Transcript Highlights:

• IS GOING TO DETAIL HOW THE MONEY FOR OUR STATE PARKS IS SPENT BROKEN DOWN BY SALARIES, BENEFITS, CONTRACTING
• THIS INSPECTION PROCESS HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN TWO OF FLORIDA 67 COUNTIES BUT A LOT OF OTHERS, 65 OTHERS
• , IT'S A VERY NEW PROCESS.
• INSPECTION PROCESS AS WELL AS THE NEW RESERVE REQUIREMENTS.
• SENATOR YARBOROUGH. >> I WOULDN'T CALL IT A VETTING PROCESS THANK YOU, THROUGH THE CHAIR.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate the thought process you went into this, and thank you for bringing it up.
• In the wind project contract, there is a section that says you can't sue.
• Rural co-ops, and so you know how that process happens and that resource and the rest.
• Could they just make a policy and stick to it, or how would that process work?
• Comments in that process.

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, this is the Minnesota Starter Homes bill that has been a part of a robust policy-making process that
• Bill that has been a part of a robust policy-making process that started 3 years ago.
• ><c> it</c><00:05:22.600><c> is</c><00:05:22.720><c> if</c> The thought process behind it is if you're
• ,</c> development process, development process, in<00:37:28.280><c> which</c><00:37:28.480><c> case</
• </c> processes don't hold up projects. processes don't hold up projects.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're in the process, and Brett's going to help us tally this up and keep track.
• We want you to be in the process toward A designated leader.
• I think that we need to map out that process on Monday as well.
• You've got to have diversity in that teaching and empowerment process.
• We have Pearson contracts. Most of us already use that in some capacity.

Committee: House Oklahoma Education Commission

Summary: The commission met with a quorum and introduced Brett Farley, who was discussed as a possible partner to help strengthen the nonprofit side of the commission’s work. Members also welcomed a new participant, Naomi Janes of Owasso Public Schools, who described her role in instructional technology and AI integration. The group spent much of the meeting on planning for the upcoming AI symposium, including venue logistics, room and meal costs, audio-visual expenses, fundraising progress, keynote and vendor participation, and ideas for breakout sessions and after-hours demonstrations. Members discussed keeping attendee contact information private unless permission is obtained, and they also considered future regional meetings and year-round follow-up to sustain momentum beyond the symposium. A major portion of the meeting focused on legislation and grant strategy. Michael provided an update on House Bill 1782, saying floor amendments had been filed and that the bill now includes authority for agencies to pursue gifts and donations, an expanded advisory council, broader research purposes, and a fund structure that can support multi-year projects without fiscal-year pressure. He also reviewed Senate Bill 1734, which would require parental disclosure, allow opt-outs, and require reporting on data minimization and privacy compliance for AI tools used in schools. Members discussed how the commission could help schools, families, and the public understand AI policy and how the new law might shape future recommendations. The group also reviewed several grant efforts. Anna reported on the NSF TechABLE/AI HubZone proposal, a three-year, $1 million-per-year opportunity with a June 15 letter-of-intent deadline and July 15 full proposal deadline, and noted plans to include staff positions to support the project. She also updated the group on a rural health care transformation proposal of roughly $700,000 and asked for follow-up on its status. In addition, Anna outlined a broader K-20 pipeline concept centered on a shared learner record and microcredential system that would connect K-12, CareerTech, higher education, libraries, and workforce systems, with tools such as Career Coach and Skill of Eye to link credentials to jobs. Members generally supported the idea, noting benefits for transcript portability, special populations, teacher certification, and workforce alignment. The commission agreed to meet again on June 14 at 1:00 p.m., and the meeting adjourned after a brief announcement of an informal AI book club for the summer.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> where we are in the election process where we are in the election process such<00:03:12.640><c>
• </c> from the secrecy sleeve and is processed from the secrecy sleeve and is processed [music]<00:08:
• </c> money to contract with FedEx? money to contract with FedEx? &gt;&gt; No. &gt;&gt; No.
• or help speed up speed up the process or help speed up the<00:46:36.800><c> process.
• </c> the process. the process.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Starting from the left, the process typically starts almost a year before applications are submitted,
• Then when LEDs became code in 2020, we can see the savings from LEDs are removed per the standard process
• Then when LEDs became code in 2020, we can see the savings from LEDs are removed per the standard process
• The National Standard Practice Manual, which identifies a process for determining cost effectiveness,
• They don't necessarily use the same net-to-gross calculation, but there is a process for setting what

