Transcript Highlights:

• These providers are then supported by clinical services of APPs, nurses, nurse navigators, and MAs.
• recognized for some of our graduate programs like our nurse practitioner program.
• We hear this regularly, and we get emails constantly from our local nurses and nursing staff about this
• Nursing and some of the other professions.
• Residency program and investments in social work, and especially in the nursing program.

Transcript Highlights:

• She was a nurse.
• Our largest AS degree program is our nursing program. We graduated 316 nurses last year.
• To be a nurse, which, you know, is a very high-demand field.
• And we have tripled the size of our College of Nursing programming to help meet the nursing shortage
• Have the appropriate courses to get me into the nursing major.

Summary: The subcommittee began with an informal “college day” exercise in which members described what careers and colleges they would choose if starting over, often citing factors such as program reputation, location, cost, graduation rates, employment outcomes, and family or personal interests. Members mentioned a range of possible paths including law, aviation, education, construction management, psychology, social work, criminal justice, nursing, intelligence studies, and the arts. Several also highlighted the value of historically Black colleges and universities, dual enrollment, and career/technical education. The chair used the exercise to frame the meeting’s broader focus on Florida’s higher education pathways and student outcomes. Dr. Kathleen Plinsky of Valencia College then gave an overview of the Florida College System and Valencia’s role in it, emphasizing Florida’s statewide articulation and transfer framework, open-access mission, affordability, and workforce alignment. She described Valencia’s record enrollment, high retention, large share of first-generation and working students, and partnerships such as Direct Connect to UCF, Osceola Prosper, and Open Door grants for short-term training. Members asked about guaranteed transfer, apprenticeships, enrollment trends, student demographics, out-of-state residency, county scholarship costs, dual enrollment outcomes, and barriers to expanding career dual enrollment. Dr. Plinsky said the system supports transfer and acceleration well, but funding constraints limit growth in some areas; she also noted that dual enrollment participation is high and that Valencia’s affordability and student support efforts have driven recent enrollment gains. Dr. Jim Clark of Florida State University followed with an overview of the State University System, describing its governance, performance-based funding, low tuition, and strong graduation and research outcomes. He highlighted FSU’s enrollment, research profile, transfer student success, FSU Health, the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, partnerships with K-12 schools and Tallahassee State College, and efforts to expand nursing and medical education to address workforce shortages. After the presentations, the committee heard from a panel on student acceleration and mobility: Shannon Mercer of the Department of Education explained the Office of Articulation, the statewide course numbering system, FASTER records, the 2+2 transfer model, specialized AA transfer degrees, and credit for industry certifications, military, medical, and law-enforcement training. Panelists from Kaiser University, Florida State University, and Pinellas County Schools described their institutions’ roles in transfer, advising, career pathways, apprenticeships, and dual enrollment. No formal votes or bills were taken up in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a board of nursing to license nurses.
• We have a board of nursing to license nurses.
• retire So based on the number of nurses retire So based on the number of nurses in<01:31:39.080>
• She continued that school nursing is a specialty requiring skills and knowledge beyond basic nursing,
• <01:34:26.560> are and if I further know that nurses are and if I further know that nurses

