Transcript Highlights:

• witnesses in support and two lead witnesses in opposition to speak for no more than two minutes each
• This individual review and articulation process leads to scenarios where it is possible for students
• This individual review and articulation process leads to scenarios where it is possible for students
• And thank you to your lead witnesses as well.
• And we, especially here in California, have an obligation to lead.

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And your answers this morning, this afternoon, I think, will lead us in the right direction.
• Uterine fibroids research will hopefully lead to expansion in treatment options and lead to more accurate
• Without early diagnosis and treatment, this condition can lead to rapid liver damage and, ultimately,
• It affects one of every 10,000 to 18,000 live births in the U.S., and it's the leading cause of early
• It affects one of every 10,000 to 18,000 live births in the U.S., and it's the leading cause of early

Bills: S0688 , S1414 , S0186 , S0902 , S0196 , S1574 , S0878 , S1092 , S1032 , S1684 , S1686 , S1760

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Keywords: cytomegalovirus, education, maternal health, newborn care, infectious diseases, student health, epilepsy, seizure disorders, school safety, training requirements, medical marijuana, low-THC cannabis, neurofibromatosis, healthcare, state regulations, child care facilities, public safety, grant program, uterine fibroids, health database

Summary: The committee took up several health-related bills and confirmations. It first heard SB 1414 on congenital cytomegalovirus education, which would require the Department of Health to develop and distribute educational materials to expectant and new parents through maternity, prenatal, newborn, and OB-GYN settings; an amendment removed a section on required instruction for medical professionals, and the bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. The committee then approved a block of appointees on tabs 2 through 7 and separately confirmed Chavon Harris as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration after her testimony on Medicaid accountability, transparency, managed care oversight, rural health, behavioral health, and the state’s technology modernization efforts. Senators asked Harris about Hope Florida, Medicaid redeterminations, the CORE project, an anti-marijuana ad campaign at DCF, and compliance with a federal Medicaid-related court order; she said she would follow up on some issues. The confirmation was recommended favorably, with Senator Berman voting no. The committee next passed SB 186 on student health and safety, which expands epilepsy and seizure-disorder training requirements to more school personnel, including bus drivers and charter school staff, and requires seizure-first-aid posters and updated Department of Health education efforts. It also approved SB 902 on Department of Health issues after amendments narrowed the bill’s scope and added provisions on medical marijuana regulation, early childhood intervention, practitioner accountability, and autism workforce development; one speaker raised concerns about marijuana dispensary location restrictions and low-THC ratios. SB 196 creating a uterine fibroid research database was also reported favorably after an amendment protecting patient privacy; the bill drew emotional testimony from a patient describing severe symptoms and the need for more research. SB 688 on naturopathic medicine was approved after committee discussion about scope of practice, referral obligations, and whether naturopathic care should be adjunctive to conventional medicine; supporters described complementary care and access issues, while opponents worried about delayed treatment for serious disease. Later, the committee passed SB 1574, “Maddie’s Law,” to add biliary atresia screening to newborn screening using the same blood specimen already collected at birth and to launch an education campaign; parents of a child affected by the disease testified that earlier screening could have prevented severe harm. SB 878 on clinical laboratory personnel was reported favorably to address staffing shortages by allowing Florida to rely more directly on federal CLIA standards for qualified lab workers. SB 1092 on podiatric medicine was approved after an amendment narrowed it to cellular/tissue-based products and podiatrists’ use of certain therapies; the bill also addresses continuing education, informed consent, and advertising disclosures. SB 1032 on medical marijuana was amended and passed, aligning physician certification and card renewal timelines, setting 70-day and 35-day supply limits, and reducing the fee for honorably discharged veterans while preserving funding for FAMU; Senator Harrell opposed it, saying the longer timeframes were too much of an expansion. The committee also heard SB 1760 on Medicaid coverage transparency from Senator Brodeur, who said the bill focuses on accountability and fiscal responsibility, but the transcript cuts off before further discussion or action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's why because I think DFA should lead when it comes to financial matters, by example.
• And so, if we don't tamper that now, this will lead to a big fight during the session.
• First, on the emergency executive order: DHSEM is sort of the lead agency.
• I think they are the leads for the governor's office. Okay, thank you for that.
• Leads into this discussion today that, you know, we need to do better.

