Video & Transcript : 'nonemitting generation' :
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WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Jan 14th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Early Learning & K-12 Education
Transcript Highlights:
- assistance percentage to equalize funding assistance based on district wealth and the ability to generate
- It's not accessible to the general student population at Hallet, and yet that inventory prevents us from
- Schools are going to use a bunch of data points to generate risk scores for students so that they can
- Finally, I applaud the bill's authors for regulating automated decision systems in general and not just
- For generations, the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Latino American, and African
Committee:
Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education
Keywords:
school construction, school facilities, capital budget, school plant project, state funding assistance, school construction assistance program, on-base schools, military base, Department of Defense school, military families, public school facilities, instructional space, Superintendent of Public Instruction, SIP, school district capital funding, school housing burden, rapid growth, enrollment growth, free and reduced-price meals, alternative learning experience
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Jan 14th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- assistance percentage to equalize funding assistance based on district wealth and the ability to generate
- It's not accessible to the general student population at Hallett, and yet that inventory prevents us
- Schools are going to use a bunch of data points to generate risk scores for students so that they can
- Finally, I applaud the bill's authors for regulating automated decision systems in general and not just
- For generations, the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Latino American, and African
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 5901, which would change the school construction assistance program so that instructional space on military bases is excluded from a district’s available space inventory when calculating state construction aid. Staff explained the bill would also require state assistance to equal approved project cost minus federal funding received. Senator Christian said the measure is intended to prevent military-base facilities from unfairly reducing districts’ ability to modernize or build schools. Testimony in support came from OSPI, Clover Park School District, and Medical Lake School District, which said the current formula penalizes districts serving military families and can leave them unable to secure needed renovation funding. No opposition was heard, and the bill was later described as having an indeterminate fiscal impact.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 5860 on school board compensation. The bill would raise director pay from $50 to $100 per day, increase the annual cap, allow child care expenses to be reimbursed, require OFM to periodically adjust compensation, and direct WASDA to develop finance training for school directors. Senator Cortez said the changes are needed to broaden who can serve on school boards and to help working families participate. Supporters from OSPI, WASDA, and South Sound superintendents said compensation could improve diversity and help recruit and retain board members, though WASDA noted concerns about diverting district funds and said its members do not have consensus on mandatory training. Opponents argued the bill would misuse levy funds and that child care and other expenses should not be paid from local education levies. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5956 on artificial intelligence, student discipline, and surveillance in schools, which would bar automated systems from being the sole basis for discipline decisions, prohibit risk scores and biometric surveillance, require OSPI guidance updates, and direct WASDA to create model policy. Senator Nobles and supporters said the bill is needed to protect students from discriminatory and inaccurate AI-driven decisions; no vote was taken in the hearing.
Finally, the committee heard a proposed substitute for Senate Bill 5574, which would require districts to include instruction on Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, Latino American, and Black American history in required social studies courses during the regular curriculum review cycle, with reporting beginning in 2030. Senator Nobles said the bill is meant to address exclusion and bias in history education and to help students see themselves reflected in the curriculum. Testifiers from education, student, parent, and community groups overwhelmingly supported the measure, saying it would improve belonging, reduce bullying, and build on existing curriculum resources without creating a new course or major new cost. The hearing ended without a vote or other formal action on SB 5956 or SB 5574.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Amber Stelly, I'm the general manager for Consolidated Water Supply Corporation. Excuse me.
- I serve as the general manager for the Trinity River Authority, and I'm here in that capacity today.
- Amber Stelly, general manager for the Consolidated Water Supply Corporation, and I'm testifying for…
- It's very concerning, you know, when somebody mentioned being an eighth generation...
- Eighth generation on my side, ninth generation on their mama's side.
Committee:
House Natural Resources
Keywords:
groundwater, conservation, water permits, sustainability, resource management, 997, house, all
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Investments and Pensions Oversight May 22nd, 2025
Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- That's our general fund.
- So that's the general funded checking account. It's called the State General Fund Investment pool.
