Transcript Highlights:

• involving a transgender student.
• , all students, were guaranteed equal access, privacy, and safety. ...ensured that transgender students
• students' pronouns or chosen names.
• opposite sex to use the bathroom, so that student who's upset that maybe a transgender student is using
• Every student deserves to be treated with respect.

Committee: Senate Senate Government Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard a series of bills on taxes, public health, veterans’ benefits, public notices, HOA rules, and school policy. SB 1045, which would bar local governments from taxing or feeing blockchain use in residences, passed 4-3 after brief discussion; supporters framed it as a tax-preemption measure, while opponents argued it would reduce local revenue. SB 1019, which would prohibit adding fluoride to public water systems, drew extensive testimony. The sponsor argued fluoride should be topical rather than systemic and cited emerging research on possible health risks, while dental and public health advocates strongly opposed the bill, citing decades of evidence that fluoridation reduces tooth decay and saves money. The committee voted 4-3 to advance the bill, with members on both sides explaining their votes at length. The committee also advanced SB 1050, granting free lifetime state park passes to Arizona veterans, after Arizona State Parks said it was neutral but warned of possible revenue losses; the bill passed 4-3. SB 1078, clarifying that court review of public-records denials is de novo, passed unanimously 7-0 with support from the Goldwater Institute and no opposition testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Aishanur was my student and mentee.
• As students, we condemn the extra... her, who will.
• As you have students, we condemn the extra. The students of the University of Washington Tacoma.
• As a student, I remember the climate in 2024.
• It protects employees and students from modern re-identification risks.

Bills: SB5000 , SB5325 , SB6044 , SB6313 , SB6084 , SB6137

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Keywords: state nickname, evergreen state, identity, cultural heritage, tourism, state cactus, symbolic designation, ecological significance, state symbols, SB 6044, Diwali, Bandi Chhor Divas, Washington state holidays, RCW 1.16.050, state holiday recognition, religious observance, Hindu holiday, Sikh holiday, cultural recognition, paid holiday

Transcript Highlights:

• Student ambassadors from Lowell, welcome to the House of Representatives.
• They show the student a picture of the word, or they ask the student to consider the rest of the sentence
• I would like to thank the gentleman... ...and student literacy.
• , students with disabilities, and students with English as a second language.
• Students with disabilities and students with English as a second language.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So when you think about who was your average Missouri college student, it actually was a student on a
• But again, things like student progression: are the students moving through the system?
• And this even ties to student debt.
• And this even ties to student debt.
• rate of students that don't receive A-plus.

Committee: House Joint Committee on Education

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Any students who love rodeo?
• Hopefully, we other students to arrive.
• I know many students that first measure.
• </c><01:05:04.240><c> who</c> to thank every single student who to thank every single student who testified
• Sorry, &gt;&gt; I want to thank all the students.

