Transcript Highlights:

• Request. Yeah. And Representative Cortez, good afternoon.
• Representative Cortez, 38th Legislative District. Awesome.
• We do have a request.
• I'm representing the Third Legislative District, which is in Spokane. Thank you.
• I'm Representative Ortiz-Self from the 21st Legislative District. Awesome.

Summary: The committee began with a work session on juvenile rehabilitation institution capacity, services, and staffing. DCYF Assistant Secretary Jennifer Redmond described overcrowding at Green Hill School and Echo Glen, driven by longer adult-style sentences extending past age 25, limited community placements, and small facility sizes. She said Green Hill remains above safe operating capacity, but staffing, injuries, large-scale aggression, and use-of-force incidents have improved over the past year. She also discussed Harbor Heights, a new 46-bed flex facility that had opened with 22 youth and would expand once a medical trailer arrives, as well as community transition services, vocational programming, behavior management reforms, and a request for more resources for mental health-focused facilities and staffing. Members asked about success metrics, developmental disability screening and supports, college access at Echo Glen, Mission Creek planning, and gender-responsive programming; Redmond said JR uses assessments, family involvement, and specialized living units, and that some requested funding had already been secured for returning a girls’ program at Echo Glen. The committee then heard from Team Child and the Youth Action Coalition. Greta Schultz said youth perspectives should guide system reforms and identified key concerns: overuse of sentence extensions, underuse of community transition services, continued criminal referrals from Green Hill to Lewis County, limited family contact, inadequate mental health access, and unequal education opportunities, especially for young women at Echo Glen. Justella Gonzalez, a former system-involved youth, said her time in county and state facilities was harmful, with staff mistreatment, poor education, limited therapy access, and humiliating restraint practices; she also said girls at Echo Glen lacked the same college opportunities as boys at Green Hill. Committee members asked for follow-up on county versus state experiences and on telehealth mental health services. The next presentation covered county-level services for youth involved or at risk of involvement with the justice system, led by juvenile court administrators Christine Simon-Smeyer and Judge Rachel Anderson. They outlined the juvenile court continuum from prevention and truancy work through diversion, detention alternatives, community supervision, and disposition alternatives, emphasizing evidence-based, trauma-informed, and restorative practices. Clark County was used as an example of a court that partners closely with schools and community providers, uses risk assessments and wraparound behavioral health probation, and offers detention alternatives without electronic home monitoring. They said most courts do not use detention for status offenses, but instead use court involvement to connect youth to services. They also described funding, noting that courts rely on a mix of state block grant and local dollars, and that recent cuts to early intervention funding reduced programming and staff hours. Members asked about detention for truancy, developmental disability identification, restorative justice practices, and the juvenile block grant. Finally, DCYF Assistant Secretary Nicole Rose and Katie Warren of the Washington State Association of Head Start and ECAP discussed child care and early learning impacts from recent policy and budget changes. Rose said Fair Start for Kids investments had increased child care access, provider participation, and kindergarten readiness, with more than 60,000 children in Working Connections care and rising ECAP enrollment and provider capacity. She said recent reductions will raise most family copays in 2026, delay eligibility expansions, eliminate some expanded eligibility categories, reduce ECAP slots by about 3,000, delay entitlement timelines, and cut provider supports such as rate increases for centers, complex-needs grants, trauma-informed and dual-language incentives, and infant/early childhood mental health consultation. Warren emphasized ECAP’s role in family stability, workforce participation, and reducing poverty, and noted its two-generation approach to supporting both children and parents.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the committee on rules on legislative the committee on rules on legislative Administration<00:11
• </c> the annual lccmr bill which appropriates the annual lccmr bill which appropriates money<00:14:55.079
• Representative Nash said this is a request from the LCC to eliminate the Legislative Commission on Minnesota
• from the LCC to eliminate the request from the LCC to eliminate the legislative<00:24:47.760><c> Commission
• </c> speaker this is an agency Bill requested speaker this is an agency Bill requested by<00:26:24.799