- That's what's spinning off into the general fund from our permanent funds, and you can see in FY 27 it's
- So we have a large number of employees with relatively more generous pension benefits that are still
- Uh, items H and I are sort of general topics. They're broad items.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development May 21st, 2025
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 2637 intends to address the mass output of misinformation generated by accounts on social
- So all we're doing is expanding the scope so that not only the Office of the Attorney General, which
- If they don't have time in the county to take the case, can they give it to the Attorney General?
- In addition, while also retaining jurisdiction by the Office of the Attorney General as well.
- They do have to sign off on the child even downloading that app in general.
Keywords:
SB 1361, Texas disaster recovery loan, small business loan, micro-business loan, community development financial institution, CDFI, economic disaster assistance, post-disaster financing, business recovery fund, Texas Economic Development Bank, zero-interest loan, working capital, payroll support, health benefits, job retention, declared disaster, small business relief, microenterprise, franchise exclusion, private equity-backed business
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Committee May 14th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Please be aware that violations of these rules or other violations of general courtesy or decorum may
- They're just generalizations that are unscientifically made.
- This bill has no cost to the General Fund. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.
- It's a big issue, but we will simply fail the next generation if we do not do this now.
- It's a big issue, but we will simply fail the next generation if we do not do this now.
Summary:
The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on May 14, 2025, for a regular order hearing with a large consent calendar and many individual bill presentations. The committee first approved numerous bills on consent, then heard a series of measures spanning reproductive health, child care eligibility, transportation, mental health diversion, county recorder fees, groundwater management, election deadlines, parking enforcement, consumer protections, housing, immigrant and student protections, and utility/CPUC oversight. Several bills were taken up only for presentation because they were on suspense, including ACA 4 on long-term housing funding, and the committee later approved a very large suspense calendar as a whole.
Among the bills discussed, AB 260 would protect medication abortion access and providers; AB 904 would clarify child care subsidy eligibility during family leave or job search; AB 1014 would give Caltrans more flexibility on speed limits in rural highway segments; AB 46 would clarify judicial discretion in mental health diversion; AB 1413 and AB 929 addressed groundwater adjudication and SGMA-related protections for small community water systems and wetlands; AB 930 would count vote-by-mail ballots postmarked by Election Day and received within seven days; AB 1022 would end towing solely for unpaid parking tickets; AB 290 and AB 302 dealt with automatic payments for the California Fair Plan and medical data protections; AB 1303 would remove the need for a Social Security number for California Lifeline eligibility; and several housing bills, including AB 920, AB 956, AB 1470, AB 893, and AB 1021, sought to streamline approvals or expand housing options. AB 1318 and AB 49 focused on immigrant-serving nonprofits and keeping immigration enforcement out of schools, while AB 1532 extended telecommunications and transportation access programs and added CPUC accountability measures.
Testimony was generally supportive for the bills heard, with authors and sponsors emphasizing low or absorbable fiscal impacts, consumer protection, housing production, public safety, and protections for vulnerable communities. Opposition appeared on a few measures, including concerns about ADUs, towing authority, charter school-related issues, and the scale of proposed housing funding in ACA 4. Several members also commented in support of the housing and immigrant-protection measures, and some bills were voted out with recorded no votes or not-voting members noted. After the suspense calendar was deemed approved, the committee opened public comment on bills not presented that day, heard a long list of supporters and opponents on various measures, and then adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And then, uh, they put that on pause until 2024 whenever, despite the Attorney general getting involved
- It empowers private citizens and the Attorney General to hold violators accountable, restoring integrity
- to ensure a better life for future generations.
- And so, uh, that's generally, I, I think, how it would be set up. OK, thank you. So.
- Oftentimes the, the, the best opportunity to To learn about religion generally and commonalities among
Committee:
House State Affairs
Keywords:
electric power, interconnection, utilities, ERCOT, large load customers, water supply, sewer service, demand management, school prayer, Bible reading, religious text, public schools, Texas Education Code, student prayer, silent prayer, meditation, religious liberty, First Amendment, Establishment Clause, church and state
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- , which is producing the next generation, what are we doing?
- Everyone knows about fentanyl and everybody is aware of it because it is taking a generation of lives
- I'm a fifth generation Texan. generation Texan. I grew up in Flower Mound, Texas.