Bills: HB2045 , HB1703 , HB2461

Committee: House Culture & Arts

Keywords: La Hoihoi Ea, Sovereignty Restoration Day, state holiday, King Kamehameha III, Hawaiian history, self-determination, land use, rodeo, agricultural activities, ranching, paniolo culture, public art, cultural preservation, community identity, funding, art management, 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Culture and the Arts met on February 13 and heard testimony on HB 2045, which would designate La Hoʻihoʻi Ea Sovereignty Restoration Day as a state holiday in place of Statehood Day. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, including from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Naviʻoliʻoli Newi Foundation, and many individuals and students. Supporters said the bill would better reflect Hawaiian history, sovereignty, and self-determination, while a few agencies submitted comments. The committee recessed to allow more students to arrive and testify. After reconvening, additional student testimony continued in strong support of HB 2045. Students said the change would honor Native Hawaiian history and culture, recognize Hawaii as a sovereign nation, and provide a more historically grounded observance. Members thanked the students for traveling to testify and for sharing their perspectives. The committee then voted to pass HB 2045 with one amendment to defect the date; the motion passed unanimously with the chair, vice chair, and members voting aye, and one member excused. The committee also heard HB 1703 HD1, which authorizes rodeos and rodeo activities on lands zoned for agriculture or pastoral use. Testimony in support came from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Agribusiness Development Corporation, and the Iron Workers Stabilization Fund, with comments from the Hawaii Food and Policy group. Supporters described rodeos as cultural and social events that could boost local economies, create jobs, and provide youth and community engagement. The committee passed HB 1703 HD1 with technical amendments. Finally, the committee considered HB 2461, which would increase the ceiling for the works of art special fund and appropriate funds for preservation of the state’s public art collection and a collections manager position. After discussion, the chair said the measure would not move forward this year and recommended deferral; the committee deferred the bill and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• If the student student student completes<01:08:57.679><c> a</c><01:08:57.920><c> course</c><01:08:59.199
• </c> for a school and not for the student. for a school and not for the student.
• So, he's not a full-time student.
• So the student<01:17:22.000><c> goes</c><01:17:22.320><c> A</c> student goes A student goes A Mustang
• Schools for the solution for students who aren't there. This bill creates ghost students.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and mainly the students. and mainly the students.
• </c> were the two biggest factors in student were the two biggest factors in student success. success
• </c> encouraging growth in student encouraging growth in student performance<00:48:42.480><c> across<
• </c> help their students. help their students. Ms.<00:53:12.680><c> Blair.
• ><c> and</c><00:53:52.640><c> school</c> Some students needed books and school Some students needed books

Committee: House Primary and Secondary Education

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Participation on the educational setting in which the student was enrolled.
• Prohibits schools from imposing participation fees on students that exceed those of their enrolled students
• These pernicious foreign agents are disguised as student support groups.
• All right, I want to be a little more clear on the intent about the foreign students.
• I want to be a little more clear on the intent about the foreign students.

Bills: S0002

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: retirement, Deferred Retirement Option Program, DROP, pension contributions, Special Risk Class, retirement benefits, cost-of-living adjustment, state officials, 999, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up a long agenda of bills, including several claims bills and policy measures. It heard and approved, mostly unanimously, bills on curators of estates (SB 326, as amended), remedies under the Florida Civil Rights Act (SB 1096), a claim for Reginald Jackson against the City of Lakeland (SB 28), a DCF-related claim for L.E. (SB 6), trust administration reform (SB 786, as amended), a Broward County claim for the estate of a deceased minor (SB 18, as amended, 10-1), a DOT claim for the estate of Mark Legata (SB 26), veterans’ courts (CS/SB 50), extracurricular activities in public K-12 schools (CS/CS/SB 538, as amended), and pet sale protections for dogs and cats (SB 1004). The committee also considered the sovereign immunity claims bill (SB 1366), which was presented as a starting point for negotiations with the House and was reported favorably after testimony from local government, hospital, and school representatives who urged the Senate to hold to its current lower cap levels. The committee later approved a claims bill for the estate of Daniel Maudsley against DHSMV (SB 2). The meeting included repeated roll calls and favorable reports on each measure, with the only recorded no vote on SB 18 from Senator Osgood. Several bills drew testimony from supporters and, in some cases, objections. SB 50 on veterans’ courts received broad support from veterans’ groups, criminal justice organizations, and community advocates who said it would expand problem-solving court options for veterans dealing with service-related issues. SB 538 on extracurricular activities drew support and opposition, and was amended to address home education eligibility, a school activity fee issue, technical conforming changes, and compensation for extracurricular sponsors. SB 1004 was presented as consumer protection legislation aimed at retail pet dealers, requiring disclosure of animal health records and financing terms and creating a private right of action for violations. The committee also heard extensive testimony on SB 1178, which would create a foreign interference restriction and enforcement framework targeting foreign countries of concern and designated foreign terrorist organizations. Supporters described it as a national-security measure to limit foreign influence, protect critical infrastructure, and restrict gifts, contracts, and sister-city ties; the sponsor withdrew one amendment and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, SB 1632, dealing with ideologies inconsistent with American principles, prompted substantial questioning about due process, domestic terrorist organization designations, Sharia law references, student discipline, and notice procedures. The sponsor said the bill was intended to protect constitutional principles and target conduct rather than belief, but the transcript ends while public testimony on that bill is still underway.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> serving more than 880,000 students serving more than 880,000 students statewide.<00:29:13.760><c
• They're having their day at Students.
• These students have focused on financial literacy.
• Students<00:32:51.519><c> learn</c><00:32:51.679><c> the</c><00:32:51.919><c> core</c><00:32:52.159><
• </c> what they're doing to educate students what they're doing to educate students on<00:33:11.039><c