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• >> For appropriations at this time, that's all we have in appropriations. >> Thank you, gentlemen.
• </c> I as a taxpayer, not as a legislator I as a taxpayer, not as a legislator only,<01:37:01.199><c>
• </c> the appropriate time. I call it up. the appropriate time. I call it up.
• </c> piece of legislation? piece of legislation?
• </c> legislation, gentlemen. legislation, gentlemen.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 5 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:34:38.679><c> in</c> mandate like some of the legislation in mandate like some of the legislation
• </c> came to me as their state legislator came to me as their state legislator because because because
• I’m bringing this bipartisan legislation forward at the request of the New Hampshire Association of Special
• </c><00:55:18.680><c> of</c> legislation forward at the request of legislation forward at the request
• </c><01:09:56.679><c> that's</c> bipartisan piece of legislation that's bipartisan piece of legislation

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That really is not appropriate, and we should do better there. And I would like to.
• You're putting the appropriate guard rolls around it.
• And that goes for not just in the legislative process, but also in the military.
• I think it's appropriate. I think all the questions are very fair.
• But I do think that this is appropriate.

Committee: Senate Education Pre-K - 12

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee considered and reported favorably several bills. SB 1036, as amended, addressed the shortage of school counselors by clarifying certification requirements; SB 1136, as amended by a delete-all amendment, authorized non-invasive dental screenings in schools as part of preventive dental programs with parent notice and exemption procedures; and SB 920 proposed applied algebra courses tied to technical skills and career pathways while still requiring students to pass the Algebra I end-of-course exam. Each of these bills was supported in committee and passed favorably. The committee also approved SB 178, as amended, to allow coaches to provide good-faith support to student-athletes, such as food, transportation, and recovery services, with reporting requirements and a $15,000 annual cap per team; members discussed the need for guardrails to prevent recruiting abuse and noted possible expansion beyond FHSAA. SB 1216, on educator compensation, would give districts more flexibility to use compensation tools beyond the current rigid framework, and it was reported favorably with support from members citing retention and inflation concerns. The committee also adopted SPB 7022, which reenacts and extends a public records exemption for certain examination and assessment instruments to 2031 and expands coverage to district school boards and public schools. Later, SB 464 was reported favorably to require all school districts to formally observe Veterans Day as a school holiday. Members debated whether schools should be closed or could instead hold programs or professional development, but the bill advanced with support emphasizing consistency and honoring veterans. Finally, SB 538, as amended, established standardized participation rules for extracurricular activities across public, private, virtual, and home education students, addressed participation fees and multiple-school participation, and allowed districts to determine coaches’ compensation. The committee adjourned after recording an additional favorable vote on SB 1036 by Senator Osgood.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a roll call for the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee for June 4, 2006.
• We just want to, again, thank you for posting this legislation.
• with this legislation to allow public school districts some much-needed flexibility.
• We'd like to see this legislation. I believe it's S3249 led by Senator Turner.
• I respectfully urge you to vote yes and advance this legislation. Thank you for your time.

Committee: Senate Senate Budget and Appropriations

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh that this is a DCCA requested bill.
• </c><00:54:11.359><c> to</c><00:54:11.599><c> every</c> respond appropriately to every respond appropriately
• </c><00:58:36.000><c> uh</c> personnel to be able to appropriate uh personnel to be able to appropriate
• </c> before us, HP2057, making appropriation before us, HP2057, making appropriation to<01:01:56.319>
• </c> placeholder amount for an appropriation placeholder amount for an appropriation for<02:23:03.920