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• impacted our ability to hire nursing impacted our ability to hire nursing staff<00:47:08.000>
• They are being served in other nursing They are being served in other nursing homes<00:56:17.200
• facilities, we have a lot more nursing facilities, we have a lot more nursing hours<01:05:08.200
• like we have some nurses available. like we have some nurses available.
• Because that's a nursing hours per patient day.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with the pledge and prayer, a roll call established quorum, and members announced a Veterans Caucus meeting to follow the session. The committee also recognized distinguished veteran Joe Mash Masterson of Bardstown, who was praised for his Army service, long-time advocacy for veterans, and leadership in the American Legion and local veteran organizations. Masterson thanked his family, the American Legion Post 121, and the VA staff, and several members offered remarks honoring his service and the committee’s practice of recognizing veterans. The committee then briefly addressed a referred administrative regulation, 017 KAR 001 030, which leadership described as technical updates to existing policy; no vote was taken. After that, members heard testimony from KDVA and Finance and Administration officials on the ongoing HVAC replacement project at the Radcliffe Veteran Center. Officials said the system had been problematic for years, that design work began early to accelerate the project, and that the work was complicated by the need to replace the system in an operating nursing facility. They explained that the project was bid in March, awarded to Less Mechanical, and that protective measures, shop drawings, and equipment orders were underway. Committee members pressed officials on why the problem had taken so long to resolve, why the original system had been installed, whether the issue had been communicated regularly, and whether the state should be paying for a replacement in a relatively new facility. Officials said the original system’s components and warranties had failed, that they had tried to replace parts before moving to a full replacement, and that the system’s manufacturer and quality differed from a similar facility in Glasgow that had not had the same issues. They said the current phase one contract was about $6 million, with the remaining funds held for phase two to restore full occupancy; phase two design was nearly complete and could be bid later if funding is approved. Officials estimated phase one completion around January 2026 and full completion around March 2027, depending on funding and scheduling.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jill Pocket with the Florida Association of Nurse Practitioners waiving in support.
• Victoria's app with Florida Association of Nurse Practitioners waiving in support.
• Victoria's app with Florida Association of Nurse Practitioners waiving in support.
• You're giving everyone the ability to practice on supervised from cardiac nurse nurse is to every kind
• of nurse, and philosophically, I think that's going way too far.

Transcript Highlights:

• Nurse practitioners in the E&T program working a lot around Cleveland.
• So, finally, we have House Bill 34, School Nurse Licensure Provisions.
• Why was that taken out and how does that affect these nurses?
• This sounds like a real basic question, but how does this benefit nurses?
• Why was that taken out and how does that affect these nurses?

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As you can see, the state of Florida continues to have a focus on our nursing and our health science
• And even our nursing programs continue to see increases in enrollments.
• And even our nursing programs continue to see increases in enrollments.
• Our Associate in Nursing NCLEX pass rate is 92.45%, and we've had 100% job placement.
• Because I've had some questions on it in the nursing field in particular. Okay, thank you.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Skilled nursing homes, on average, cost $153,000 per year.
• House File 2647 is a bill that clarifies that licensed Practical nurses can do tests consistent with
• the Nurse Practice Act in assisted living settings, and they are already allowed to do so in clinics,
• This is about allowing skilled nurses to do a task that they are licensed to do under the Nurse Practice
• The proponents of the bill receive technical assistance from the Board of Nursing to ensure that this

Transcript Highlights:

• practice provided by the Board of Nursing and RSA 326-B, the Nurse Practice Act.
• of practice provided by the Board of Nursing and RSA 326-B, the Nurse Practice Act.
• > nurse<00:04:12.439> practices<00:04:13.439> nurse<00:04:13.760> practices
• c> uh the nurse practices nurse practices uh the nurse practices nurse practices act.<00:04:14.720>
• It does leave intact um nurse, having medical supervisory nurse, having medical supervisory oversight