Transcript Highlights:

• Greg, are you leading this? Yes. Okay. So, Greg, please go ahead. Thank you, Mr.
• There are two lead, two of them have most of the New Mexico market share.
• To more effectively lead our process related to supporting and training our school board members.
• David Vincent here, who will be leading the presentation. He is currently.
• Training isn't just a checkbox, it's an investment that helps boards lead with clarity and confidence

Transcript Highlights:

• Which leads me to the next part of it: Back in 2017 or 2018, you all as a legislature voted to match
• me to the next from Kentucky which leads me to the next part<00:21:54.240><c> of</c><00:21:54.400><c
• </c><00:31:51.600><c> an</c><00:31:51.760><c> Easter</c><00:31:52.039><c> sales</c> honor of leading
• an Easter sales honor of leading an Easter sales affiliate<00:31:53.320><c> of</c><00:31:53.559><c> all
• Sometimes that would lead to a little bit of bloodletting when a new governor came in, so it provides

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Roll Call 00:24 SB 3 Discussion 01:06 SB 3 Vote 04:51 SB 15 Discussion 07:14 SB 15 Vote 14:42 SB 103 Discussion 15:39 SB 103 Vote 33:53 SB 201 Discussion 35:44 SB 201 Vote 39:47, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Economic Development and Workforce Investment met with a quorum and first considered Senate Bill 3, relating to student athletes and NIL. Senator Max Wise said the bill would modernize Kentucky’s NIL framework so universities remain competitive and student-athletes can benefit, noting the state’s earlier NIL law and the need to act before a pending national settlement. Several members supported the bill but expressed concern that NIL has changed college athletics and could eventually affect high school sports. The committee reported Senate Bill 3 favorably. The committee then took up Senate Bill 15, relating to minimum wage exceptions for minor league baseball players. Senator Amanda Bledsoe and MLB representative Josh Allen explained that the bill would align Kentucky law with the players’ collective bargaining agreement, treating the players as salaried rather than hourly workers and addressing overtime issues. Members discussed the minimum weekly salaries at Single-A and Triple-A, along with housing, meals, and health benefits under the agreement. The committee adopted a committee substitute, passed a title amendment, and reported Senate Bill 15 favorably. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 103, which concerns the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and services for people with disabilities. Senator Danny Carroll and provider advocates said the bill would add regulatory oversight, require reporting to the legislature and governor, and give preference to in-state services when available, while preserving access to out-of-state services when needed. Testimony focused on Kentucky’s low employment ranking for people with disabilities, unused federal funds, provider funding concerns, and an OVR order of selection that would limit services to the most severe cases. The committee adopted a committee substitute and reported Senate Bill 103 favorably after supportive comments from members about the program’s impact on employment and quality of life.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lead sponsor.
• Diet pills can lead to many other things.
• Getting these dieting pills can really affect their body and their mental health, which will lead to
• This often leads people to choose larger franchises due to affordability.
• This often leads people to choose to larger franchises due to affordability.

Committee: All GIRLS STATE

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then that leads potentially to the en banc and review process.
• And then that leads potentially to the en banc and review process.
• The fact that somebody had feelings, had thoughts that could lead them to commit a crime, I think,...
• , had thoughts that could lead them to commit a crime, I think, is an extremely important factor.
• We trust the commissioners before us to uphold that standard, to make decisions with integrity, lead

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is a professor of rhetoric and writing and director of the writing program at UC Davis, and he is leading
• is a professor of rhetoric and writing and director of the writing program at UC Davis, and he is leading
• And we are well positioned, actually, to lead those conversations.
• And we are well positioned, actually, to lead those conversations.
• I mean, we can lead DGS to drink, to the lemonade, but we can't make you drink.

