Transcript Highlights:

• But our median wages reflect usually a student's first job upon graduation.
• Those are regional, those are statewide, and those are national.
• And nationally, of course, National Association of Colleges and Employers, NACE competencies are driving
• And nationally, of course, National Association of Colleges and Employers, NACE competencies are driving
• through structured reflection, reinforcing workforce skills and confidence.

Committee: Senate Education Postsecondary

Summary: The Committee on Education Postsecondary held an informational hearing focused on how Florida’s public colleges and universities are aligning bachelor’s degree programs with workforce needs and improving student outcomes. Chancellor Kathy Hebda described Florida College System enrollment growth, the state college system’s workforce-oriented bachelor’s degrees, approval and accountability processes for those programs, and outcomes data showing strong completion and wage results, especially in health care. Emily Sykes of the Board of Governors outlined the State University System’s program review practices, performance-based funding metrics, strategic emphasis programs, and the MyFloridaFuture tool that lets students compare earnings, debt, and employment outcomes by major and institution. University and college leaders then described campus-level workforce initiatives. Florida Gulf Coast University highlighted employer-driven microcredentials, digital badges, internships, career fairs, service learning, and partnerships with regional employers. UCF discussed its career navigator requirements, major industry partnerships such as Lockheed Martin, nursing and faculty career-integration efforts, and a centralized career development center. Northwest Florida State College and the University of West Florida emphasized their bachelor’s programs, transfer pathways, teacher and nursing outcomes, military and defense-related workforce pipelines, cybersecurity training, and stackable credentials tied to regional labor needs. During member questions, senators asked how microcredentials and military experience translate into college credit, whether credentials transfer across institutions, and what legislators can do to help. Witnesses said the state’s common course and articulation systems already support transfer, and they encouraged continued legislative support for innovation, faster curriculum alignment, internships, and specialized transfer degrees. No bills were voted on, and the meeting ended with no public comment and an adjournment motion adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• OUR ECONOMY IS VERY STRONG OVERALL IN THE NATIONAL AND GLOBAL LEVELS, AND OUR OCEAN ECONOMY IS A PART
• WE ARE THE STATES IN THE NATION SOUTHERNMOST COLLEGE.
• COLLAGEN ENTITY THAT EVALUATES PROGRAMS LIKE THESE LOOKED AT 300 COLLEGES ACROSS THE NATION.
• SPACE NATIONAL DEFENSE AND THE OTHER APPLICATIONS OF THE INSTITUTE.
• TO BE CLEAR, IT'S NOT A REFLECTION ON THE UNIVERSITY.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that distinction reflects a couple of issues.
• So obviously the reduced amount does reflect that improved revenue outlook.
• Reduced amount does, you know, reflect that improved revenue outlook.
• Statute says that we cannot bring down the guarantee to reflect actual revenues.
• Hello, Paige Clark with the National Center for Youth Law.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that distinction reflects a couple of issues.
• So obviously the reduced amount does reflect that improved revenue outlook.
• The reduced amount does reflect that improved revenue outlook.
• I think what this reflects is our general estimate of where we think volatility could lie.
• Hello, Paige Clark with the National Center for Youth Law.