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with Senate Bill 197, which would remove supervision of the legislative facilities committee nurse from the Department of Health and Human Services and instead place the nurse under the Board of Nursing’s scope of practice and the Nurse Practice Act. Ryan Maliti introduced the bill for Senator Pearl, and John Williams of DHHS explained that the current statutory language is outdated, dating back to 1995, and improperly gives medical supervisory authority to a non-clinician. He said the change would align the statute with current practice and that the department, the Joint Legislative Committee’s chief operating officer, and the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification were all comfortable with the language. Committee members asked about the need for the change and confirmed the old supervisory language was no longer being meaningfully used. The chair closed the hearing on SB 197, noting there may be additional amendments before final action. The committee then heard Senate Bill 186, which would authorize the Joint Legislative Historical Committee to accept and display a portrait of former Senator Jeb Bradley in the State House. Max Taylor, speaking for Senator Rashardi, described Bradley’s long public service and urged the committee to move the bill. Members asked whether the portrait was completed, where it would be displayed, and how size and placement would be determined. Taylor said the portrait had not yet been commissioned but would be paid for by Bradley, and that the exact location had not been set. Committee members and staff noted that the Joint Historical Committee is already working on portrait placement and space issues, and that the bill may need to be coordinated with broader updates to the statutes governing portraits and memorials. The committee also heard Senate Bill 200, introduced by Senator Reardon, to allow the Joint Legislative Historical Committee to accept and hang a portrait of former Senator Sylvia Larson. Reardon and Donna Susi, who painted the portrait and had served as Larson’s chief of staff, gave strong testimony about Larson’s legislative record, leadership as Senate President, and bipartisan service. Members asked about the portrait’s status, size, and where it would be displayed; witnesses said the portrait was completed, framed, and currently stored in a box pending approval, and that the committee would decide placement. In the later work session, the chair used the two portrait bills to discuss broader problems in the statutes and the Joint Historical Committee’s responsibilities, including possible size limits, placement rules, and whether New Hampshire should adopt practices used in other states such as waiting periods or moratoriums on portraits. No votes were taken during the work session, but members discussed using the bills as vehicles for larger statutory cleanup.

Transcript Highlights:

• She needs to transfer to a nursing home.
• It's a rule that would triple the registered nurse requirements in nursing homes, which is going to lead
• This would lead to nursing home closures across our state.
• Go to the nursing home on your own. That's a broken health care system.
• A nurse from Dalton, Georgia, who falls into the Medicaid coverage gap.

Transcript Highlights:

• hospitalization skilled nursing hospitalization skilled nursing facilities<01:08:50.359> stay
• It is about allowing skilled nurses to do a task that they are licensed to do under the Nurse Practice
• are licensed to do Under the nurse are licensed to do Under the nurse Practice<01:35:01.159>
• creates clarification for nurses creates clarification for nurses providers<01:36:02.280> families
• <01:37:46.520> per reported to the registered nurse per reported to the registered nurse per

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Jamie Fukulei, registered nurse Shawn Morish, certified physician assistant Kyle O'Hisa, Dr.
• They are the nurses, across our islands.
• Shawn is a registered nurse at Rehab Hospital of Pacific, who earned his nursing degree at HPU.
• Shawn is a registered nurse at Rehab Hospital of Pacific, who earned his nursing degree at HPU.
• Shawn is a registered nurse at Rehab Hospital of Pacific, who earned his nursing degree at HPU.

Bills: SB2723, HB9

Keywords: law enforcement, State Sheriffs Day, Hawaii, commemoration, public safety, honor sheriffs, HB9, Hawaii Purple Heart state, Purple Heart, Purple Heart recipients, veterans, military, armed forces, service members, combat wounded, war veterans, military honors, state designation, symbolic legislation, honorary designation

Transcript Highlights:

• And it requires emergency departments to designate a physician, nurse, or paramedic as the lead person
• What this bill does is really assist in making sure we have our medical providers and our nurses, who
• That way, our nurses will be educated before they go actually out and practice.
• Seeing no questions, with one appearance form, Jack Corey, Florida Nursing Association.
• With one appearance form, Jack Corey, Florida Nursing Association, waiving in support. Thank you.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard public comment on several health and human services funding concerns before moving through a series of bills. Testimony at the start focused on the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, with a client warning that proposed changes to eligibility and drug access could disrupt care for thousands of people living with HIV/AIDS, and urging the Legislature to intervene. Another speaker asked for support for the iBudget waiver, saying provider costs have risen and requesting about a 7% increase for direct support professionals to help stabilize the developmental disabilities workforce. The committee then unanimously reported favorably several bills. SB 428 expanded Florida’s swim lesson voucher program from children ages 0-4 to ages 1-7, based on drowning-prevention recommendations. SB 68 required hospitals with emergency departments to adopt pediatric emergency care policies, training, equipment standards, and readiness assessments; an amendment aligned reporting dates with the House version. SB 1718 changed the definition of when an adult visitor in an out-of-home placement becomes a non-visitor, reducing repeated background checks, made the Step Into Success pilot permanent, adjusted foster youth stipends, and created a best-practices program within the Florida Institute for Child Welfare. The committee also approved SB 606, which adds drowning-prevention and safe-bathing education to postpartum materials provided to new parents and requires hospitals and birthing centers to document compliance; members highlighted bathtub drownings as a key concern. SB 96 expanded eligibility for the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program to veterans up to 400% of the federal poverty level, while an amendment removed the bill’s specific appropriation so funding can be handled in the budget process. SB 340 required nursing students to complete a two-hour human trafficking course before taking the NCLEX. SB 1480 created a grandfathering process for certain health care providers in federally designated areas of critical need if an area is de-designated, to avoid disrupting patient-provider relationships. All bills were reported favorably, and the committee adjourned at the end of the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:49:16.640> facility changes to the nursing facility changes to the nursing facility reimbursement
• the assisted living facility or nursing the assisted living facility or nursing home<00:51:48.960
• <00:52:18.680> Services nursing Services nursing Services agencies<00:52:21.720> section
• <00:53:12.240> for responsibility of registered nurses for responsibility of registered nurses
• <02:16:42.200> homes things more for our our nursing homes things more for our our nursing

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I KNOW NURSING EDUCATION WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF DISCUSSION ON NURSING EDUCATION IN THIS COMMITTEE AND ESPECIALLY
• AND THERE ARE SOME OTHER GRANTS WE CAN TALK ABOUT AS WELL IN NURSING.
• GRANT, ALL OF THOSE HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING COLLEGES EXPAND THEIR PROGRAMS PARTICULARLY NURSING
• IF YOU ARE TECHNICAL PROGRAM OR WELDING OR IN THE NURSING PROGRAM YOU ARE GETTING THE 1.5 WEIGHT.
• YOU KNOW TO HIRE SOMEONE IN THE NURSING PROGRAM AND NURSING IS PERHAPS DIFFERENT IT IS YOU KNOW COMPETING

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Would you please recognize Senator John Hase to introduce the nurse of the day.
• Senator Hase, you're recognized to introduce the nurse of the day. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Members, please welcome Doctor Casey Ang as our nurse of the day.
• Natural Sciences at the University of Tulsa and Executive director of the School of Nursing.
• this significant contribution in 2025 by being inducted as a fellow into the American Academy of Nurses

Bills: SB1519, SB1775, SB1900, SB1948, SB2080, SB1226, SB1456, SB1462, SB1463, SB1980, SB1479, SB1608, SB1923

Keywords: municipal zoning, home-based businesses, no-impact businesses, local government, regulation, short-term rentals, municipal ordinance, municipal court, court of record, court not of record, city penalties, fine limits, penalty cap, ordinance enforcement, state statute, traffic offenses, speeding, parking, DUI, DWI

Transcript Highlights:

• We have had interim chief nursing officers.
• We recently brought on an interim chief nursing officer that Dr.
• It is on the clinical teams, nursing, physicians, nurse practitioners, to really assess clinically when
• And reliance on agency use of those positions with MHTs and with nurses is very, very expensive.
• So we're... ...also becoming more sophisticated with our nurse staffing committee process.