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• expressing my gratitude, and I think it is the gratitude of every member of this chamber for the process
• And it's not because I'm hoping for a bit more in the process, because I know I'm not going to get that
• This plan is in HLC's hands to do the pre-vetting process as the planning board finishes its work on
• Milton is currently processing that plan with HLC.
• Milton is currently processing that plan with HLC.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate took up Senate House No. 4010, a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill funded largely by surplus Fair Share revenues. The Ways and Means chair described the bill as a $1.28 billion package, with major investments in education and transportation, including special education circuit breaker aid, higher education deferred maintenance, career technical education capital grants, school construction relief, high-dosage tutoring, English language learning grants, MBTA reserve replenishment and safety training, commuter rail maintenance, Chapter 90 local road aid, regional transit authority support, ferry and micro-transit funding, and a small World Cup transportation appropriation. Members from both parties generally praised the bill’s one-time, regionally balanced approach while emphasizing fiscal discipline and the limited, surplus-based funding source. The minority leader and others questioned the fund balances and the use of the education and transportation innovation and capital fund, the Student Opportunity Act trust fund, and the transitional escrow account; the chair said the bill would zero out the innovation and capital fund, leave about $430 million in the SOA trust, and about $200 million in the escrow account. Several members highlighted specific priorities. Senator Cronin and Senator Feeney strongly supported the $100 million career technical education investment, arguing it would expand vocational opportunities in comprehensive high schools and help meet workforce needs. Senator Feeney also emphasized MBTA funding, special education, local road repairs, English language learning tied to workforce needs, and World Cup preparations in Foxborough. Senator Comerford praised the bill’s regional equity, higher education maintenance funding, special education support, and transportation investments, while also noting the need for broader future work on Chapter 70 and school finance. Senator Tarr supported the bill but repeatedly stressed that the spending was a unique one-time opportunity and that the Commonwealth should preserve fiscal reserves and continue to address school funding inequities and MBTA finances more broadly. The chamber then considered numerous amendments. Amendment 1 on tariff pricing transparency was withdrawn after brief remarks, and Amendment 14, proposing a DESE study on educational outcomes for young men and boys, was rejected. Amendment 182, funding Worcester Regional Transit Authority capital expenses, was adopted. Amendment 228, adding $500,000 for Free Period to expand access to menstrual products in schools, was adopted. Amendment 257, funding Springfield Public Schools communication and safety systems, was also adopted. Other amendments, including Tarr amendments on supplemental district aid, MBTA reporting, and the Foundation Budget Review Commission, were rejected. Amendment 308 concerning MBTA Communities and Milton was withdrawn, after which Senator Driscoll began a presentation arguing Milton was being misclassified under the MBTA Communities Act and should be treated fairly under the law.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, that whole process, it's $4.2 million. Thank you.
• The contingency language was added by LFC through that process.
• Chair, part of the growth process involves a review and evaluation of the effectiveness of the pilot.
• Those are really unique opportunities that we hope we can work through in this process.
• Somebody to have authority to make this process so simple to follow, right?

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to contract for clean resources.
• Our process, our integrated resource planning process, is really set up to make sure that we can deliver
• And this is a process that we Thank you.
• That said, we definitely need the regulatory process.
• We could certainly receive it through the evidentiary process, but ultimately our evidentiary process

Summary: The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications held an oversight hearing focused on electric rates, utility regulation, affordability, reliability, and wildfire-related costs. The chair framed the discussion around the challenge of transitioning to a cleaner grid while keeping bills affordable and the system reliable, and noted the hearing also served as the annual update from the CPUC and Public Advocates Office. Professor Severin Borenstein gave a primer on utility regulation, explaining the split between deregulated generation and regulated transmission/distribution, the basics of cost-of-service regulation, and the role of return on equity. He argued that high allowed returns can encourage capital-intensive spending and that many public policy costs now embedded in rates would be better funded through the state budget, while warning that price caps or performance-based regulation are not silver bullets. CPUC President-designate Alice Reynolds described the commission’s role as economic regulator of investor-owned utilities and said affordability is being addressed through rate case scrutiny, reasonableness reviews, and legislative direction. She said wildfire mitigation and insurance costs have been major drivers of rate increases, but some wildfire-related costs are time-limited and will roll off rates over time. She also highlighted progress on clean energy procurement, battery storage growth, and integrated resource planning to meet climate goals while maintaining reliability. Reynolds said the CPUC is reviewing utility spending, disallowing imprudent costs where appropriate, and litigating at FERC to challenge transmission costs. Members pressed both witnesses on several issues, including whether rates are being inflated by legislative mandates and balancing accounts, whether utility returns are too high, and whether the state should shift more public-policy costs off electric bills and into the General Fund. Senators also raised concerns about load growth from data centers and ports, gas-system stranded assets as electrification advances, and whether the CPUC is over-regulating or discouraging innovation. Reynolds said the CPUC is working with the Energy Commission, CAISO, and the Air Resources Board on a holistic planning process, and pointed to tools such as interconnection reforms and demand flexibility. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with several follow-up requests for reports and data.