Summary: The committee heard presentations on the Governor’s May Revision TK-12 education proposals, beginning with Proposition 98. The Department of Finance explained that the minimum guarantee rises by about $6.4 billion relative to the January budget across the three-year window, with a total of $124.9 billion in 2024-25, $125.1 billion in 2025-26, and $127.1 billion in 2026-27. Finance also described revised settle-up and reserve actions, including maintaining a $3.9 billion settle-up balance, increasing discretionary deposits into the Prop. 98 reserve, and ending with a projected reserve balance of about $10.3 billion. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the overall estimates were reasonable but urged the state to fully fund the guarantee and use other budget actions or reserves to manage volatility rather than delay settle-up payments. Members questioned the rationale for leaving the $3.9 billion unsettled, and Finance said the amount reflects revenue uncertainty and the risk of overappropriating Prop. 98 if revenues later fall. The committee then reviewed the Department of Education portion of the May Revision. Finance said the budget adds positions and state operations funding for CDE and includes trailer bill changes affecting community schools, preschool, literacy, special education, charter accountability, and other programs. The LAO highlighted concerns and recommendations on several proposals, including the size and structure of the LCFF increase, the special education base-rate increase, additional one-time community schools funding, literacy coach and math professional development augmentations, the multilingual screener, inclusive college grants, homelessness grants, and the proposed paid pregnancy disability leave mandate. CDE supported the special education increase, paid pregnancy leave, community schools, homelessness funding, literacy and math investments, and preschool parity, while urging more support for county offices of education and clearer definitions and implementation details for some programs. Finance said the paid pregnancy leave proposal would cost an estimated $218 million annually and is intended as a recruitment and retention measure. In the Commission on Teacher Credentialing item, Finance proposed funding for legal staffing tied to SB 848 and educator misconduct cases, plus funding and fee changes to support a statewide transcript review platform for subject matter competency and additional support for the residency technical assistance center. The LAO said it had no concerns with the staffing for misconduct and SB 848, recommended the transcript review platform and related fee increase if the platform moves forward, and recommended rejecting the residency technical assistance center expansion because current funding lasts through 2029. CTC said the misconduct workload has grown over the last five to six years and that AI would be used only as a backstop to human review in the transcript system. Public commenters were split, with unions and education groups supporting special education, paid pregnancy leave, community schools, homelessness funding, and literacy investments, while opposing the $3.9 billion settle-up delay and the reduction to preschool COLA.

Transcript Highlights:

• We would be very hesitant to substitute the Tribal Nations Grant Fund for a couple reasons.
• We would be very hesitant to substitute the tribal nation grant fund for a couple reasons.
• According to data from the National Human Trafficking Hotline, there are almost 12,000 cases.
• The savings amount reflects a reduction in total contract costs.
• We want to, again, continue on with the mission of the department, and these proposals reflect...

Transcript Highlights:

• allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation
• In the absence of clergy, let us bow our heads in a moment of silent reflection or prayer.
• Concerned over this issue, it led to the creation of National Library Week, first created and celebrated
• Believing that once people were TO THE CREATION OF NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK, FIRST CREATED AND CELEBRATED
• Designating April as Sikh Heritage Month is about celebrating milestones like these, reflecting on the