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1588, which would establish a Department of Transportation noise detection program using cameras to enforce noise control laws. DOT supported the measure and said it is already piloting the technology at eight locations, with about 10 sites costing roughly $2 million to $2.5 million to install and operate. The Department of Health said it was willing to work with DOT but noted its current regulations are not designed for vehicular noise sources and that the bill may need clearer standards to be enforceable. Members raised concerns about the lack of a specific decibel threshold and whether the system could accurately identify the source of noise; DOT said the pilot can pinpoint vehicles and that the program would align with existing health standards, but no final number was identified during the hearing. The committee then heard HB 1696, which lowers the minimum age for a commercial driver’s license from 19 to 18 and removes a restriction tied to vehicle category, while requiring DOT rule changes. DOT, the City and County of Honolulu, the Hawaii Transportation Association, Teamsters Local 996, and other stakeholders testified in support. The Hawaii Transportation Association suggested adding a training requirement for drivers ages 18 to 20, proposing at least 320 hours of employer training and recordkeeping. Members sought clarification that the bill would apply to intrastate, not interstate, licensing. For HB 233, the committee considered a measure authorizing DOT to designate airport special district zones statewide to prevent unauthorized access and improve security. DOT and the City and County of Honolulu supported the bill, explaining that defined boundaries would help law enforcement address trespassing, disruptions, fires, theft, harassment, and other incidents around airports and terminals; DOT said commercial airports are ready to implement the proposal, while some general aviation sites would need further work. Members asked about the scope of the boundaries, existing enforcement, and whether the measure would cover state-owned or non-state parcels near airports. The committee also heard HB 2332, which renames the Harbors Division as the Commercial Ports Division and distinguishes “harbor” from “port” in statute. DOT, the Maritime Group, and harbor users supported the bill, saying the change would reduce confusion between commercial cargo/cruise facilities and recreational small boat harbors, and could help with clarity and possibly federal grant competitiveness. Members asked about impacts on small boat harbors and cruise activity, and DOT explained that the bill is aimed at purpose-built commercial ports, not recreational facilities. The committee also took testimony on HB 2283, which clarifies DOT’s consultative role with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs in setting port pilotage standards and requirements. DOT, DCCA, Matson, the Hawaii Pilots Association, and others supported the measure, saying it would improve coordination and ensure pilot licensing standards reflect operational realities in the harbors. Finally, after a recess, the committee heard HB 2217, which would allow driver’s permits, licenses, and ID cards to include a notation for a non-apparent disability. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities opposed the bill as drafted, saying voluntary alternatives such as Smart 911 may be better and that the category is too broad. The Attorney General’s office supported the intent but recommended limiting the notation to medically recognized, specifically defined conditions so agencies can train personnel and avoid confusion or escalation.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is significant precedent in our state for this type of request.
• And that is what those appropriations are for.
• The significance of this legislation cannot be overstated.
• The legislation also conflicts...
• There are significant issues with the legislation.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Labor

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So our request is for a new animal hospital building: $17,675,000 is the request.
• our asset preservation is the request our asset preservation request<00:10:19.640><c> is</c><00:10:19.800
• </c><00:59:50.000><c> on</c> our uh Capital uh funds requests on our uh Capital uh funds requests on
• </c> delivery so in the 2025 legislative delivery so in the 2025 legislative session<01:22:03.440><c>
• If you look back at what has been appropriated, the 20-year average appropriated somewhere around $5

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• No, but that’s not the appropriate place for that. This is for budget requests.
• There are budget requests, yes.
• Our next request is similar.
• We have four requests there.
• So this is not a request; it's not part of this request.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that the intent behind the legislation that the intent behind the legislation is<00:55:30.599><c
• </c><01:24:52.480><c> from</c> saying we never got any requests from saying we never got any requests
• </c> with your time frame for legislating with your time frame for legislating okay<01:43:40.159><c>
• </c> on I'm with um in expediate to legislate on I'm with um in expediate to legislate I<03:40:12.720
• </c><03:50:20.279><c> for</c> submit the request for submit the request for approval so<03:50:27.640>

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of the learning process for legislators of the learning process for legislators that<00:30:58.159
• </c><00:32:52.360><c> it</c> necessary we respectfully requested it necessary we respectfully requested
• </c> same job um and so it is appropriate same job um and so it is appropriate that<01:46:04.280><c>
• </c><02:03:12.280><c> or</c> blanket ceiling would be appropriate or blanket ceiling would be appropriate
• Then so that request at that point in time, that detainer request, the problem with that is that I have