Transcript Highlights:

• looked at for financial services companies as well as insurance companies that have entered into a contract
• They want the ability to know that, and they will disclose that to their contractee in that private contract
• that they're going to use license plate data to enforce the contract."
• And there's a process that's already in place that we're not changing with this bill.

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They ended that contract with Stride K12, their contractor, this last year. 3,000 students from that
• So I want to distinguish that between virtual charter schools whose charters and contracts are approved
• mean to harp on this—I hope that this sounds informational enough, any sort of indictment of the process
• overlooks the fact—excuse me—if the nonprofit online won't be funded, but it doesn't say if the district contracts

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , with Washington State Ferries, so we're very, very We're very excited this summer to execute a contract
• use this biennium for vessel preservation, and we're very happy that ferries right now has three contracts
• use this biannium for vessel preservation, and we're very happy that ferries right now has three contracts
• tried to max out what they would have through all of the design, you know, environmental kind of process

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met on January 13, 2026, for a work session on Governor Ferguson’s proposed 2026 supplemental transportation budget and a public hearing on Senate Bill 6005, which makes supplemental transportation appropriations for the 2025–27 biennium. Committee staff reviewed the transportation budget outlook, noting that the 2025 session had balanced the transportation budget over four years with significant new revenues, but that recent fuel-tax and Climate Commitment Act forecasts had softened the long-term outlook. Staff and the governor’s budget team said the proposal still leaves the budget in positive shape while addressing major needs such as preservation, ferry replacement, maintenance, and the state self-insurance account. The governor’s office described a $16.8 billion transportation budget proposal centered on preservation and maintenance, including $3.1 billion in bonding for eligible preservation projects, $1.1 billion for three new ferries, additional ferry preservation funding, pavement and bridge work, maintenance funding, County Road Administration Board startup money, State Patrol communications upgrades, DOL service access improvements, dredging for the Lower Columbia River, and restored regional mobility grant funding. Committee members asked about ferry capacity, DOL mobile offices, self-insurance costs, and whether additional preservation money could be used in 2026. Testifiers from cities, counties, labor, ports, construction, business, and environmental groups generally supported the emphasis on preservation, ferry reliability, local road funding, and freight projects, while some urged broader transit and rail investment and one witness criticized the budget’s spending approach. During public testimony on SB 6005, speakers from Bainbridge Island and ferry communities supported ferry investments and reliability improvements; local government and labor representatives backed preservation funding and better working conditions for transportation workers; business and construction groups endorsed maintenance, paving, bridge repair, and the Lower Columbia dredging item; and port and environmental advocates supported freight, port electrification, and rail funding. One witness raised concerns about the cost and long-term implications of hybrid-electric ferry maintenance, and another urged restraint in spending. The hearing ended after testimony, with the chair noting the sign-in tally and adjourning the committee without a vote on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• for light mitigating technology process for light mitigating technology that<01:58:04.159><c> is</c>
• </c> &gt;&gt; Um, this amendment clarifies the process &gt;&gt; Um, this amendment clarifies the process
• And it is because we had an incredibly frustrating budget process around Medicaid and how to evaluate
• to expedite it that people processes to expedite it that people that<02:21:17.040><c> deserve</c><02
• </c><02:38:51.040><c> and</c> First of all, the um uh the process and First of all, the um uh the process