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and discharged several identical Assembly/Senate bills from committee so they could be substituted on the calendar. The chamber then took up and previously adopted two commemorative resolutions: one designating April 2026 as Sikh Heritage Month and another honoring Korean War veterans. Senators from both parties spoke in support of the Sikh resolution, emphasizing the community’s contributions, service, and the need for recognition and inclusion; the resolution was opened for co-sponsorship and the Sikh guests in the gallery were recognized. The Korean War resolution drew remarks from members recalling family service and the sacrifices of veterans, with repeated calls to preserve their stories and honor their legacy. The Senate then moved through the calendar, passing a series of bills. Among them were measures related to charter bus safety and seat belt awareness, coverage for doula services under insurance, social services/EBT-related changes, education, navigation, highway, public service, and hospital-closure reporting. Several bills passed unanimously or with only one dissenting vote; the social services bill drew the most opposition, with Senator Murray objecting that New York should first address EBT chip technology and skimming before adding new vendor requirements. One bill on the calendar was laid aside for the day. The chamber also adopted a supplemental bill authorizing the South Country Central School District to finance certain deficits, described by Senator Murray as a necessary rescue to keep the district operating and pay staff. Senators discussed the state budget impasse during debate on an extender bill, with the sponsor explaining it was a “clean extender” to keep government running through May 4 and cover payroll, health, education, and other essential payments. Senator Helming raised concerns about the lack of rural health transformation funding and the consequences of the delayed budget for schools, local governments, and hospitals. The extender passed, and the Senate adjourned until Monday, May 4, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Your leadership will help ensure that Massachusetts continues to be a national model for education, sexual
• A prominent leader once said, 'As the family goes, so goes the nation, and so goes the whole world in
• Every student in Massachusetts deserves to see themselves reflected in what they learn.
• When curriculum reflects the diversity of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and
• Massachusetts is a national leader in computer science.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education heard testimony on a wide range of bills, with the largest portions focused on the Healthy Youth Act (S.340/H.656), comprehensive and inclusive curriculum bills (H.655/S.371 and related measures), climate literacy education (H.560/S.391), computer science coursework (H.534/S.362), arts education funding and STEM-to-STEAM proposals (H.561 and H.4297), and a homeschooling reporting bill (H.518). Supporters of the Healthy Youth Act argued it would preserve local control while requiring medically accurate, age-appropriate, LGBTQ-inclusive sex education and regular updates to state health frameworks; opponents raised parental rights, age-appropriateness, and opt-out concerns, with some calling for fetal development content. Supporters of inclusive curriculum bills said they would improve representation, belonging, and civic understanding, while opponents argued they could undermine parental authority or promote ideological content. Climate, computer science, and arts advocates emphasized workforce readiness, student engagement, and the need for state support and funding to expand access and teacher training. Testimony on the climate literacy bill described increasing climate impacts in Massachusetts and argued that interdisciplinary instruction would prepare students for science, policy, and green careers; witnesses said the bill was not a mandate but a support and funding measure. Computer science supporters said access remains uneven, especially for girls, students of color, and students with disabilities, and urged stronger statewide requirements and AI-related standards. Arts advocates backed both the STEM-to-STEAM bill and the Lowell Mason arts funding proposal, citing research on student achievement, attendance, creativity, and the economic importance of the arts sector. The homeschool bill was supported by a homeschool advocacy group as a modernization of reporting requirements. The committee closed testimony on numerous bills where no one remained signed up or testimony had concluded, including several education, curriculum, and commission proposals. No votes were taken during the hearing itself. At the end of the session, the committee closed out the remaining testimony and adjourned after a motion and second.

Transcript Highlights:

• you want, but there is some talk about Texas having the most national research universities in the nation
• the nation, or do we need to do better?
• Groundbreaking for the rest of the nation. Absolutely.
• Research puts us in the national rankings. Research does this for us.
• Pages 19 through 30 reflect items not included in the recommendations.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:55:32.160><c> director</c> for which I serve as a national director for which I serve as a national
• </c><01:03:24.279><c> the</c> 2024 these growth patterns reflect the 2024 these growth patterns reflect
• </c> New Hampshire at odds with national New Hampshire at odds with national licensing<01:04:01.799><
• </c><01:04:37.359><c> current</c> that licensing law reflects current that licensing law reflects current
• from our our folks in our national from our our folks in our national advocacy<01:07:50.440><c> uh</c

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• mechanism to fill that vacancy promptly with a faithful elector so that the state's electoral votes reflect
• bill's approach for dealing with faithless presidential electors is also fully compliant with the National
• But nationally, the most 270-plus-worth of states voted for a Republican ticket for president, then Then
• Where Massachusetts would support a candidate who's a Democrat, and yet nationally, a Republican had
• does that do to the historical record of Electoral College results, because it doesn't accurately reflect

Bills: H5227 , H5129 , H5086

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Election Laws

Keywords: vacancies, city council, local governance, Marlborough, elections, validation, town proceedings, MBTA Communities Zoning Bylaw, PFAS contamination, municipal governance, electoral process, presidential electors, election law, Electoral Count Reform Act, voter certification

Transcript Highlights:

• allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation
• In the absence of clergy, let us bow our heads in a moment of silent reflection or prayer. >> Reading
• Martin Luther King Jr., whose moral vision and strategic nonviolent resistance galvanized a national
• in the cultural, artistic, and musical contributions that have shaped the nation, including the fact
• MARTIN LUTHER KING JR., WHOSE MORAL VISION AND STRATEGIC NONVIOLENT RESISTANCE GALVANIZED A NATIONAL

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, received messages and substitutions from the Assembly, and welcomed two new members, Senators Erik Bottcher and Jeremy Zellner. The chamber then adopted the resolution calendar and took up a privileged resolution sponsored by Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins memorializing Governor Hochul to proclaim February 2026 as Black History Month in New York. Senators Bailey, Baskin, Sanders, Scarcella-Spanton, Brisport, Parker, Cleare, Comrie, and others spoke in support, emphasizing Black history as American history, the importance of education and remembrance, and the contributions of Black New Yorkers and historical figures. The resolution was adopted, and the leader opened it for co-sponsorship. The Senate then moved to the bill calendar and passed several measures, including bills on civil procedure, urban development, labor, and public service law. One labor bill was substituted from the Assembly and passed. Several energy and utility-related bills drew debate, with supporters arguing they would improve affordability, utility rate-setting, and consumer protections, while opponents said they would not meaningfully lower costs and instead reflected broader policy choices. Senator Walczyk voted no on one utility bill, and Senators Tedisco and others criticized the package; Senators Mayer and Harckham defended the measures as needed reforms to utility regulation and return-on-equity standards. Most bills were approved by wide margins, including one public service bill that passed 53-9 and another that passed 61-1.

Transcript Highlights:

• Among them, we recall those honored in the scriptures, including Sarah, the matriarch of nations, Queen
• Today, our state legislature more closely reflects California's diversity.
• We still have work to do here in the legislature and across California and nationally.
• In support of H.R. 81, we come together to honor the many women who have built our nation and shaped
• I just think it's also important that we reflect on the Irish immigrant story here in America.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call and prayer, then moved through routine procedural business. A motion to suspend the rules for AJR 28, urging Congress to pass the Department of Homeland Security funding bill, failed on a 43-16 vote. The body then proceeded to the daily file and third reading file, with several items passed, retained, or continued. The main floor action centered on House Resolution 81 recognizing Women’s History Month. Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry opened on the resolution, and members from several caucuses spoke in support, highlighting the contributions of women in California history and current public life, as well as ongoing issues such as violence, discrimination, wage gaps, and representation. The resolution was opened for coauthors, received 74 coauthors, and was adopted by voice vote. The Assembly also held a lengthy Women of the Year ceremony, recognizing honorees from across the state for community service, advocacy, education, health care, public safety, housing, labor, and civic leadership. Later, the Assembly took up ACR 153 designating March as Irish Heritage Month. Members spoke about Irish American history, immigration, labor, public service, and California’s ties to Ireland. The resolution received 70 coauthors and was adopted by voice vote. The chamber then approved consent calendar items, including AB 1597 and AB 1549, both by 69-0 votes. The Assembly announced upcoming committee meetings and adjourned until Thursday, March 19 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• That recommendation reflects more than satisfaction. It reflects risk recognition.
• That recommendation reflects more than satisfaction. It reflects risk recognition.
• I wanted just to reflect for a moment.
• the state, for the entire National Guard.
• And we sang the national anthem. And I was there.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• and another portion reflects lower property tax estimates.
• So that's no longer within the National School Lunch Program.
• atam of San Manuel Nations.
• So the May revision reflects the pullback of $3.6 million.
• Many of them reflect the changes that I just mentioned, but there is also additionally Many of them reflect

