Transcript Highlights:

• Burns School of Medicine reflects his deep passion for advancing health care across our islands.
• Also, uh sounds like to learn in school.
• </c> more science in our schools. more science in our schools.
• But with our test scores public schools.
• ><c> focus</c><01:19:29.840><c> on</c> think our schools should focus on think our schools should focus

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and high school students.
• </c><00:42:54.640><c> This</c><00:42:54.800><c> is</c> school and high school students.
• This is school and high school students.
• a medical school campus in St.
• a medical school campus in St.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to point out that the scheme here did not involve our school nutrition programs or school
• ><c> staff</c><00:03:10.840><c> I</c> programs or School nutrition staff I programs or School nutrition
• </c> months when students are not in school months when students are not in school or<00:08:18.199><c
• > during</c><00:08:18.639><c> unexpected</c><00:08:19.280><c> school</c> or during unexpected school
• </c> a a program expert in after school a a program expert in after school programming<01:15:54.679><

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• in 21st century at schools that don't offer those programs.
• First of all, thank you for community schools funding.
• And the gas I buy to transport school-aged children to and from school while their parents work as nurses
• Private schools should not be funded by public dollars.
• Dan Merwin, on behalf of the California School Boards Association.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the 2026 Budget Act, which leaders said was the negotiated compromise with the Senate and was expected to move to the floor that evening. Opening remarks emphasized that the plan balances the budget over two years, reduces the structural deficit, and builds reserves, while also protecting core services in the face of federal cuts. Jason Sisney outlined the legislative budget framework and the likely floor bills, including AB 109, SB 110, SB 122, and SB 125. Department of Finance representative Eric Khali said the administration appreciated the two-year balanced approach and supported the modification in SB 122, while noting the package uses additional revenues and new spending to soften or reject some proposed cuts. Most of the discussion focused on major spending areas. Members and subcommittee chairs highlighted protections and additions for health care and human services, including rejecting the proposed Medi-Cal asset limit change, delaying premium increases, restoring clinic and dental funding, supporting distressed hospitals and county indigent care, and expanding county eligibility staffing to handle H.R. 1-related workload. Education members described record or expanded support for TK-12 schools, child care, special education, community colleges, teacher recruitment, and higher education, including a change to extend Cal Grant eligibility to age 30 for some community college students. Housing and homelessness funding was increased for HAP, multifamily housing, and the low-income housing tax credit, while public safety members pointed to investments in victims’ services, restorative justice, and prison closure savings. Several members also raised concerns or priorities tied to the budget deal. Some praised the package as a moral document that protects vulnerable Californians, immigrant communities, LGBTQ residents, seniors, and people with disabilities. Others noted unresolved issues, including the MCO tax’s impact on districts, the need for more support for local journalism, arts, biotech R&D incentives, transit and GGRF-related concerns, and the need for continued work on Prop. 98 and long-term fiscal resilience. The vice chair cautioned that despite the current progress, the state remains vulnerable to revenue volatility and warned that the budget should build more resilience against a possible downturn. No formal vote was taken in the portion provided, but the committee was preparing the budget package for floor action and final negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• districts and the cities and towns within those school districts as defined in that radius.
• </c><00:26:27.919><c> districts,</c> 45% to counties, school districts, 45% to counties, school districts
• </c> geographical area of the school geographical area of the school districts<00:26:36.559><c> within
• </c> in a circular radius and whatever school in a circular radius and whatever school districts<00:26
• </c> towns within uh those school districts towns within uh those school districts as<00:27:07.679><c