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs met on February 19, 2025, and first heard House Bill 150, which would prohibit lending a firearm to someone who does not have a firearm permit or a registered firearm. The Department of Law Enforcement and the Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, though HPD said enforcing any time limit on a loaned firearm would be difficult. Several members of the public opposed the measure, arguing it would interfere with lawful lending for hunting, competitions, training, military-related use, and family situations, and could create unintended criminal liability. One supporter said the bill would strengthen gun safety and encourage more responsible ownership. No vote was taken during the testimony portion described. The committee then heard House Bill 186, which would make harassment by stalking a class C felony. The Office of the Public Defender requested deferral, arguing the bill would remove a misdemeanor option that can help deter escalation and could be unnecessarily severe and burdensome. Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying stalking can be a precursor to more serious violence. The Hawaiʻi State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney raised concerns about how the new felony would fit within the existing grading scheme, noting that aggravated harassment by stalking and first-degree terroristic threatening are already class C felonies. April Bautista testified in strong support, describing her own experience with domestic violence and stalking and urging passage of the bill. Committee members discussed whether other penalty structures might be possible, but no final action was taken in the portion provided. The committee also heard House Bill 991, which would delete the term “agent of the contractor” from criminal history record check provisions to comply with FBI requirements. The Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center supported the bill with comments, explaining that the FBI had found the term too broad for fingerprint-based background checks tied to access to federal tax information. In addition, House Bill 995 was introduced, changing deadlines for annual firearms carry reporting; the Department of the Attorney General supported it, saying the revised deadlines would allow a more complete report, and HPD was also heard on the measure. The transcript ends before any votes or final committee actions on these bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Appropriated for dementia grants.
• And data sharing, governor's request.
• And some of the 2024 legislation, the meter records.
• This is specific areas where there are specific legislation that we have put in the system.
• I spoke with you on March 18th about our request for some additional funding.

Bills: HF2434

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding

Transcript Highlights:

• We are very concerned that while that was one of the primary requests at the outset of the process of
• Both these provisions in the current legislation.
• And so those are the three areas we would like to see included in this legislation.
• And so those are the three areas we would like to see included in this legislation.
• Is the proposed legislation adequate, or do you think you can deal with the other proposed Legislation

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Aging and Independence

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Aging and Independence held a hearing on two assisted living bills, Senate 3057 and House 5376, which would create an Assisted Living Residence Trust Fund to support certification staffing, compliance reviews, complaint investigations, ombudsman services, public reporting, appeals, and oversight. Testimony from MassALA, AARP, and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman generally supported the bills and the dedicated funding stream, but MassALA urged amendments to expand career pathways for staff through certified medication aides and to add guardrails on the use of fines as a funding source. The Ombudsman supported the fund and emphasized the need for additional staffing to better serve the state’s assisted living residents. Committee members asked for draft amendment language, and the chairs indicated they were open to further discussion, especially on fines and CMA language. The committee then heard testimony on Senate 3056 and House 5243 regarding medication administration in rest homes. Providers, including the Massachusetts Association of Residential Care Homes, LeadingAge Massachusetts, and several rest home operators, opposed proposed Department of Public Health changes that would eliminate the long-standing “responsible person” model and move rest homes toward the Medication Administration Program (MAP). Witnesses said the current model has been used for decades, is tailored to rest homes, and is essential to affordability, staffing stability, and resident continuity of care; they warned that replacing it with MAP or nurse-only administration would raise costs, worsen workforce shortages, and could force closures or resident displacement. They asked the committee to support legislation preserving responsible persons’ authority to administer medications while improving training and oversight. Committee members asked questions about the history of the responsible person model, how medication administration works day to day, whether other states use similar systems, and whether data exist comparing medication error rates under MAP and the current model. The chairs said they were still reviewing building-code-related recommendations raised in the assisted living discussion and noted that some issues might be better addressed through a task force. The hearing concluded after testimony and questions, and the committee voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, a university may receive federal grants that are not appropriated through the budget process
• This particular category does take up 23% of the total appropriation for the 2024-2025 academic year.
• The EASE program accounts for 11% of the total appropriation, which equates to $134 million.
• As a result of the 2023 legislative session, this program became a student financial aid program for
• And that's a cornerstone of our legislative budget request, which you'll get around to at subsequent