Summary: The subcommittee first heard a presentation on ongoing funding for the California Education Learning Lab. The Learning Lab described its intersegmental grant-making work with UC, CSU, and community college faculty, including projects on AI, math alignment, and open educational resources. The administration proposed moving the program’s administrative home from the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation to GovOps and restoring $4 million annually. The Department of Finance supported the proposal as a way to improve coordination, while the LAO recommended rejecting it, arguing the program is difficult to scale, overlaps with existing campus and segment-wide professional development, and could be wound down to save General Fund dollars. Senators split on the issue: some emphasized the program’s role in fostering innovation and cross-segment collaboration, while others questioned its measurable outcomes and whether it addresses problems rooted in K-12 preparation. The item was held open without a vote. The committee then considered funding for the new Office of Civil Rights within GovOps, created to implement AB 715 and SB 48. The proposal sought $3.5 million in 2026-27 and $2.8 million ongoing to staff the office, provide training and technical assistance to local educational agencies, and help track discrimination complaints through the Department of Education’s uniform complaint process. Finance said the office was being stood up administratively, but many positions were still unfilled; the LAO had no concerns and said the proposal simply implements recent legislation. Senators raised concerns about the office’s placement in GovOps, the lack of guidance while the office is not yet operational, the potential duplication with CDE processes, and whether staffing levels and coordinator roles match the volume and type of complaints. The department said it would adjust resources as workload becomes clearer and that first-year goals would include hiring staff, developing materials, and beginning outreach. The item was held open. After public comment and votes on several vote-only items, the committee heard from the Office of Data and Innovation on a request for five positions and $1.25 million in reimbursement authority. ODI said it uses data science, design, and engineering to improve state services, citing work on EBT theft detection and forecasting community water system outages. Finance had no comment, and the LAO supported the reimbursement model. Senators generally praised ODI’s small but high-impact role and asked about privacy safeguards for vendor AI tools; ODI said it uses state guardrails, enterprise contracts, and coordination with CDT to protect data. The item was held open. The Department of Technology then presented on the Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative, reporting progress on the 8,100-mile network, including 423 miles already complete and more than 70% permitted. CDT said it had selected Skyline Technology Solutions as operator and expected about 5,300 miles completed by December 2026, with some miles possibly slipping into 2027. The LAO noted most of the $3.8 billion appropriated has been encumbered, but raised concerns about the new three-party operating structure and long-term sustainability. Senators asked about accountability, the need for a two-year extension of liquidation authority, and whether revenues will cover operating costs. CDT said the extension is a precaution to allow for final reallocations if needed, that CDT retains ultimate responsibility, and that it expects the network to be self-sustaining over time through service revenues and lease arrangements. The department committed to continued reporting through annual reports, advisory committees, and briefings.

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, I'll turn to our lead witnesses here.
• Lead witnesses in opposition? See none? Anyone want to testify just as a me-to in opposition? No?
• Any lead witnesses in opposition? Welcome. You have two minutes. Won't take me that long.
• Any lead witnesses in opposition? Welcome. You have two minutes. It won't take me that long.
• Do we have any lead witnesses in opposition? Anyone else in opposition wants to comment?

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That leads to missed opportunities for enrollment, duplicative efforts, and, most concerning, people
• As a result, transitioning out of a uniform frequently does not always lead to immediate employment.
• Do you have any opposition lead witnesses? Any opposition me too's? Let's see, none.
• If there are any lead witnesses in opposition, please come forward.
• Thank you. the mic we will now allow for any lead witnesses in opposition there are any lead witnesses

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank you and your staff for coordinating the Urock team's lead-up to today's hearing.
• I also want to thank Governor Newsom. ...teams leading up to today's hearing.
• We will only take one lead witness on this bill. You may proceed. Good morning.
• We've seen this in practice when new systems are rolled out without front-line input; it often leads
• And I want to see how you plan to lead in this discussion.