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to recognize Bay County High School, Clay County High School, Fleming Island High School, Orange
• County, Coe High School, Lake Buena Vista High School.
• Island High School, Orange County, Coee High School, Lake Winna Vista High School, one.
• County, Coe High School, Lake Brunna Vista High School. Welcome to the Florida House.
• to school.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for Walton County Deputy Will May, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. The Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report for April 3, 2025 was adopted, and CS/HB 947 was recommitted to the Judiciary Committee. The chamber then moved through a series of bills, mostly reviser and technical measures, with several companion Senate bills substituted and passed: SB 36 (Florida statutes adoption act), SB 42 (general reviser’s bill), SB 40 (deleting inoperative statutory provisions), and SB 38 (renaming references from the Division of Investigative and Forensic Services to the Division of Criminal Investigations). All of those passed unanimously or near-unanimously. The House also passed HB 513 on electronic transmittal of court orders, requiring clerks to electronically send certain petitions, notices, summonses, and orders within six hours, including Baker Act, Marchman Act, and risk protection order documents. Members discussed whether judges needed to direct transmission and whether there were fail-safes if clerks did not comply. HB 615, on electronic delivery of notices between landlords and tenants, was amended to strengthen tenant protections and passed 108-0. HB 655 establishing a regulatory framework for pet insurance, HB 299 on elevator accessibility requirements, and HB 1145 on workforce education also passed, with HB 1145 receiving 100 yeas and 4 nays. HB 649, removing the paper supervised protocol for certified registered nurse anesthetists, passed 77-30 after structured debate. A major portion of the meeting focused on CS/HB 1205, which would significantly revise Florida’s citizen initiative process. The bill adds a $1 million bond requirement after 25% of required signatures are collected, requires petition handlers to be Florida residents and U.S. citizens, imposes background checks and training for paid circulators, shortens petition turn-in deadlines to 10 days, increases penalties, adds signature revocation notices, and creates additional criminal penalties and enforcement provisions. Supporters argued the changes were needed to address fraud and protect petition integrity; opponents said the bill would burden First Amendment activity and make citizen-led amendments much harder to qualify. Numerous amendments were offered, including proposals to remove sensitive personal information from petition forms, soften deadlines and penalties, change validation thresholds, and alter the estimating conference process; most failed, though one amendment clarifying who pays for background checks was adopted. The transcript ends during continued debate on an amendment to strike most of the bill and prohibit public funds from being used to advocate for or against constitutional amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• I BEGAN TO FLY IN HIGH SCHOOL IN 1967.
• RIDDLE AND BIGGER FLIGHT SCHOOLS ARE EXEMPT FROM PAYING THESE FEES ALTOGETHER.
• HOUSE BILL 283 IS SCHOOL ZONE AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY.
• HOUSE BILL 283 IS SCHOOL ZONE AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY.
• TO AND FROM SCHOOL.

Transcript Highlights:

• More Idaho kids are choosing to stay in Idaho after high school than ever before.
• But we were clear on one... ...thing: K-12 schools are not subject to cuts.
• That starts with our public schools.
• so schools can stay flexible and responsive to local needs.
• is... ...why, even in a year of reduced revenues, schools remain our top priority.

Summary: The Idaho House convened for the opening day of the second regular session of the 68th Legislature, with ceremonial opening proceedings including the color guard, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance. The House received and filed several gubernatorial certificates appointing members to fill House vacancies, including Ann Henderson-Haws (District 16), Michael Veile (District 35), Donald Hall (District 25), and Aaron Bingham (District 32), and the Secretary of State’s certificate listing all House members for the session was also filed. The chamber then adopted House Concurrent Resolution 20, which authorizes a joint session with the Senate to hear the governor’s message, after suspending the rules by a 69-aye vote. The House also approved standing committee assignments for the session and filed a letter appointing an acting chief clerk. Committees were appointed to notify the governor and the Senate that the House was organized, and later to escort the Senate to the House chamber for the joint session. No substantive legislation was debated beyond HCR 20, and the House moved through organizational business only. In the joint session, Governor Brad Little delivered the State of the State and budget address, outlining his “Enduring Idaho Plan.” He emphasized continued tax cuts, reduced regulation, a balanced budget, protection of K-12 funding, support for Idaho LAUNCH, rural health care investments, water infrastructure, and maintaining the state’s AAA credit rating. He also highlighted public safety efforts, alignment with President Trump’s agenda, and Idaho’s defense of its women’s sports law. After the address, the Legislature voted to print the governor’s message in the House and Senate journals, dissolved the joint session, and the House adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• On the campuses, so undesirable that they will go to other schools, uh, that indeed was, if you remember
• what Lenorawley would always say, you guys should go to other schools.
• You shouldn't go to these schools.
• First, they want to take our resources, then they want to take public school funding. What's next?
• My friend chose UT over other schools because this program existed for them.

Transcript Highlights:

• The seven schools, including this medical school...
• With seven schools including this medical school and nursing school, public health, UT Health Houston
• With seven schools including this medical school and nursing school, public health, UT Health Houston
• , a school named after him in San Antonio.
• He repealed the laws of this state that said it was illegal to speak Spanish in a public school.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So are we working with just the school districts, or...? We work with school districts.
• That team works with all of our school districts, as well as all of our schools around the state, to
• So we do have a great partnership with all of our schools, all of our school districts, to provide...
• while school is in session.
• We also serve charter schools and private schools as well.

