often led by individual agencies such as MassAbility and DDS, with EOHHS coordinating across them.
The latter part of the meeting shifted to planning FY26 subcommittee goals and possible events. Members discussed using the Health Policy Commission’s Behavioral Health Workforce Center and possibly asking for a study comparing compensation in DDS and related direct care roles against health care and education jobs. They also discussed a possible cross-state public event on immigration’s impact on the workforce, especially for people with disabilities and direct support services, and agreed to continue refining goals and event ideas by email and at the next meeting. Frey provided a website link and contact information for Amy Doyle at the Health Policy Commission to facilitate future presentations.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee Jul 16th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And I'm going to continue to have a very open door.
- So that will continue. That'll continue.
- And we'll continue to offer period.
- And I trust the author to continue to work on it.
- We continue to request...
Summary:
The committee heard several AI- and consumer-protection-related bills, with extensive testimony from authors, supporters, and industry opponents. SB 53 by Senator Wiener would create transparency requirements for large AI developers, including disclosure of safety and security protocols, reporting of critical safety incidents, whistleblower protections, and the CalCompute public cloud. Supporters said it is a narrower, transparency-based follow-up to last year’s vetoed AI safety bill, while opponents argued it still relies too much on company size, could expose trade secrets, and should be narrowed further. The committee approved SB 53 on a do-pass-as-amended vote to Appropriations, with the roll held open for absent members.
SB 766 by Senator Allen would codify the FTC’s Cars Rule and create a three-day cooling-off period for certain used-car purchases, along with stronger disclosure rules on pricing, add-ons, and government affiliation claims. Supporters said it would save consumers money and time and help buyers avoid bad deals, while dealer and industry groups said amendments addressed many of their concerns. Several former opponents moved to neutral, and the committee passed SB 766 unanimously as amended to Appropriations.
SB 7 by Senator McNerney would regulate automated decision-making systems in employment by requiring notice, human review for discipline and termination, and limits on predictive behavior analysis. Labor and consumer advocates supported the bill as a safeguard against biased or overly automated workplace decisions, while employer and industry groups raised concerns about scope, notice burdens, and the predictive-analysis ban. The committee passed SB 7 to Appropriations on a 4-2 vote, with the roll held open. SB 833, also by Senator McNerney, would require human oversight of AI used in critical infrastructure, along with training and system assessments; it drew limited opposition focused on scope, and the committee passed it as amended to Appropriations on a 5-0 vote, also holding the roll open.
Later, the committee took up SB 11, which would address AI-generated voice, image, and video cloning and deepfakes by clarifying likeness protections, requiring consumer warnings, and addressing misuse and evidence tampering. Supporters framed it as a targeted response to nonconsensual deepfakes, while industry groups said recent amendments improved the bill but still had concerns about penalties and warning language. The committee also heard SB 720, the Safer Streets Act, which would let cities opt into a revised red-light camera system that shifts from driver to owner liability, removes facial identification, makes violations civil rather than criminal, and directs revenue toward transportation safety projects; the author presented the bill, but the transcript ends before any final action on SB 720.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Education Committee Apr 30th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I just ask you to continue to address that fundamental question.
- We are committed to continuing that work.
- So to me, those...” “...are two of the core challenges we’re going to continue to face as we continue
- I'd be happy to continue working on this bill moving forward.
- I would be happy to continue working on this bill moving forward.
Summary:
The Assembly Education Committee heard AB 84, a charter school accountability measure focused on non-classroom-based charter schools and fraud prevention. The author and supporters said the bill was intended to respond to the A3 charter fraud case and related scandals by strengthening audits, transparency, authorizer oversight, and funding determination rules, while ensuring public education dollars are used for public education. Supporters included FCMAT, CSEA, CTA, and CSBA, who argued the bill would improve oversight and protect taxpayers. Opponents, including the California Charter Schools Association, Green Dot, many charter parents, educators, and charter operators, said the bill was too broad, would impose major new costs and bureaucracy on all charter schools, and could reduce options for families, especially those using flexible, homeschool, or special-needs charter programs. After extensive testimony and committee discussion, the bill passed on a 5-1 vote and was sent to Appropriations, with the item left open for additional votes.