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They both participated heavily in the processing of all these projects that came in.
• The CDE had the evaluator go out, and we had the same process.
• The CDE had the evaluator go out, and we had the same process.
• The CDE had the evaluator go out, and we had the same process.
• The CDE had the evaluator go out, and we had the same process.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee approved the October 15 minutes and observed a moment of silence for the victims of the UPS Worldport plane crash. The main presentation was from Transportation Cabinet Commissioner Bobby Joe Lewis on the Local Assistance Road Program/County Priority Projects Program (LAARP/CPP), which was implemented under House Bill 546 and now requires rehabilitation projects to restore roads to original condition, cap funding at $500,000 per project, use a new scoring matrix, include a local match, and submit one photograph per 300 feet of project length. He reported that the 2026-2027 cycle ran from June 1 to October 1 and drew 1,215 project applications from 107 counties and 106 cities, with total submitted project costs of about $121.1 million and about $102.3 million requested after local match. He also said 30% of submissions scored 10s and 22% scored 9s, and that the list of requests and required photos had been submitted to the General Assembly and LRC. Members asked about how scores change over time, whether roads can move from lower scores to 10s, and whether the new process gives a better picture of local needs. Lewis said scores can change based on weather and road conditions, but the new system provides more information and a more standardized evaluation than before. Several members raised concerns about the volume and size of required photographs, suggesting drone footage or video as an alternative; Lewis said the photo requirement has caused confusion and large file uploads, and he was open to considering easier ways to document conditions. Members also discussed continuity in scoring across districts, and Lewis explained that district staff appointed by chief district engineers use a handbook and scoring matrix, with the scores entered into a computer system so evaluators do not see the final score while scoring. The committee also discussed funding levels and carry-forward balances for the program. Lewis said the program began with $20 million authorized in HR92, noted underruns from completed projects, and reported a carry-forward amount that had grown to $355,432.42 available for reauthorization as of October 13. In response to questions, he said the current process concentrates applications into a short window, with 63% of applications arriving in the last few days and 417 on October 1, which created a heavy workload but was completed on time. The meeting then moved to multimodal funding priorities, with Jennifer Kersner of Kentuckians for Better Transportation introducing herself and offering condolences for the UPS aviation incident before beginning her remarks.

Transcript Highlights:

• The funding will support 2,617 beds with approximately 876 contracted staff.
• That's the intent of the process.
• And so I thank you because I know that in this process is very difficult.
• I started having contractions at 22 weeks.
• There's a process, and the first step in that process is the appointment of a personal representative

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then adopted the special order report and moved into a series of budget-related bills. The chamber first took up HB 5011/SB 2506 on environmental resource management and natural resources funding, where Democrats argued the bill would reduce recurring support for the Resilient Florida program, the Florida Wildlife Corridor, invasive species removal, and other conservation efforts. Supporters said the change would shift money from recurring to nonrecurring funding so the Legislature could reassess priorities each year and rely more on private-sector stewardship. After a strike-all amendment and conference posture change, SB 2506 passed 97-12. HB 5013, reducing state-funded property reinsurance reserves, passed 108-0, and HB 5501, redirecting documentary stamp tax distributions from housing and transportation trust funds into general revenue, passed 82-26 after extended debate over its impact on affordable housing and transportation funding. The House also passed HB 5015 on state group insurance, which requires DMS to develop a formulary management system and was described as producing significant savings; members raised concerns about prescription access and implementation, but the bill passed 109-0. HB 5201 on state financial accounting and HB 5203 on the Capitol Center both passed unanimously, as did HB 5009, which creates a Florida Accountability Office and reorganizes audit functions. The chamber then passed HB 7031, a major sales tax reduction bill lowering the state sales tax rate and several related rates; supporters framed it as permanent relief for all Floridians, while opponents said property tax relief would be more meaningful and that the sales tax cut would also benefit tourists and out-of-state visitors. HB 7031 passed 112-0. The House then began consideration of HB 501, the proposed fiscal year 2025-26 budget, totaling $112.9 billion and emphasizing reduced recurring spending and large reserves. Subcommittee chairs outlined their budget silos: K-12 education at $20.6 billion with teacher raises, school hardening, literacy, transportation stipends, and security funding for Jewish day schools; health care at $47 billion with full Medicaid and KidCare funding, opioid settlement spending, mental health beds, and senior services; transportation/economic development at $18.5 billion; agriculture and natural resources at $5.8 billion with reduced Everglades spending but continued water, resiliency, and land management funding; higher education at $8.7 billion; state administration at $2.9 billion; justice at $7.3 billion; and IT at $529 million for Florida PALM, FX, and other systems. Members then began questioning the K-12 budget, focusing on FEFP funding, proration, voucher growth, stabilization dollars, mental health and school safety funding, and whether districts would be held harmless under the proposed allocations.

Transcript Highlights:

• There was a process for enforcing the settlement agreement and we are engaged in that process currently
• Supported and so, so is this entire process.
• , we're creating process and process, co-neutrals and arbitrators, and we're not saving lives.
• advanced screening process in our office.
• Uh, contract attorneys that that assist us in that screening process, um, because particularly for the

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's basically the same process in the way in which they're funded.
• Thank you for giving the information about where you are in the process.
• So everything that the board decides has to go through the APA process.
• I had a lot of contract nurses in a stay I had a couple of years ago, and almost every nurse was a contract
• Does your budget provide for updates for the admissions process?