Keywords: 977, all

Summary: The committee met to receive a detailed financial operations presentation from the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency, with staff walking members through funding sources, budgeting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and grants management. Sabrina Walker explained VR’s blended funding structure, including federal grants, state appropriations, program income, and interagency contracts, and emphasized that state funds are essential to meeting the federal match and maintenance-of-effort requirements. Members asked repeatedly about transparency, audit controls, and the risk that state cuts could reduce federal drawdowns; staff responded that all reports reconcile back to the SCEIS accounting system, are subject to state audits and internal reviews, and that even modest state reductions could significantly reduce total available funding. The committee also discussed pre-employment transition services for students with disabilities, with staff confirming services are offered through school districts, charters, and private schools, and that contracts are monitored for performance and compliance. The presentation then shifted to budgeting and internal controls. Walker described a zero-based departmental budgeting process, monthly monitoring reports, contingency reserves for unexpected expenses, and a formal annual cycle that culminates in board approval. Members asked about facilities tracking, culture, and how the agency maintains accountability; staff said facilities staff inspect buildings and equipment, supervisors justify line-item requests, and the process has become smoother over time as departments learned the system. Cynthia Johnson followed with an accounts receivable overview, describing invoicing, receipting, aging, customer verification, year-end reporting, and the use of cross-training, shared email inboxes, and spreadsheets as checks and balances. She also explained work training center billing, interdepartmental transfers, and the revolving fund used to issue consumer checks more quickly than standard vendor payments. Olivia Perez presented accounts payable operations, including invoice processing through SCEIS and OnBase, the three-way match, travel reimbursements, revolving fund checks, State Treasury Office interactions, and handling of reversals, rejections, and levy notices. She reported that AP processed 67,723 SCEIS payments, 13,670 case management system invoices, 3,379 travel reimbursements, and 15,693 revolving fund checks in fiscal year 2025, with only 70 payment rejections. The final portion of the meeting covered Grants and Funds Management, where Walker explained federal reporting, drawdowns, payroll allocation, asset tracking, lease and IT contract reviews, cost allocation, and closing packages. She noted upcoming system changes such as S/4HANA, Workiva, and SC Pro, but said the agency is receiving training and feedback opportunities. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the presentation portion beyond approval of the prior minutes and a brief recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> administrative burden on school administrative burden on school districts<00:05:48.320><c> and</c>
• </c><00:18:06.480><c> principal</c> example, when I was a school principal example, when I was a school
• </c><00:32:20.000><c> and</c> depends upon the individual school and depends upon the individual school
• </c><00:47:04.960><c> for</c> child needs to go to Perkins School for child needs to go to Perkins School
• </c> been told when I had trusted the school been told when I had trusted the school that<00:53:55.920

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> something to protect uh local school something to protect uh local school districts<00:34:06.960
• It's whether the state's going to step up to the role and protect school districts or school districts
• The most important thing for school boards, the most important thing for school districts and voters,
• That is I have as a school as well.
• </c> a at a school. a at a school.

Committee: House Education Funding

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• School Building Authority.
• I know his family; his parents were teachers, his grandparents were teachers at our public schools.
• For 90 years, it was used as the town's only school building, serving grades first through high school
• town's only school building, serving grades first through high school.
• So I think this is much needed, just like the schools.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security heard testimony on several bills, with strong support expressed for a proposed municipal and public safety building authority (H. 2571/S. 1650). Municipal officials, fire chiefs, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, regional planning leaders, and Senator Comerford described aging town halls, fire stations, DPW facilities, and other local buildings, especially in small towns and gateway cities, and argued that local budgets and Proposition 2 1/2 make major capital projects difficult to fund. Testimony emphasized the need for a dedicated revenue stream, with the bill proposing a share of marijuana excise tax revenue and a rural funding set-aside. Committee members asked about prioritization and funding levels, and witnesses said even a modest start would help address a large statewide backlog. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the committee later adjourned unanimously. The committee also heard testimony on H. 2689, requiring fuel gas alarms/detectors in residential dwellings using explosive gases. Representative Jeff Roy, Susan Brown, Jason Cohn, and representatives from NEMA and Kidde supported the bill, describing it as a life-saving measure similar to carbon monoxide detector requirements. Witnesses cited the 2015 Franklin propane explosion that killed Nancy and Robert Brown, the Merrimack Valley gas explosions, and national fire data showing fatalities and property damage from gas leaks. They said detectors are affordable, commercially available, and should be required where gas is used; one witness noted battery-backed or battery-operated options exist. Committee questions focused on cost, battery power, outdoor propane setups, and whether the bill would cover private databases or only residential safety devices. Another major topic was S. 1755 on missing and abducted children. Senator Pavel Payano testified in favor, citing the case of Lee Manuel Villoria Paolino and arguing that misclassification of missing children as runaways can delay urgent response and worsen outcomes, especially for Black and brown youth. He said the bill would set minimum law enforcement response standards, require training, and expand multilingual intake forms. The committee also heard support for expanding the state DNA database through familial DNA searching, with Dr. Amory Myers explaining that the technology could help solve long-unsolved cases while including guardrails to prevent use of private consumer DNA databases. Finally, the committee heard extensive testimony on H. 2740, “Colby’s Law,” establishing safety standards for BMX and motocross tracks. Colby Lippincott’s family, community members, and industry representatives described his fatal crash and urged requirements for medical staff, insurance, inspections, warning systems, barriers, and access roads. Witnesses said the bill would not end the sport but would create basic protections, and the committee heard that Massachusetts would join a number of other states with similar standards. The hearing ended with a motion to adjourn, which passed unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• It surprises me that only Region 1 has schools.
• The schools are one of those entities.
• We are sending invitations to school counselors, different school districts, but it really does take
• That is the Peñasco School District. Okay, you know that.
• And we only had two people from the school district attend.