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The joint Senate and House Behavioral Health committee met for informational presentations on the Oregon State Hospital and civil commitment, followed by a planned tour of the hospital. Oregon Health Authority and Oregon State Hospital leaders reported that Sean Murphy will become the next permanent superintendent on July 13, with Sarah Castle to follow as permanent chief nursing officer on July 20. They described recent leadership turnover, a major organizational restructure, and efforts to build a culture of safety, transparency, and accountability. Officials said the hospital regained Joint Commission accreditation and CMS compliance, and they highlighted daily safety huddles, incident review processes, stronger escalation procedures, and improved management of seclusion and restraint. Committee members pressed hospital leaders on past prolonged seclusion practices, falls, staffing, and the need for better public reporting; OHA said it is building a public dashboard of key safety and workforce metrics. The committee then heard a civil commitment overview from the Oregon Judicial Department. The presenter explained that civil commitment is a separate legal process from criminal cases, usually beginning with a hospital hold, investigation, court review, appointed counsel, and a hearing within five days. She summarized changes made in House Bill 2005, including revised standards for danger to self, danger to others, and basic-needs commitments, plus a second 14-day diversion option. She cautioned that the new law has only been in effect since January and that it is too early to draw firm conclusions from the data, though there has been a recent uptick in commitments and a decrease in diversions. Testimony from NAMI Oregon and a forensic psychiatrist emphasized that Oregon still relies too heavily on jails and state hospitals because community services, housing, and outpatient supports are insufficient. They argued that the state needs more less-restrictive alternatives, including better use of assisted outpatient treatment or outpatient civil commitment, and more supported housing so people do not cycle between homelessness, incarceration, and hospitalization. A family member described a relative remaining psychotic in jail for more than 120 days before ending up back at the state hospital, urging faster intervention and better collaboration among courts, counties, hospitals, and state agencies. Committee members and witnesses also discussed workforce shortages, the expansion of secure residential treatment beds, and the need for broader system reforms beyond the hospital itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a registered nurse, and I'm proudly serving as the president of the Minnesota Nurses Association.
• I'm a registered nurse, and I'm proudly serving as the president of the Minnesota Nurses Association.
• we hope that you will listen to nurses we hope that you will listen to nurses and<01:02:03.200><
• Nurses who support their patients. I urge you all to vote in favor of this bill.
• Throughout my 30 years as a nurse, I've Throughout my 30 years as a nurse, I've worked<01:14:53.240><