Committee: Senate Governmental Organization

Summary: The committee began with an informational hearing on the second amendment to the tribal-state gaming compact with the Yurok Tribe. Governor’s office staff and Yurok Tribal Chairman Joseph James explained that the amendment is a narrow, technical one that extends the existing 2006 compact through December 31 to preserve the status quo while longer-term negotiations continue. Members asked about the compact process and why Bureau of Indian Affairs approval is not needed for a simple extension; staff said only substantive compact changes require federal approval. No vote was taken on the informational item. The committee then heard AB 2156, which would designate March 31 as Farm Workers’ Day in California. Supporters, including the authors’ representatives and members of the committee, described the bill as a way to honor farmworkers and the broader farmworker movement, especially in light of recent allegations involving the holiday’s prior namesake. The bill was moved on a due pass motion to the floor. The committee also approved several consent calendar items and later advanced SB 1044, which raises the small business procurement cap from $250,000 to $350,000 and indexes it to inflation; supporters from the Hispanic and Asian Pacific chambers of commerce and veteran business groups said the change would expand access to state contracts for small, micro, and disabled veteran-owned businesses. That bill was sent to Appropriations. Senator Cabaldon presented SB 1114, which would restrict state agencies from sharing LGBTQ-related SOGI and intersex data with federal agencies except where legally required. Equality California and other supporters said the bill would protect trust and prevent misuse of sensitive data, while no opposition testified. The committee passed the bill to Privacy. Cabaldon also presented SB 1248 on automated decision systems in state government, arguing it would create baseline guardrails, require human review for adverse decisions, and improve service delivery. Labor groups opposed it, saying the bill authorizes use before establishing enforceable standards and that workers were not adequately included in stakeholder discussions. After extensive debate about AI, collective bargaining, and implementation, the committee voted to send the bill to Privacy. The committee also advanced SB 1273, which would allow short-form social media videos to promote instructional events at wineries, and SB 917, which would loosen farmers’ market rules so more small wineries can sell wine there; both were supported by wine industry representatives and sent forward on due pass motions. The transcript then began SB 1240, which would create an Office of Nonprofit Empowerment to help nonprofits navigate state procurement, grants, and payment systems, with strong support from nonprofit organizations.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that is why California must always lead. With that, I respectfully ask for your aye vote.
• Why California must always lead. With that, I respectfully ask for your aye vote.
• We in California will continue to lead with courage, defend our democratic values, and stand with the
• We know, based on copious amounts of research, that diversity, equity, and inclusion programs lead to
• She built a remarkable career in staffing and recruitment, leading a prestigious firm in Washington,

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a harmless drug that might even bring net health benefits and also said the legalization might not lead
• Be prepared to lead with it.
• Chamber, for the Governor on the second floor, when you're coming up for reelection, be prepared to lead
• Be prepared to lead with it.
• Chamber, for the Governor on the second floor, when you're coming up for reelection, be prepared to lead