Bills: HB1

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: feed bill, legislative appropriations, legislative branch, New Mexico Legislature, general fund, legislative council service, legislative finance committee, legislative education study committee, house chief clerk, senate chief clerk, per diem, mileage, session expenses, interim committees, district staff, capitol complex, capital outlay data system, legislative processing system, redistricting, census redistricting

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the other statutory change that was up there is we added $330 million for public schools in
• So all of those growth impacts In public schools that are all statutorily driven, right?
• PICEF also has a statutory cap of 15% of the public schools appropriation.
• of schools to actually come into our plan.
• I think they're breaking out separately. teachers, the schools to actually come into our plan.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee received a broad budget overview from Legislative Services staff on the state’s fiscal position, focusing on the general fund, structural balance, cash reconciliation, and the governor’s budget recommendations for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Staff explained that projected revenues are below the current budgeted level, creating a need for either budget reductions or the use of cash balances and reserve funds to maintain balance. They reviewed major drivers of spending growth over recent years, including Medicaid expansion, public schools, the State Public Defender, IT services, and water resources, and noted that these statutory and ongoing obligations are crowding out other spending. Members also discussed the governor’s proposed use of interest earnings and reserve balances from several funds, the Budget Stabilization Fund cap, and the policy question of whether changes to fund interest allocations would require legislation or could be handled through appropriation language. The committee also reviewed current-year adjustments, including supplementals, rescissions, deficiency warrants, and the governor’s proposed holdbacks. Specific items discussed included public school enrollment adjustments, the proposed rescission of Empowering Parents funding, Medicaid growth and provider rate changes, Department of Corrections costs tied to inmate placement and medical services, invasive species treatment funding, and a possible tax conformity impact tied to federal law changes. Members asked about fire suppression deficiency funding, the use of reserve balances, and the difference between current-law and governor-recommended spending levels. Staff emphasized that the governor’s budget relies on short-term money and reserve transfers to smooth the current deficit, while the legislature must decide whether to follow that approach or make deeper structural changes. Later, staff provided an overview of the budget hearing process and the Legislative Budget Book, explaining the standard reports, agency organization charts, fund analyses, performance measures, and five-year snapshots that committees will use during hearings. Another presentation clarified the difference between deficiency warrants and supplemental appropriations, noting that deficiency warrants cover certain last-year expenses authorized by statute, while supplementals adjust the current-year appropriation and can apply to general, dedicated, or federal funds. The committee then heard a detailed presentation on state health insurance costs, including rising medical claims, reserve balances, the 80/20 employee-employer cost split, and projected FY 2027 premium increases. Members asked about school district participation in the state plan, the role of the insurance carrier contract, and whether broader participation could lower costs. No votes were taken during the meeting, and the committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• So for most schools, that would be outside of the norm.
• that they want to perform for that school.
• would be normal work for a regular employee at that school.
• He was doing return to work, teaching dance at the school.
• School has hired employees to do, then that's not going to be an independent job because the school already

Committee: House Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Schools. Under this bill, it allows that money to go to charter schools.
• money to help with the schools, under this bill, it allows those. schools.
• The changes to the bill: the House bill authorizes a coach employed by a school or school district to
• The House bill authorizes a coach employed by a school or school district to use personal funds to support
• to K-12 schools or students.