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House File 3939, a bill to support a Helping Paws service-dog litter named in honor of Gilbert and the Hortman family. Testimony from Helping Paws and service-dog graduate Angie Foley described the organization’s work, the significance of the “Guided by Gilbert” litter, and how the funding would help train dogs that provide independence and support to people with disabilities, veterans, and others. Members from both parties spoke warmly about Speaker Hortman’s connection to the organization and Gilbert, and the bill was laid over for possible inclusion. The committee then considered House File 3769, the Department of Corrections’ technical omnibus bill, with an A1 amendment adopted to clarify tuberculosis testing language. The bill updates TB screening procedures in correctional facilities, including how refusals are handled, and adds Quantiferon Gold Plus testing as an option alongside existing methods. Members discussed whether the bill would create costs for counties and jails, with some noting added testing and segregation costs and others arguing the changes would improve accuracy and reduce time in restrictive housing. The bill, as amended, was recommended to the general register. House File 3978 was next, a technical cleanup bill for a provider wellness program created last year. The bill expands eligibility and confidentiality protections from physicians to all health care providers, while supporters said the program is meant to address burnout and mental health strain in the workforce and does not require new money. Some members questioned whether the change was redundant or would broaden the program without additional funding, but the Minnesota Medical Association testified that the program is separate from insurance and was intended to serve all providers. The bill was recommended to the general register. Finally, the committee began House File 3476, which Rep. Liebling described as a cleanup bill related to Minnesota’s Medicaid managed care system and public program oversight. She argued that the state spends billions through managed care organizations and that the system has never been proven better than direct payment, setting up a broader discussion of the bill’s purpose and the state’s oversight of public health care spending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Board of Nursing, and currently I'm the CEO of Vitra Health.
• I'm a licensed registered nurse, a former executive director of the Massachusetts Board of Nursing, and
• I'm a licensed registered nurse, a former executive director of the Massachusetts Board of Nursing, and
• Currently in Massachusetts, nurses, physicians, and physician assistants precept on a volunteer basis
• , nurse practitioners, PAs, and physicians.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing focused largely on tax-credit proposals tied to children, families, caregivers, child care, health care workforce development, and public health. A major portion of the hearing concerned bills to expand the state earned income tax credit and child and family tax credit, including H. 3073/S. 1957 and S. 1975. Testimony from advocacy groups, legal services, tax assistance organizations, and health providers supported increasing the EITC match from 40% to 50% of the federal credit, expanding eligibility to immigrant and mixed-status ITIN filers, larger families, younger and older workers, and SSI recipients, and raising the child and family tax credit to $600 per child with inflation adjustments and possible advance payments. Witnesses said these changes would reduce poverty, improve health and educational outcomes, and help families meet basic expenses; committee members asked questions about ITIN filers and expressed support for the policy goals. The committee also heard extensive testimony on S. 1938/H. 3159, An Act Supporting Family Caregivers. Speakers described the scale of unpaid caregiving in Massachusetts and supported a package that would create a refundable tax credit, respite vouchers, workplace and housing protections, unemployment insurance access for those who leave work to care for relatives, a permanent advisory council, and a provision allowing spouses to be paid caregivers under MassHealth. Several witnesses shared personal caregiving experiences, and committee members responded favorably, noting the emotional and financial strain on caregivers and the importance of supporting them as Medicaid and long-term care systems face pressure. Additional bills discussed included H. 3174 on a child and dependent care tax credit, which was presented as a way to offset the high cost of child care; H. 3197/S. 2019 to improve the financial security of family child care providers through a tax credit; H. 3218/S. 1960 to create tax credits for health care preceptors to address workforce shortages; S. 2064 to establish a living organ donor tax credit; S. 2034 to promote healthy alternatives to sugary drinks through a tiered tax; H. 3015 to create a tax-return checkoff for the YMCA Youth and Government Program; and several public testimony ideas including vaccination, literacy, and grade-improvement tax credits. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing, which ended after all testimony was heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it the school employee, or are we really identifying the school nurse?
• So I believe the first example is a school nurse.
• So that could be with the school nurse or that could be at a...
• So that could be with the school nurse or that could be at a designated secured location.
• It could be the school resource officer, the nurse, obviously cafeteria personnel.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education Pre-K through 12 considered a series of education-related bills, many of them after adopting amendments. SB 1122 on Florida Virtual School was amended to remove virtual preschool provisions and then passed favorably, with the sponsor describing it as a clarifying bill about FLVS operations, revenue sources, reporting, and student access. SB 1374, on school district reporting requirements for educator arrests and misconduct, was also approved; it requires faster district action and reporting when instructional personnel are arrested for certain offenses and clarifies that self-reports are not admissions of guilt. SB 1402, on student enrollment and dropout retrieval programs, was amended and passed to broaden eligibility for dropout retrieval services and allow certain virtual providers to receive a school improvement rating instead of a school grade. SB 364, moving the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys from the Department of Education to Florida Memorial University, was amended and reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 772 on diabetes management in schools, which would allow districts to obtain and store glucagon for emergency use by trained school staff or nurses, with liability protections included. SB 1102 on school readiness programs for children with disabilities passed after testimony that it would expand identification of disabilities, require more training for providers, and direct special-needs funding toward better-supported classrooms. SB 1382, also on school readiness, was approved and would change the definition of economically disadvantaged families, adjust priority tiers, and update the waitlist and forecasting process for child care assistance. The most debated measure was SB 140, which was substantially rewritten by delete-all amendment to create “job engine charter schools,” allow municipalities to seek charter schools aimed at attracting industry, authorize parent votes for conversion of existing public schools, and set requirements for district five-year property plans and surplus property use, including affordable housing and charter school purposes. Supporters argued it could aid economic development and repurpose underused property, while opponents raised concerns about privatization, reduced stakeholder input, unclear voting procedures, and loss of district control over property. Despite extensive debate and multiple public speakers against it, the bill passed favorably. The committee also approved SB 430, a merged AED and cardiac emergency response bill requiring public schools to have a cardiac emergency plan, trained staff, and an operational AED in a publicized location, with reimbursement provisions and liability protections; it passed after supporters emphasized life-saving benefits and manageable training costs. The committee adjourned after recording additional members’ votes on selected bills.