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , to not experience any significant financial undue hardship because of the loss of those students.
• , to not experience any significant financial undue hardship because of the loss of those students.
• Mountain View received this year funding for the students they had last year, and next year they will
• receive funding for the students they have this year, which would include any students who may decide
• students who may decide to leave and attend the newly established school districts.

Committee: All ALC-EXECUTIVE SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The Executive Subcommittee met and first approved an emergency rule change from the Department of Education to update consolidation and annexation rules to reflect Acts 919 of 2025 and 157 of the 2026 fiscal session. The rule implements the creation of new isolated school districts after local detachment votes, and officials explained the funding structure for parent districts: they retain foundation funding, declining enrollment funding, and local tax revenue, while 90% of the foundation funding generated by detaching students is forwarded to the new districts. Members discussed the financial impact in detail, and the emergency rule was approved without objection, effective upon adjournment of the Legislative Council meeting on June 19, 2026. The Department of Human Services then presented an emergency rule allowing hospitals to open separate adolescent substance use disorder units and receive payment for residential services provided to adolescents. The rule was approved without objection, and Senator Irvin requested that the topic be placed on a future public health agenda for an update. The committee also approved Whitehall’s waiver request to exceed $1 million through cooperative purchasing for construction services related to a project using a vendor with prior experience and a longer-warranty system. In addition, members voted to keep committee per diem, mileage, and expense allocations unchanged for the new fiscal year. Finally, the committee approved a motion to cancel the July 2026 Legislative Council meeting, allow only subcommittee meetings with imminent matters through July 31, and treat July subcommittee actions as final for reporting at the August 21, 2026 meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is reinforced by student-led Save Promise clubs, which empower the students themselves to lead the
• This is reinforced by student-led Save Promise clubs, which empower the students themselves to lead the
• This is reinforced by student-led Save Promise clubs, which empower the students themselves to lead the
• </c><00:15:30.800><c> This</c> particular student group. This particular student group.
• </c> from students of St. Francis as well. from students of St. Francis as well.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• thousands of students possibly um to thousands of students possibly um to allow<00:29:46.080><c> the<
• We had 7,136 students receive multiple services based on needs identified through the student support
• </c><00:32:16.960><c> may</c> perceived um issues that a student may perceived um issues that a student
• </c> it's not being brought up by the student it's not being brought up by the student or<00:33:03.600
• </c><01:00:35.720><c> would</c> survey to see how many students would survey to see how many students

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Education met on January 30 and heard testimony on several bills, beginning with an announcement asking testifiers and members to keep remarks brief because of weather. The vice chair also explained that HB 440, relating to immigration issues in schools and state hospitals, was removed from the agenda because the proposal would not create meaningful legal protections and immigration policy is governed by federal law. The committee then moved through a series of education-related measures, with testimony largely from the Department of Education, the School Facilities Authority, the Attorney General’s office, unions, advocacy groups, and individual testifiers. On HB 330, concerning school impact fees, the School Facilities Authority supported the bill as aligning policy with implementation, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii said the fee accounts have accumulated large balances, including more than $20 million in impact fee funds and nearly $9 million from predecessor fair-share contributions, and urged that collected money be used rather than left idle. DOE said it would follow up on the balance and why it was not being used. On HB 1188, dealing with workforce housing, DOE and the Charter School Commission offered comments or support, the Attorney General suggested clarifying the phrase “within commuting distance” by using a mileage standard and adding repayment language, and HSTA, HGEA, and others supported the bill, with HSTA saying teachers need housing to be able to live and work in Hawaii. On HB 624 and HB 625, both related to school psychologists, DOE said it would participate in a work group on the pathway bill and supported the incentive program bill; school psychologists and related groups supported the measures, while one testifier said DOE should not lead the work group alone because school psychologists may work in many education settings beyond DOE schools. The committee also heard HB 1314 on youth mental health in schools. DOE described its student support process, universal screening tools, and behavioral health services, saying schools already identify and respond to concerns and that staff are trained to report issues, while the Attorney General warned the bill could expose schools to liability and recommended a broad liability waiver. Testimony was mixed, with several supporters and one opponent. On HB 616, concerning school safety and harassment protections for educational workers, the Attorney General sought clarifying amendments on harassment definitions, temporary restraining order costs, and paid leave, while HSTA, HGEA, and individual teachers strongly supported the bill, describing harassment incidents and arguing for a standardized statewide response. DOE said it already has reporting pathways, visitor codes of conduct, trespass notices, and an ethics hotline, but acknowledged implementation varies by school and that staff can escalate concerns if needed. The committee also began hearing HB 88 on a three-year pilot program for athletic travel, but the transcript cuts off before that bill’s testimony is completed or any votes are taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• What about with the students, your interactions with the students at FAU?
• I've had limited interactions with the students outside of our fellow trustee or students that have made
• Did you ever learn of the diversity of the student body in terms of gender, race?
• Do you intend, as a board member, to work to increase the diversity of the student body?
• Did you ever learn of the diversity of the student body in terms of gender, race?