Summary: The Florida Senate convened with a quorum, heard an opening prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a series of introductions recognizing guests, interns, public servants, and a Senate resolution honoring Indiana University quarterback Fernando Mendoza for winning the Heisman Trophy. The chamber then proceeded to the special order calendar, with several measures temporarily postponed before debate began on the day’s bills. The Senate passed CS/CS/HB 355 on health care patient protection, requiring hospitals with emergency departments to adopt pediatric emergency care policies, training, coordinators, and readiness assessments for children. It also passed CS/HB 1113 on public records, which narrows and clarifies confidentiality protections for victims and law enforcement officers who become victims, and CS/CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity, creating a state-administered program through Florida Digital Service to help local governments obtain cybersecurity services and data-sharing support. The chamber also approved CS/HB 925 on clerks of court, allowing clerks to retain all revenue above annual projections and revising related fee distributions, and CS/HB 679 modernizing trademark registration by moving to the federal classification system and creating an online filing portal. The Senate also passed CS/CS/CS/HB 589 on septic system permits, aligning the bill with Senate language and clarifying liability if construction begins before a permit is issued. CS/HB 679 and the other noncontroversial measures passed unanimously or with broad support, while CS/HB 1113 passed 33-4 and CS/HB 1085 passed 37-0 after amendments. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on land use and clerks of court. The most extensive debate came on the elections bill, CS/CS/HB 991, which would use DHSMV Real ID data to verify citizenship, change candidate-qualifying rules, alter acceptable photo IDs, and revise election administration procedures. Numerous amendments were offered and rejected, including proposals to protect voters who cannot afford citizenship documents, exempt older long-time voters, preserve student and retirement-center IDs, and delay the effective date. The Senate adopted an amendment that retained the citizenship-verification framework and added provisions on candidate disclosures, but the bill remained under debate at the end of the transcript, with senators arguing over voter access, fraud prevention, and the practical impact on students and seniors.

Transcript Highlights:

• They arrive at school hungry.
• They arrive at school hungry.
• Despite his challenges, Kane was committed to staying in school.
• he was reading well below his grade level into high school.
• In Kin-GAP, it terminates at 19 if they're going through high school.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• High school students each year.
• I learned them as a high school student as part of a workforce investment program at Oakland Public School
• The LA Music Center has an educational program that pairs professional artists with schools.
• And Doherty, we have the School of the Arts, which is... ...and Doherty, we have the School of the Arts
• I think they had the first school; this is the second.

Committee: House Joint Committee on the Arts

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Arts held an informational hearing on California’s first sector-specific creative economy strategic plan, “California’s Future Is Creative,” developed under AB 127 and related legislation. Chair Allen framed the plan as a response to California’s large but vulnerable creative economy, citing workforce losses, federal funding headwinds, and the need to support artists, cultural organizations, public media, museums, cultural districts, and film/TV production. He also highlighted budget asks including support for California Humanities, museums, public media, cultural districts, a post-production incentive proposal (AB 2319), and funding to implement the strategic plan. California Arts Council Director Danielle Brazel, Institute for the Future’s Rachel Hatch, CDE’s Allison Frenzel, and CWDB’s Michael Weoff described the planning process, which included a 30-plus-member work group, interagency coordination, and a phased approach from framework development to implementation and evaluation. They identified major forces shaping the sector over the next decade, including AI, climate disruption, affordability, access to capital, and social cohesion, and outlined six action areas: workforce preparation, business stabilization, cultural identity/tourism, cross-sector incentives, ROI/data tracking, and state capacity/infrastructure. Members and panelists repeatedly emphasized that the plan must be resourced and integrated across agencies rather than left siloed. A second panel of practitioners and advocates focused on workforce pathways and local implementation. Ricarlo Handy described the Handy Foundation’s registered apprenticeship pipeline into film and TV jobs and argued that current data systems undercount gig, 1099, and LLC-based creative work. Joanna Reynolds discussed Arts for LA’s Creative Jobs Collective, which aims to create 10,000 living-wage creative jobs in Los Angeles County by 2030, while Alejandro Gutierrez Chavez urged embedding artists in health, aging, and behavioral health systems as community problem-solvers. Roxanne Messina Kaptur spoke about the need to normalize arts careers and expand residency and school-based models. Senator Rubio, who joined later, shared her own arts and teaching background, supported arts access in schools and small theaters, and raised concerns about AI, asking how schools and educators can adapt. In the final panel, Rebecca Ratzkin reported on 26 statewide town halls with more than 1,100 attendees, which confirmed support for the plan but also highlighted needs for better information access, new financial models, stronger definitions and data, and more partnerships. Julie Baker of California for the Arts and California Arts Advocates urged sustained public funding, saying the plan is actionable only if the Legislature and administration provide resources, including increased California Arts Council funding and support for implementation. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational and concluded with calls for continued legislative and cross-agency collaboration.