- So we run generators outside and we run you know, fire. five five-aught banded cable from the generator
- House Bill 5294 does not simply restate general principles.
Bills:
HB1784 , HB2088 , HB3062 , HB3475 , HB3741 , HB4279 , HB4763 , HB5154 , HB5294 , HB5508 , SB1401 , HB232 , HB232
Committee:
House Higher Education
Keywords:
students, homeless, foster care, higher education, liaison officer, housing assistance, transition support, law school, Rio Grande Valley, legal education, public university, accreditation, fentanyl prevention, drug poisoning awareness, mental health resources, substance abuse education, El Paso, university system, funding, public education
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Apr 23rd, 2025
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- An officer at the age of 50 is only expected to live. an additional 7.8 years, compared to the general
- The general meetings would not be open to the public. They may hold public hearings. They may.
- We generate our own revenue by selling electricity, electric transmission, and water services, and we
- Oh, there's nothing in the rule that says that this also, because if you do something and it generates
- The first person she gets help from, generally speaking, is the peace officer. Who's in the school.
Bills:
HB886 , HB1514 , HB2434 , HB2688 , HB2802 , HB3161 , HB3221 , HB4029 , HB4339 , HB4591 , HB4774 , HB4802 , HB4853 , HB5627 , SB1737
Keywords:
retirement, supplemental payment, benefits, Employees Retirement System, eligible annuitants, legislation, annuity, service credit, Employees Retirement System of Texas, employee benefits, pension reform, public retirement systems, municipality pensions, firefighters, police officers, retirement age, DROP program, actuarial studies, pension benefits, municipal retirement
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the General Manager of Hillwood Communities here in Austin, Texas, and I'm here in support of House
- It's kind of a generic question, but I just want to hear your response.
- The term is generally used, so it is defined in statute.
- an organization that builds those very homes, I'm here to tell you I don't want to see another generation
- I'm a fifth-generation Texan. This is my career.
Bills:
HB386 , HB1449 , HB1701 , HB2142 , HB2675 , HB2857 , HB3063 , HB3171 , HB3641 , HB3732 , HB4045 , HB4370 , HB4491 , HB4505 , HB4626 , HB5267 , HB5356
Committee:
House Intergovernmental Affairs
Keywords:
construction contracts, change orders, local government, budget limits, Texas legislation, HB 1449, mobile food vendors, food trucks, mobile food service establishments, permits, county health permit, municipal permitting, Health and Safety Code Chapter 437A, Chapter 437, inspection agreements, permit reciprocity, fee cap, preemption, large counties, population over one million
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Appropriations - Education and Environment Division Apr 14th, 2025 at 02:30 pm
Appropriations - Education and Environment Division
Transcript Highlights:
- We added the $5 million in general fund to that, and $40 million from the other funds.
- We had roughly $12.3 million in general, and another $650,000 in other funds.
- So that's general fund? I'm sorry, with that general fund? So, Mr.
- Chairman, right now it's listed as general fund.
- Leave those in general fund. Yeah, we can always move later.
Bills:
SB2003
Keywords:
higher education, student loans, scholarships, capital projects, workforce development, funding, North Dakota university system, 908, all
Summary:
The committee met to work through the higher education budget, beginning with a conflict-of-interest request from Representative Martinson, who was excused from voting because of a partnership that leases office space to Bismarck State College. Members then reviewed the higher education institution budget sheets, covering ongoing and one-time funding items for campuses and system projects such as BSC housing, Lake Region roof repairs, UND’s STEM and National Security Crossroads projects, the UND allied health facility, NDSU projects including New Horizons, DSU deferred maintenance and campus security, Mayville’s Old Main, Minot projects, and the regional health institutes. Members also discussed student financial assistance, the professional student exchange program, IT security funding, and workforce/education innovation grants.