The committee then approved a consent calendar of 11 education bills, including AB 542, AB 563, AB 731, AB 753, AB 784, AB 964, AB 988, AB 1034, AB 1233, AB 1255, and AB 1381, all moving to Appropriations. The consent calendar passed unanimously.
Later, the committee heard AB 1454, a literacy and reading instruction bill authored by Assembly Members Rubio and Revis. The bill would require the state to create professional development resources for evidence-based literacy instruction, update English language arts and English language development instructional materials, and revise administrator preparation standards to include literacy training. The authors and a broad coalition of supporters, including CTA, EdVoice, Families in Schools, Decoding Dyslexia, school administrators, and parent advocates, described the measure as a compromise aimed at improving reading outcomes and addressing California’s literacy crisis. There was no opposition testimony at the hearing, and members voiced strong support for the bill and its collaborative approach.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Four - Tuesday, January 13 - Afternoon Session - State of the State
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We helped write it and will continue to do so in the years ahead.
- We continue to build on the foundation of this great American experiment.
- That's why in our budget we continue funding Operation Relentless Pursuit.
- Only a bureaucrat would say that continued record funding is somehow a cut.
- Continue to be crucial in helping Missourians recover from disasters.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Oct 15th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- continue to be nationally recognized.
- We continue to make progress in our research metrics, and we're going to continue this into 2030.
- Okay, let's just continue. Proceed and give us the page number.
- We continue to track metrics around those initiatives.
- We're continuing to see success around this, and then our graduate, or— We're continuing to see success
Summary:
The committee heard a presentation on the State University System’s new strategic plan, SUS 30, from Emily Sykes and later the system’s legislative budget request from Sarah Denagie. The strategic plan centers on five priorities: One SUS collaboration, elevating student success, operational excellence, world-class talent, and innovative research and economic development. Testimony highlighted Florida’s continued status as the nation’s top higher education system, record rankings, improved four-year graduation rates, higher median graduate wages, strong licensure pass rates, and expanded focus on research commercialization and workforce alignment. Senators asked about programs of strategic emphasis, mental health and teacher workforce needs, use of the My Florida Future wage data tool, support for first-generation and Pell students, and the role of liberal arts degrees. The system said it would provide follow-up information, including the full strategic-emphasis list and a report on campus safety best practices after a recent summit following the FSU shooting.
The committee also received an update on line funding for nursing and health care partnerships. Officials said the $6 million appropriation was fully subscribed through 24 proposals from all 10 nursing programs, supporting scholarships, faculty recruitment, internships, simulation, and expanded nursing capacity. They reported more than 1,900 new nursing graduates, over 200 new student slots, more than 300 scholarships, and a 92% NCLEX pass rate. Senators asked about expanding eligibility for the program, and staff indicated that would be examined this year.
For the legislative budget request, the Board of Governors asked for $634.5 million total, including $295 million to maintain the institutional performance-based funding base, $400 million for the state investment portion of performance-based funding, $125 million for preeminence funding, $100 million for faculty recruitment and retention, $6.4 million for UF/IFAS extension workload, and $3.1 million for state fire marshal inspections. The chair noted that resources are limited and that difficult budget decisions will be required. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentations and questions.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Jul 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And continue partnering effectively with the state. That's what I was waiting for.
- We'll go ahead and continue, and there's no primary witnesses.
- Our ports need to continue to be competitive.
- We need to continue to protect our ports in order to stay competitive.