Summary: The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee met for an introductory overview of the higher education programs under its jurisdiction. After roll call and member introductions, Chair Busatta outlined that the subcommittee oversees programs in the Department of Education and the State University System, including vocational rehabilitation, blind services, private postsecondary licensure, student financial aid, career and adult education, the Florida College System, and the Board of Governors. The chair and staff also noted that these areas represent roughly $9 billion in current-year funding. Officials from the Department of Education presented on several programs. Vocational Rehabilitation Director Kelly Rogers described services for adults and youth with disabilities, including pre-employment transition services, job coaching, assistive technology, and employer support; she said the program served more than 55,000 people last year, has no wait list, and reported a return of $7.61 to the economy for every $1 invested. Division of Blind Services Director Robert Doyle explained services from birth through older adulthood, including early intervention, school-age support, vocational rehabilitation, independent living, the Business Enterprise Program for blind vendors, and the Braille and Talking Book Library; he said the division serves about 12,000 people annually and also has no wait list, though some community rehab providers may have one. Tiffany Hurst of the Commission for Independent Education described licensure and consumer protection for independent postsecondary institutions, reporting oversight of about 1,100 institutions and 721 non-degree schools, along with enforcement actions against unlicensed operators. Sean Haskin of Student Financial Assistance reviewed 22 scholarship and grant programs totaling about $1 billion for more than 200,000 students, including Bright Futures, Benacquisto, need-based grants, EASE, EASE Plus, veterans’ scholarships, dual enrollment reimbursement, first responder scholarships, and the Ocoee and Rosewood scholarships. Members asked about surplus funds, marketing, Bright Futures eligibility requirements, and whether EASE awards had changed; Haskin said any unused funds are reverted to the Legislature, that the department markets through schools and the Florida Lottery, and that EASE remained at $3,500 per FTE for the last two fiscal years. Several members raised concerns that students and parents may not learn about aid programs early enough, especially in economically disadvantaged communities. Chancellor Kevin O’Farrell then presented on Career and Adult Education, highlighting record participation in career and technical education, adult education, and apprenticeship. He said about 800,000 secondary students and 480,000 postsecondary students are in CTE, adult education serves about 183,000 learners, and apprenticeship/pre-apprenticeship programs include more than 22,000 participants. He also described the workforce development fund, Perkins, WIOA Title II, the Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant, workforce capitalization grants, CAPE performance funding, and the Pipeline nursing initiative, noting strong NCLEX outcomes and expanded outreach through the Get There, Your Way, Future of Work Florida, and Zello platforms. Kathy Hebda began the Florida College System presentation by emphasizing open access, workforce preparation, statewide reach, and strong enrollment and completion growth, including more than 672,000 students, over 131,000 degrees and certificates, and significant dual enrollment savings for students and families.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:06:42.919><c> but</c><00:06:43.199><c> as</c> lot of Appropriations but as lot of Appropriations
• </c> about $20 million of the Appropriations about $20 million of the Appropriations and<00:08:09.960
• </c> interestingly the in this appropriation interestingly the in this appropriation interestingly<00
• arts, we felt like it was appropriate for us to request one-third of that fund for history across the
• arts, we felt like it was appropriate for us to request one-third of that fund for history across the

Bills: HF1250

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Keywords: outdoor heritage, land acquisition, wildlife management, conservation easements, environmental restoration, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So as Braden already spoke to, these two pieces of legislation work together.
• So as Braden already spoke to, these two pieces of legislation work together.
• Thank you, legislators, for your support of this program.
• Fiscal year 2026 supplemental request, line item 4.13 in our budget: the Commission is requesting to
• In addition to creating the fund, the enhancement requests a $12,900 T&B appropriation to address an