Several amendments and policy questions were debated. The committee adopted an amendment to make workforce education innovation grants competitive rather than automatically distributed, and then voted to remove language prohibiting those funds from being used to duplicate academic programs. Members also removed similar anti-duplication language from the New Horizons section. They agreed to extend the UND hyperbaric chamber transfer authority to 2027 and clarified language around UND land-sale proceeds. A proposed amendment to add $5.6 million for the Wahpeton State School of Science building purchase failed for lack of a second, and a proposal to restore fetal alcohol spectrum disorder funding to UND was left for conference. The committee also discussed, but did not add, a tuition cap change, a study on the Praxis exam, and several governance-related provisions.
The committee spent significant time on broader higher education policy items, including a $3 million enterprise resource planning request for the university system, a $2 million grant program for students who are pregnant, recently gave birth, or are caring for young children, and a $1.1 million request for library age-verification software tied to the Odin system. Members also discussed dual-credit authority for UND and NDSU, a goal for the UND medical school to increase North Dakota resident enrollment, and intent language regarding the commissioner/chancellor model and presidential search authority. At the end of the meeting, the committee approved the amendments and then gave the higher education budget a do-pass recommendation as amended, with Representative Sanford designated as the carrier. The Forest Service budget was also approved, including two additional FTEs, and the committee adjourned after noting it would continue with other budgets the next day.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Serve future generations. That is a memorial. Are there amendments? Not on the desk, Mr. President.
- The Appropriations Committee met yesterday to consider SPB 2500, the General Appropriations Bill, SB
- Chair Hooper, who is this general revenue person? Chair Hooper.
- general today.
- All amendments to the General Appropriations Act be balanced, as explained. Are there questions?
Summary:
The Senate convened with an opening prayer, pledge, and several recognitions, including visiting student groups, chambers of commerce, and apprenticeship participants. Senators also observed a moment of silence for a fallen Walton County deputy and later for the late John Pasadoma. The chamber then moved through a long third-reading calendar and special order calendar, with most bills passing overwhelmingly and several amendments adopted along the way.
Among the major measures, SB 234 on criminal offenses against law enforcement officers passed 37-0 after debate and an amendment clarifying “good faith” in an officer’s duties; SB 7020 on open government and cybersecurity information passed 37-0; SM 1488 urging Congress to create a U.S. sovereign wealth fund was adopted by voice vote; SB 944 reducing insurance overpayment claim deadlines for psychologists passed 37-0; SB 878 expanding misdemeanor probation treatment provisions to controlled substances passed 36-1; SB 538, the state court system package, passed 37-0; SB 480 on nonprofit agricultural organization medical benefit plans passed 32-4; SB 472 on correctional-facility education credit for licensure passed 37-0; and SB 56 on geoengineering and weather modification passed 28-9 after extensive debate about enforcement, federal preemption, and the bill’s purpose.
Later, the Senate passed CS/HB 421 on peer support for first responders 37-0 after substituting the House companion, and SB 164 on vessel accountability advanced with a technical amendment. SB 166 on administrative efficiency in public schools drew the most extended debate and multiple amendments; it changes testing, promotion, teacher evaluation, certification, and facilities rules, and passed 37-0. The chamber also passed SB 282 on warranty association financial requirements 36-0, SB 316 creating series LLCs 35-1, and SB 384 on annexing state-owned lands 36-0. At the end of the day, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify all passed bills to the House, received budget schedule guidance from Appropriations Chair Hooper for SB 2500 and SB 2502, and adjourned until April 9.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Serve future generations. That is a memorial. Are there amendments? Not on the desk, Mr. President.
- The Appropriations Committee met yesterday to consider SPB 2500, the General Appropriations Bill, SB
- Chair Hooper, who is this general revenue person? Chair Hooper.
- general today.
- All amendments to the General Appropriations Act be balanced, as explained. Are there questions?
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including state championship athletic teams, visiting chambers of commerce, apprentices, students, and other guests. The chamber then moved through a long third-reading calendar and special order calendar, with no committee reports or executive messages on the desk. A moment of silence was held for Walton County Deputy William Will May, who died in the line of duty.