Summary: The committee heard the May Revision presentation for the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, with public comment focused heavily on K-12 priorities such as universal school meals, kitchen infrastructure, food service and custodial support, youth leadership grants, Special Olympics funding, English learner support, universal pre-K, literacy investments, and concerns about community college funding shifts. Speakers also urged support for expanded learning, teacher recruitment and training, and maintaining or increasing funding for community colleges and student support programs. Finance and the LAO then reviewed the Proposition 98 outlook. Finance said the May Revision lowers the 2025-26 Prop. 98 guarantee to $114.6 billion, about $4.3 billion below January, due mainly to lower revenue estimates, with smaller effects from attendance and property tax changes. The administration also described rebenching for universal transitional kindergarten and a one-time rebench tied to Los Angeles fire-related property tax losses, along with changes to the Public School System Stabilization Account, deferrals, and updated COLA assumptions. The LAO said the budget relies too much on deferrals and one-time funds, creates a structural shortfall, and should instead align ongoing spending with the guarantee and preserve a reserve buffer. Members questioned the TK rebench and the shift of funding from community colleges to K-12, asking why it was being applied retroactively and how colleges would be held harmless. Finance said the changes align funding with where TK costs are being incurred and that reappropriation funding and other adjustments would offset impacts on community colleges. The LAO argued the historical split formula is outdated and should be abandoned in favor of budgeting around current priorities rather than fixed percentages. Members also raised concerns about draining the rainy day reserve and using deferrals, while the LAO said preserving reserves would better protect against future volatility. The committee then moved to specific K-12 and education proposals. Finance outlined May Revision changes including state operations adjustments for the Department of Education, technical trailer bill changes, a $100 million student teacher stipend program administered by Kern County, and updates to the charter school facility grant program. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposed increases for expanded learning, literacy coaches, and the student teacher stipend as currently structured, while supporting the minimum grant increase for expanded learning. Members expressed support for teacher recruitment efforts but questioned whether one-time funding can sustain ongoing programs and whether the student teacher stipend should be targeted to shortage areas or low-income communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:12.720><c> a</c> before that committee that reflects a before that committee that reflects
• </c> the governors in this bill, reflecting the governors in this bill, reflecting the<00:02:44.400><
• Page 11, line 1540 reflect the fees.
• </c><00:19:07.280><c> change</c> spreadsheet before you reflects change spreadsheet before you reflects
• </c> that is part of the national that is part of the national organization<00:43:42.319><c> ME</c><00

Bills: HF2435

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: healthcare, dementia services, public health funding, opioid prevention, women's health, community health boards, mental health

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Chi-Chi Wu from the National Consumer Law Center testifying.
• We have Chi-Chi Wu from the National Consumer Law Center testifying remotely.
• And I’ll just add one more thing: in this legislation, it’s so important because there’s a 79% national
• We want the law to reflect what is happening on the ground.
• We want the law to reflect what is happening on the ground.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a hybrid public hearing with testimony on a wide range of labor, workforce, unemployment insurance, apprenticeship, disability services, farm labor, hospital staffing, and workplace harassment bills. Chairs Jake Oliveira and Paul McMurtry outlined hearing procedures, limited testimony to two minutes, and noted written testimony would be accepted after the hearing. Committee members and staff were introduced throughout the session as witnesses arrived in person or remotely. A major portion of the hearing focused on unemployment insurance legislation. Greater Boston Legal Services, the AFL-CIO, and Rep. Joan Meschino supported bills to adjust UI eligibility for workers with fluctuating schedules and to streamline waivers and write-offs for non-fault overpayments, arguing the current system unfairly denies benefits or burdens workers who were not at fault. They also backed bills calling for more oversight and resources for the Division of Unemployment Assistance, citing persistent delays in benefit payments. NFIB opposed the UI changes, warning that the trust fund is headed toward insolvency and arguing the bills would worsen the system’s finances. Rep. Meschino and committee members emphasized that the proposals were meant to protect good-faith claimants and did not apply to fraud. Another large set of bills addressed wages, workforce development, and working conditions. Testimony supported raising and modernizing direct care wages to address severe staffing shortages in human services and disability services, with advocates from the Massachusetts Developmental Disability Council, The Arc of Massachusetts, parents of adults with disabilities, and a direct care worker describing how low pay and turnover harm people needing support. The committee also heard support for apprenticeship-related bills from the AFL-CIO and the Carpenters, while Associated Builders and Contractors opposed mandatory apprenticeship ratios and urged changes to align them with licensing laws. Farm worker advocates supported a bill to raise farm labor standards, including minimum wage, paid breaks, and paid time off, while the Farm Bureau opposed parts of it beyond the minimum wage increase. The hearing also featured testimony on workplace harassment training, overtime protections, hospital mandatory overtime, suicide prevention signage on construction sites, and a proposal to update the Massachusetts Medical Society’s mission language from “citizens” to “people.” Labor groups, educators, and compliance trainers strongly supported mandatory annual sexual harassment training, saying it would improve workplace culture and reduce harm. SEIU 1199 supported extending the hospital nurse mandatory overtime ban to the broader hospital workforce. Witnesses on the suicide prevention bill described personal losses in construction and recovery work and urged posting 988 information on job sites. The committee took no votes during the hearing; witnesses repeatedly asked for favorable reports, and members asked follow-up questions on UI calculations, apprenticeship ratios, small-business impacts, and emergency exceptions for hospital staffing.