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate first handled routine business, approving the prior journal and taking up several messages and motions. A Rules Committee report was accepted on Senate Print 915, a Cannabis Law bill, and the chamber then moved to debate that measure on the controversial calendar. The bill was described by supporters as clarifying how distances are measured for adult-use cannabis dispensaries near schools and houses of worship, with the sponsor saying it would create statewide consistency and provide clearer direction to the Office of Cannabis Management. Opponents argued it would weaken protections for children and churches, reward agency mistakes, and allow dispensaries to be sited closer to school property than intended. After extended debate, the Senate passed the bill 36-23. The cannabis debate centered on whether the bill merely clarifies legislative intent or substantively changes the law. Supporters said the current language left measurement methods undefined and that the bill would help legal dispensaries, reduce confusion, and push back illicit stores. Opponents said the original law already protected school grounds and houses of worship, and that the new language would allow dispensaries to abut school playgrounds, fields, or church-related property in some cases. Several senators also raised concerns about youth exposure, public consumption, local zoning, and the performance of the Office of Cannabis Management. After the vote, the Senate returned to the calendar and passed additional measures, including Calendar 121 (Public Authorities Law), Calendar 170 (Public Health Law), and Calendar 190 (Labor Law), each by comfortable margins. The chamber also adopted a resolution package honoring Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School’s boys cross country team and girls field hockey team for state championships, with Senator Tedisco introducing the guests. Later, the Senate passed Senate Print 6990A, the Civil Voice Law, which requires state agencies to conduct exit interviews for employees who resign or retire. Supporters said the bill would improve accountability, morale, and retention by standardizing a way to hear from departing workers. The bill received affirmative explanations of vote from Senator Jackson and others, and the Senate continued through the calendar after its passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death in Washington State.
• And that should hopefully lead to fewer disputes, not only between them and the department, but also
• between themselves, buyer and seller, and also hopefully lead to less frustration.
• And that should hopefully lead to fewer disputes, not only between them and the department, but also
• between themselves, buyer and seller, and also hopefully lead to less frustration.

Bills: SB6073 , SB6113 , SB6116 , SB6129 , SB6162 , SB6114 , SB5857

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: SB 6073, LEOFF, Law Enforcement Officers' and Fire Fighters' Retirement System, retirement system, pension, public safety retirement, wildland firefighter, aviation firefighter, wildland fire, forest firefighter, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, firefighter benefits, retirement benefits, service credit, disability retirement, survivor benefits, employer contributions, Washington RCW, public employees

Transcript Highlights:

• With a statutory emissions target and a lead agency, we can analogize that model to housing: a maximum
• CARB is the lead agency... ...gases while recognizing and considering effects on the economy.
• CARB is the lead agency for climate change programs and oversees all air pollution control efforts in
• California standards lead the nation, and we heard some discussion of that earlier.
• California standards lead the nation, and we heard some discussion of that earlier.

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Regulatory Authority held its first hearing to examine how California’s regulatory framework affects housing production, affordability, and timelines. Chair Pacheco and Assemblymember Haney framed the discussion around the state’s housing shortage and the need to reduce costs while maintaining environmental, safety, and community protections. The first panel featured housing experts and industry representatives who argued that state regulations, code complexity, utility constraints, and agency review processes add substantial cost and delay to development. Bill Fulton described overlapping state and local land-use authorities and the tension among housing, coastal protection, climate, and wildfire goals. CBIA’s Chris Ochoa and California Apartment Association representative Bob Raymer said building codes, energy mandates, and agency processes have materially increased per-home costs, and they urged more centralized affordability analysis and greater scrutiny of regulatory impacts. The Bay Area Council’s Louis Marante called for a statewide cost target for housing and stronger timelines and accountability for state agency reviews. The second panel brought in state agencies to explain their roles. HCD said its housing element enforcement, streamlining laws, and technical assistance have helped increase production, shorten entitlement timelines, and improve compliance by local governments. CARB said SB 375 is a planning law that does not directly regulate land use, and argued that regional housing assumptions in sustainable communities strategies are not being fully implemented on the ground. The Coastal Commission said it works with local governments to balance coastal protection, sea-level-rise risk, and housing, and noted recent guidance and pilot efforts to streamline housing approvals in the coastal zone. The Energy Commission said its building energy standards are designed to be cost-effective and save consumers money over time, though they can add some design and documentation complexity. Fish and Wildlife and DTSC both emphasized early engagement and collaboration to reduce delays while protecting natural resources and public health; DTSC said it is refining vapor intrusion guidance and using brownfield grants to support redevelopment. The State Water Resources Control Board said it uses general orders and basin planning to provide predictable permitting while balancing water quality, water rights, and housing needs, and noted billions in grants and loans for water infrastructure and site remediation that can support housing affordability. In response to questions from Assemblymember Haney, several agencies described ongoing coordination across departments, including regular meetings among HCD, CARB, the Coastal Commission, and transportation agencies, as well as broader interagency efforts to reduce redundancies and identify pinch points in project delivery. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the hearing; the main outcome was informational testimony and discussion of possible future reforms to improve coordination, predictability, and affordability in state regulatory processes.