Among the major bills passed was SB 234, which strengthens restrictions on resisting law enforcement officers and increases penalties related to manslaughter of an officer; an amendment clarifying “good faith” in an officer’s duties was adopted, and the bill passed 37-0. The Senate also passed SB 7020 on open government review of certain cybersecurity information, SM 1488 urging Congress to create a U.S. sovereign wealth fund, SB 944 reducing the overpayment claim period for insurers/HMOs seeking reimbursement from licensed psychologists from 30 months to 12 months, SB 878 extending probation treatment options for misdemeanor offenses involving controlled substances, SB 538 updating the state court system, SB 480 expanding nonprofit agricultural medical benefit plans, SB 472 giving correctional education credit toward professional licensure, SB 86/House companion 421 expanding peer support for first responders to include support personnel, SB 164 on vessel accountability, SB 282 on warranty association financial requirements, SB 316 creating Series LLC rules, and SB 384 requiring notice to legislative delegations before municipal annexation of state-owned lands.
The most debated measure was CS/CS/SB 56 on geoengineering and weather modification, which Garcia said would prohibit unauthorized atmospheric interventions, create reporting and enforcement mechanisms through DEP, and impose felony penalties; Polsky questioned the bill’s practicality, federal preemption issues, and agency capacity, while supporters said it would address public concerns and close loopholes. The Senate also passed CS/SB 166 on public school administrative efficiency after adopting several amendments affecting school purchasing timelines, third-grade retention exemptions, teacher contracts, certification, facilities planning, and an OPPAGA study of cost-per-student-station limits; senators debated testing, teacher evaluations, and school accountability. At the end of the day, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify all passed bills to the House, received budget process guidance from Appropriations Chair Hooper on SB 2500 and SB 2502 amendment deadlines, and then adjourned until April 9.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So I want to give you the general and I'm not going to talk long because you've got a lot of witnesses
- David Durden, general manager of Texas Windstorm Insurance Association.
- I'm general counsel of the Baldwin Group.
- I'm associate general counsel for Texas Mexico Power Company.
- All of which flows into general revenue was $6.7 billion.02 biennia ago.
Committee:
House Insurance
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Governmental Organization Committee Apr 2nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Generally speaking, it tends to be toward the end of October or early November.
- I loved making traditional sweets with my mom, with recipes that were generations old, receiving gifts
- , but for the many generations to come.
- It would authorize the Department of General Services to negotiate and enter into contracts on a bid
- I'm a junior at Sacramento State University and the president of Planned Parenthood Generation Action
Summary:
The Governmental Organization Committee heard a series of bills on holidays, procurement, public safety, and business regulation. AB 268 would add Diwali as an official state holiday and allow schools and state workers limited flexibility to observe it; supporters described it as a recognition of California’s large South Asian and Hindu communities, and there was no opposition. AB 770 would define “customary maintenance” for outdoor advertising displays to clarify what repairs and reinforcements are allowed; the bill was presented as a safety and consistency measure for the billboard industry. AB 783 would authorize the Department of General Services to negotiate bulk pricing for construction materials to help disaster-affected communities rebuild more affordably, with supporters from the housing and building sectors and some members raising concerns about state contracting, storage, and implementation. AB 381 would update state procurement rules to better prevent human trafficking and forced labor in supply chains, aligning state policy with federal standards and drawing support from anti-trafficking advocates, labor, and local government representatives. AB 668 would extend drink-spiking prevention measures to music festivals by requiring test strips, drink lids, and reporting procedures; supporters emphasized victim safety and underreporting, while venue operators opposed the bill unless amended, citing feasibility and cost concerns. AB 880 would require prompt payment and indirect cost coverage for nonprofits contracting with the state, with broad nonprofit support and no opposition. AB 989 would make California Native American Day a paid holiday, with tribal and allied support. AB 592 would extend and expand temporary outdoor dining and alcohol service flexibilities for restaurants, with strong support from restaurant and business groups and opposition from alcohol policy advocates who preferred a narrower or permanent grandfathering approach.
Most bills advanced on committee votes, generally on party-line or broad bipartisan support. AB 770 was moved to Appropriations, AB 783 was passed as amended to the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management, AB 381 was sent to Labor, AB 668 and AB 880 were sent to Appropriations, AB 989 was sent to Public Employees and Retirement, and AB 592 was sent to Health. The committee also took up a consent calendar containing several additional bills, which was approved. The hearing ended with the roll left open for additional votes and adjournment at 3:17 p.m.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Criminal Justice Mar 25th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I come from 3 generational cycles of familial sex trafficking.