Transcript Highlights:

• allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation
• I invite all assembled to assume an attitude of prayer or reflection appropriate to your own faith or
• Whereas Tara Marissa Gooding served our country honorably in the Army National Guard from October 22,
• We also want more female troopers so that all Washingtonians can see themselves reflected in our law
• And Tara Marissa Gooding reflected that. She brought the diversity.

Summary: The Senate convened with all members present, received the journal without objection, and took up messages from the House and first-reading referrals. It then considered Senate Resolution 8672 honoring Washington State Patrol Trooper Tara Marissa Guting, who was killed in the line of duty. Several senators spoke in support, reflecting on her service, the risks faced by troopers, and the importance of motorists slowing down and moving over for emergency vehicles. The resolution was adopted by voice vote, and the Senate observed a moment of silence and welcomed members of Trooper Guting’s family and the State Patrol. The chamber then moved to gubernatorial appointments. Kerry Heaton was confirmed as a member of the Peninsula College Board of Trustees by a roll call vote of 47-aye, 2 absent. Rebecca A. Chan was confirmed as a member of the Shoreline Community College Board of Trustees by a roll call vote of 49-aye, 0-nay. Bethany J. Martinez was confirmed as a member of the Big Bend Community College Board of Trustees by a roll call vote of 49-aye, 0-nay. Senators speaking in support highlighted each appointee’s community involvement, professional background, and education-related experience. After the confirmations, the Senate agreed to stand at ease for caucus and lunch until 1 p.m. No other substantive legislative action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I should note that that also is true nationally. So if you look at the Napers.
• Results nationally, you see the same thing. This is not unique to California.
• That also reflects a national pattern.
• The same nationally as in California.
• our Scores declined less than the national average from 2019 to 2024.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Those could have major implications for the national and state economy as well as for Minnesota's budget
• and state levels at both the national and state levels there<00:08:53.480><c> is</c><00:08:53.640><c
• Higher federal deficits and national debt could weigh negatively on economic growth in the long term.
• Our nation-leading budget reserve policy means that our reserves are fully funded.
• is reflective uh the forecast<00:54:00.440><c> is</c><00:54:00.640><c> reflective</c><00:54:01.040><

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• The author has stated that with limited district restrictions on committee members, this just reflects
• </c> committee members um this just reflects committee members um this just reflects the<00:14:26.920
• We do engage our national partners when it's time to do so, but we focus our solutions here, homegrown
• We urge you to amend HF 550 to reflect these guiding principles.
• </c><00:53:42.160><c> Organization</c> chair of their National Organization chair of their National Organization

Bills: HF550

Committee: House Rules and Legislative Administration