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee met on March 17 to review the FY27 budgets for the Department of Education and several special schools and commissions. Fiscal staff outlined the Department of Education’s roughly $6.4 billion budget, noting that most funding goes to the Minimum Foundation Program and subgrantee assistance. Major changes discussed included the removal of one-time teacher pay stipends, increases for the LA GATOR scholarship program, and projected adjustments in early childhood funding. Members also reviewed the constitutional amendment proposal tied to using about $2 billion to pay down teacher retirement obligations and provide future teacher pay raises. Dr. Cade Brumley testified that Louisiana’s education outcomes have improved and answered questions on math performance, charter school funding, the LA GATOR scholarship, and the special education Choice program. Members pressed the department on the sustainability and balance of funding between LA GATOR and Choice, the number of applicants and current recipients, and outreach efforts. Brumley said charter schools are funded through the MFP like other public schools, that LA GATOR currently serves about 5,500 students with applications recently reaching about 17,000, and that the Choice program serves about 500 students with a waiting list of about 700 applicants. He also said the department would implement whatever funding levels the legislature approves. The committee then heard the special schools and commissions budget, including the Special School District, Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts, Thrive Academy, École Pointe-au-Chien, Louisiana Public Broadcasting, and BESE. Testimony focused on facility needs, enrollment, and program outcomes. LSU? No—LSM leaders described urgent roof and ceiling repairs estimated at about $800,000, while Thrive Academy highlighted student achievement, community service requirements, and economic impact. LPB said it is facing a federal funding loss of about $2.5 million and is responding with higher Passport fees, underwriting, and private fundraising. BESE’s small staff and administrative role were also explained, with members asking about board operations and the use of statutory dedication funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• <03:42:18.160><c> million</c> building contract over 100 million building contract over 100 million dollars
• that federal contracts, ensures that federal contracts, programs,<04:13:55.760><c> and</c><04:13:56.000
• processes are working properly<04:26:33.120><c> and</c><04:26:33.800><c> efficiently.
• So, it is important that we modernize our export control process to help protect it.
• Basically, he said, "It due process.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, May 5, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with the Regent process that the Regent<00:02:54.239><c> joint</c><00:02:54.560><c> committee</c><00
• This is about a fair process.
• The disciplinary process protects law enforcement officers.
• This is about a fair process.
• This is about a fair process.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• insulin, processed food, body processed insulin, processed food, metabolize<00:29:27.840><c> things<
• But I would not in this process.
• ,</c><00:44:36.880><c> I</c> comfortable with in your process, I comfortable with in your process, I
• So that process is moving along well.
• So in the contract and all of that.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee began by discussing 15 retained bills and the chair’s preference to keep them alive through interim study rather than kill them, using them as vehicles for further discussion and possible later amendments. The chair said the bills would be executed out by November and then move to the House floor in January, and members generally agreed that interim study was the prevailing motion for the retained bills. Several health-related bills were then discussed. On Senate Bill 247, concerning pharmacy network exclusion when PBM reimbursement is below acquisition cost, members said the issue had been presented differently in prior discussions and noted unfamiliar intermediaries such as PSAOs; the bill was viewed as too complex to resolve immediately, so interim study was favored. A bill on treatment alternatives to opiates was said to need an amendment from the Insurance Department, and a bill on self-funded employer access to claims data was described as having changed substantially through amendment; the sponsor explained it was intended to incentivize self-funded plans to opt into the state’s all-payer claims database (CHIS) so their data could be used for cost analysis, and members indicated a separate bill would be brought later. The committee spent the most time on a glucose monitoring bill, with testimony from a sponsor and a parent of a type 1 diabetic describing the medical benefits of continuous glucose monitors, especially for preventing dangerous lows and managing fluctuations. Opponents and committee members raised concerns about the cost of a mandate, the effect on premiums in the individual and small-group markets, and whether the bill should require coverage without a prescription; one member cited medical literature suggesting limited evidence for non-insulin users. The chair concluded the bill was headed to interim study and said the committee would do further homework on the economic impact, especially for type 1 coverage. The meeting then moved on to a bill about insurer audits and clawbacks, where the Insurance Department commissioner explained that the issue involved several separate provider-payment problems that had recently come to the department’s attention and that the department would provide a report and work with the sponsor on next steps.