- So you want to Dollar General.
- Instead, my Generation Gen Z is already the most shot at group of Children. Please.
- Are where the time we finish up my generation is not just the generation COVID where the generation school
- We are the generation of school shootings. We have lived through these.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- And secondly, because the development of a training program like this should fall within the general
- The development of a training program like this should fall within the general purview of the Department
- or future generations to recognize and remember Senator Geraldine Thompson.
- or future generations to recognize and remember Senator General Geraldine Thompson.
- Thank you. generation or future generations to recognize and remember senator general geraldine thompson
Committee:
Senate Fiscal Policy
Summary:
The committee heard and approved several bills. CS for CS for CS SB 138, Trenton’s Law, would broaden DUI and boating-under-the-influence laws to cover any impairing substance, increase penalties for refusal to submit to breath or urine testing, allow blood warrants in misdemeanor DUI/BUI cases, enhance penalties for DUI with death or vehicular homicide involving prior convictions, and authorize DUI diversion programs. Supporters included law enforcement and prosecutors, who said the bill addresses gaps involving over-the-counter drugs and refusal cases; the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers raised concerns about the breadth of the “any impairing substance” language and record consequences for first refusals. The bill was reported favorably.
The committee also reported favorably SB 400, which removes the repeal date from Florida’s Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children, and CS for SB 102, which creates a workforce credentialing program for exceptional student education students, especially those with autism, to earn badges for job skills and safety-related competencies. SB 102 drew questions about fiscal impact and teacher training, with supporters emphasizing workforce readiness and parent involvement while some members raised concerns about costs and implementation. SB 130, which updates compensation for wrongfully incarcerated people found factually innocent, was also reported favorably after supporters argued Florida’s current law is too restrictive and too few exonerees have been compensated.
The committee then approved CS for CS for SB 296, which repeals the statewide mandate for later middle and high school start times and returns the decision to local districts, while requiring districts to document their analysis of sleep, safety, transportation, and other impacts. An amendment added a reporting requirement to show how districts considered later start times and any unintended consequences. The bill drew broad support from school officials and education groups, with members noting transportation and extracurricular challenges. Finally, SB 234, dealing with criminal offenses against law enforcement officers, was reported favorably after debate over whether the bill should retain “good faith” language and how it would affect defenses and officer accountability. The committee also passed CS for SB 274, designating a portion of International Drive as Harris Rosen Way and adding a memorial designation for the late Senator Geraldine Thompson near the Wells Built Museum; members praised both honorees and the bill was reported favorably. The committee adjourned after recording one member’s request to be shown voting yes on the first bill.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 7 on Accountability and Oversight Feb 20th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- visit www.fema.gov This year, our total budget is just over $3 billion, with $1.4 billion in the general
- Tapping into the county general funds is not an option to backfill health and human services that have
- This is comprised of approximately $960 million in the general fund, $2.2 billion in federal funds, and
- most vulnerable communities, and backfilling what for some counties range from 10% or more of our general
- My district has a huge distrust of government in general. and federal levels and my husband works for
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- drive innovation, create new technologies and industries, and develop a highly skilled workforce, generating
- This has generated about $21 million in contracts from the U.S. Office of Naval Research.
- Our current capabilities at the Wall of Wind, the 12-fan system, can generate up to 160 miles an hour
- And I do want to say in general for this presentation, it was extremely important. And when I...
- In general, for this presentation, it was extremely important.
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.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
SPEED Task Force (STF) - Wed May 27, 2026 @ 10:00 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Jennifer Salsbury, representing the Small Business Regulatory Review Board from Maui General Contractor
- Protect and manage the waters of Hawaii for present and future generations.
- Water use within a designated water management area generally requires a water use permit.
- I did an analysis a few years ago to look at how long it generally takes us to process a petition all
- I used to think that there’s an argument that if the county general plan and the... ...county general