Transcript Highlights:

• another of the meetings, a broader meeting with Senate and House leadership, bipartisanly, but the leads
• </c><00:20:21.280><c> the</c> bipartisanly uh but the the leads the bipartisanly uh but the the leads
• cuts are, where we anticipate them coming from, because they're happening so fast and without any lead
• > they're happening so fast and without they're happening so fast and without any<00:22:59.360><c> lead
• I'm telling my teams any lead into it.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The geek speak leads you to the number one asset we are seeking to protect: the data.
• The rabbit holes eventually will lead us to the largest loss, which is trust.
• c><00:05:03.520><c> you</c><00:05:03.680><c> to</c><00:05:03.840><c> the</c> things the geek speak leads
• </c><00:05:09.880><c> to</c><00:05:10.120><c> the</c><00:05:10.479><c> largest</c> eventually will lead
• us to the largest eventually will lead us to the largest loss<00:05:11.520><c> which</c><00:05:11.639

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, look, the very idea of trying to track ours would lead to some very interesting results, to say
• ><00:04:04.720><c> track</c><00:04:05.000><c> ours</c><00:04:05.400><c> would</c><00:04:05.560><c> lead
• </c> idea of trying to track ours would lead idea of trying to track ours would lead to<00:04:05.959>
• And we see it happen all the time with the organization I lead, when some of our folks go in and work
• when some of our organization I lead when some of our folks<00:30:41.919><c> go</c><00:30:42.120><c>

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Roll Call 00:13 SB 15 Discussion 00:45 SB 15 Vote 08:40 SB 103 Discussion 11:12 SB 103 Vote 29:49, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Committee for Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor heard two bills. Senate Bill 15, sponsored by Sen. Amanda Bledsoe, was presented with testimony from Major League Baseball in support of exempting minor league baseball players from Kentucky wage-and-hour treatment. Witnesses said the bill would preserve the negotiated collective bargaining structure for players, avoid impractical time-tracking requirements, and keep Kentucky aligned with other states. Senators discussed minor league salary levels, the importance of baseball to Kentucky communities, and the bill’s relationship to minimum wage law. The committee then took a roll call vote and passed the bill with unanimous support from members present. The committee next heard Senate Bill 103 from Sen. Danny Carroll, which would require the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation to adopt regulations under Chapter 13A, limit reciprocal agreements with other states until in-state provider contracts are exhausted, establish procedures for service fee memos before a new fiscal year, and require an annual report with operating and financial information. Testimony from community rehabilitation providers and disability advocates emphasized that the bill would increase transparency, protect local providers, and improve services for people with disabilities seeking competitive employment. They said Kentucky has a large disability population, that many working-age individuals with disabilities are not employed, and that better oversight could help address workforce shortages and reduce reliance on public assistance. Senators asked about the disability population, age ranges served, funding, and recent changes to provider rates and selection processes. The committee then voted to pass Senate Bill 103 unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I am incredibly optimistic and very proud to lead this agency. And I will pass it on to Kelly.
• There is a tension, which leads me to my next question. I rarely ask for public meetings.
• One of the agency's main responsibilities is being the state's lead agency for the voluntary abatement
• Cattle fever ticks are capable of carrying parasites that cause cattle fever and can lead to death. to
• Texas is leading the way; we're setting an example for the rest of the United States.

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• mission is to support Floridians with disabilities achieve competitive and integrated employment that leads
• to help students identify career interests and educational opportunities after high school that can lead
• high school students with disabilities opportunities to explore jobs and post-secondary education, leading
• EASE Plus is an additional education program that leads to a credential, certificate, or degree.
• Ease Plus is an additional education programs that lead to a credential, certificate, or a degree.

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.