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Summary: The House Agricultural Affairs Committee began by approving the minutes from February 12, 2026, and then briefly recognized Idaho FFA state officers and Hadley Brown, a Homedale student who had won the national FFA creed speaking contest. The officers described FFA’s classroom, leadership, and supervised agricultural experience model, their statewide leadership events, community service hours, and the value of agricultural education. Brown then recited the FFA Creed and discussed the competition process from chapter to national level, drawing praise from committee members. The committee then heard House Bill 503, which would place the Idaho Soil and Water Conservation Commission within the Idaho Department of Water Resources. Representative Dustin Manwaring said the bill was intended to improve administrative efficiency, reduce duplication, and save about $107,000 while preserving the commission’s non-regulatory, locally led mission. Testimony from the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation and the Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts said they had initially had concerns but were now neutral or supportive because Senate Concurrent Resolution 115 would reaffirm the commission’s independence and voluntary conservation role. Director Matt Weaver said the process had been credible and that the merger could work if statutory duties and resources were preserved. The committee voted to send HB 503 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. The committee then considered Senate Concurrent Resolution 115, introduced by Representative Steve Miller, who spoke about his long background in agriculture and conservation districts and argued that local control and independence were essential. Members emphasized that the resolution should accompany HB 503 to protect the commission’s mission. The committee voted to send SCR 115 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. Finally, committee members received a report from the Soil and Water Conservation Commission and the Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts on district services, conservation programs, and budget needs, including CREP, WACPA, and local project funding. The Idaho Wheat Commission also presented its annual update on grower-funded research, market development, education, export activity, and challenges facing wheat producers, including low prices, high input costs, misinformation about wheat, and farmer mental health. The meeting adjourned after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> piece of legislation. piece of legislation.
• Uh, members of the Appropriations Committee received testimony from the Education Committee and Legislative
• :25:33.680><c> on</c> appropriate your Committee on appropriate your Committee on Appropriations<00:25
• </c> legislative day. legislative day.
• </c> Senate Bill 298 for one legislative day. Senate Bill 298 for one legislative day.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, I am State Senator Victoria Hunt from the 5th Legislative District.
• State Senator Steve Conway representing the 29th Legislative District.
• The fourth bill on the agenda is Engrossed Senate Bill 6058, which is also L&I request legislation.
• Fourth bill on the agenda is engross Senate Bill 60-58, which is also L&I request legislation.
• I am very proud to urge a yes vote on this piece of legislation today.

Bills: SB6134 , SB6136 , SB6188

Committee: House Labor & Workplace Standards

Keywords: unemployment insurance, UI benefits, striking workers, strike, labor dispute, retroactive wages, overpayment assessment, overpayment recovery, Employment Security Department, ESD, claimant notice, benefit recoupment, Washington unemployment law, worker notice, federal unemployment tax credit, state unemployment fund, workers' compensation, industrial insurance, premium rates, rate transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• The ones in statute, many of them do have appropriations.
• If they got a recent appropriation, or sometimes they got an initial appropriation to establish the center
• We have our focused ultrasound as part of a community project funding request in the House Appropriations
• , chairman of higher education appropriations.
• As the appropriator, chairman of Higher Education Appropriations, I can say what we want to see is how

Committee: Senate Education Postsecondary

Summary: The Education Postsecondary Committee held its first meeting and focused on state university centers and institutes, with an overview from the Board of Governors on how the more than 500 centers and institutes across Florida’s public universities are categorized, overseen, and reported. The Board described three categories: state-level centers, legislatively established centers, and university-established centers. Members were told universities must maintain policies, notify the Board of changes, publish public inventories, and submit annual reports and compliance certifications. Senator Harrell asked about funding sources and whether underperforming centers are reviewed for elimination; the response was that funding varies by center and that universities decide whether to maintain or disband centers under their own policies, with annual reporting and audit findings shared with the Board. Four university presentations followed. Florida Atlantic University highlighted its Center of Excellence in Biomedical and Marine Biotechnology, describing research in marine-derived drug discovery, genomics, imaging, cancer, neurodegenerative disease, and ocean sustainability, along with spin-off institutes and partnerships that have generated significant grant and contract support. FIU presented its Center of Excellence for Hurricane Damage Mitigation and Product Development, emphasizing the Wall of Wind facility, hurricane and water intrusion testing, code and product innovation, insurance modeling, and future expansion toward higher wind speeds and flood simulation. Florida State University’s High-Performance Materials Institute described work in advanced materials, aerospace composites, sensors, nanocomposites, and AI-enabled materials development, along with patents, industry partnerships, and new facilities tied to economic development. The University of Florida’s Lastinger Center for Learning outlined its work on teacher professional learning, literacy, New Worlds Reading, tutoring, and mathematics supports, including microcredentials, statewide book distribution, and early results showing improved reading confidence and growth. Members generally praised the centers for their research, commercialization, workforce development, and education impacts. Senator Jones and Senator Harrell commended the Lastinger Center’s literacy work and the broader return on investment from these programs, while Senator Berman noted the value of the synergies across institutions. The chair emphasized that future funding requests should clearly show measurable success, commercialization, and statewide impact. The committee then adjourned without any formal votes on legislation.