- Roll call is open and we're going to continue. I believe Mr.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact met on July 11, 2025, and heard six measures focused on small business contracting, ports and trade, local economic development, clean energy transition, tariff impacts, and infrastructure finance. SB 70 would raise the Small Business Procurement and Contract Act contract cap from $250,000 to $350,000 and index it to inflation; supporters said it would reflect current economic conditions, while opponents argued it could reduce transparency, favor larger firms, and strain small businesses’ ability to carry inventory and wait for payment. The bill was approved 7-0 to Appropriations.
AJR 14 urged federal agencies to consider the effects of tariff policy on California ports, with testimony emphasizing impacts on cargo volumes, jobs, supply chains, and infrastructure needs; it passed 7-0. SB 781 would require cities and counties to adopt small business utilization plans and strengthen the California Small Business Technical Assistance Program; chambers of commerce and committee members supported it as a way to expand procurement opportunities and technical assistance, and it passed 7-0 to Local Government. SB 227 would extend and expand the Green Empowerment Zone in Contra Costa County, add environmental justice representatives, and extend authorization to 2040; it passed 7-0 to the floor.
SB 263 would direct the California Transportation Agency to study the statewide impacts of tariffs, with supporters from the ports, retail, and trucking sectors arguing that better data is needed to guide budgeting and policy responses; it passed 7-0 to Appropriations. SB 769 would create the Golden State Infrastructure Fund to finance major infrastructure projects through a revolving public-private investment model; supporters said it would help address long-term infrastructure needs and prepare for major events, and the bill passed 6-0 to Appropriations after opposition was withdrawn. All measures were reported out of committee, and the meeting adjourned at 10:39 a.m.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Oct 15th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- continue to be nationally recognized.
- Our goals are ambitious and prove that we want to continue to improve.
- We continue to make progress in our research metrics, and we're going to continue this into 2030.
- So we continue to track metrics around those initiatives.
- We're continuing to see success around this, and then our graduate or...
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education heard a presentation on the State University System’s new strategic plan, SUS 30, and its legislative budget request. University officials described the plan’s five priorities: One SUS collaboration, elevating student success, operational excellence, world-class talent, and innovative research and economic development. They highlighted Florida’s continued status as the top higher education system in the nation, low tuition, strong graduation outcomes, rising median wages for graduates, and expanded use of the My Florida Future website to help students and families compare degree outcomes and earnings. Members asked for follow-up information on programs of strategic emphasis, mental health and social work workforce needs, wage data over time, and how the system supports innovation moving toward commercialization.
The committee also discussed campus safety, prompted in part by recent events at FSU. System officials said universities and the Florida College System recently held a safety summit to share best practices on building security, threat assessment, and coordination with law enforcement, and they agreed to provide a report back to the committee after the Board of Governors reviews recommendations in November. Senators also raised questions about Pell student support, first-generation student success, and whether liberal arts graduates’ earnings catch up over time. Officials said Pell students are tracked through performance-based funding metrics and that the system’s accountability plans will continue to emphasize access and completion.
A separate update covered line funding for nursing and health care partnerships. Officials said the $6 million appropriation was fully subscribed through 24 proposals from all 10 nursing programs, supporting scholarships, faculty recruitment, internships, simulation, and licensure preparation. They reported over 1,900 new nursing graduates, more than 200 new student slots, over 300 scholarships, and a 92% NCLEX pass rate. Senators asked about expanding eligibility for the program, and staff said that issue would be revisited this year.
The Board of Governors’ legislative budget request totaled $634.5 million and included $295 million for performance-based funding institutional investment, a request to restore and increase the state investment portion to $400 million, $125 million for preeminence funding, $100 million for faculty recruitment and retention, $6.4 million for UF/IFAS extension workload, and $3.1 million for State Fire Marshal inspections. The chair noted that resources are limited and that difficult budget decisions lie ahead. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentations and questions.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- We are continuing to evaluate thank you.
- Representative Johnson continued: “Thank you, Mr. Chair.
- Representative Johnson continued: “None.
- out, but we would just like to continue out, but we would just like to continue the<01:17:45.120
- <01:28:23.360>
working bill that we hope to continue working bill that we hope to continue