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met to consider several gubernatorial appointees, beginning with Matthew Walsh, Secretary of Juvenile Justice, for confirmation. Walsh outlined his law enforcement background, social work training, and priorities at DJJ, including staff wellness, seeking statutory recognition and training standards for juvenile detention and probation officers, and increasing bed capacity so adjudicated youth can move from detention into residential programming sooner. Members asked about the impact of detention “dead time” and the need for more beds; Walsh said DJJ is evaluating ways to let youth begin programming earlier while in detention. Public support was noted, and the committee voted unanimously to confirm Walsh and forward his nomination to the full Senate. The committee then heard from Tina Vidal-Duarte, nominee to the Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees. She described her business background, service on multiple boards, and prior service on FAU’s board pending confirmation, emphasizing governance, accountability, and strategic planning. Senators questioned her about FAU’s handling of faculty social media controversies, the university’s relationship with its new president, student and faculty engagement, AI planning, diversity, and her role on the Hope Florida board and with CDR Health’s state contracts, including work related to the Everglades detention center. Public testimony included strong opposition from one speaker who criticized her ties to state contracts and Hope Florida, while another senator spoke in support, citing her community service and business experience. The committee voted 5-2 to confirm her, with Senators Polsky and Bernard voting no. Afterward, the committee considered the remaining nominees in Tabs 2 through 15, excluding Tab 10, en bloc. No separate votes were requested, and the committee approved the group of nominees by voice roll call to be forwarded to the full Senate. The meeting then concluded with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• To alleviate the financial burden on students, the bill also mandates that students be provided with
• And I will say students have a lot to say about it.
• And I will say students have a lot to say about it.
• Students want to be involved in who runs our schools.
• So I think expanding this and giving students a say was an amazing part that a lot of students at our

Committee: Senate Education Postsecondary

Summary: The Committee on Education Postsecondary held confirmation hearings for two State University System Board of Governors appointees, M. Carson Good and Speaker Paul Renner. Good described his background in Florida real estate, airport governance, and fundraising, and said he would focus on improving university performance, collaboration among institutions, and growing endowments while keeping in-state tuition stable. Renner emphasized his legislative experience with higher education, and said his priorities on the Board would be transparency, compliance with legislative direction, and reducing administrative bloat. Both nominees were recommended for confirmation on a single vote, with Senator Berman noting concern about the low number of women on the board. The committee then heard and passed SB 1726, a higher education transparency bill by Senator Calatayud. The bill would require Board of Governors members to comply with constitutional financial disclosure requirements, set term limits for State Board of Education and university board members, change rules for presidential searches and public records, and require more detailed textbook and syllabus information for students. A student advocate from Florida Student Power Network supported the bill as increasing student involvement and democratic accountability in higher education. Senator Harrell raised a concern about residency requirements for Board of Governors members, and the sponsor said that issue could be revisited later. The bill was reported favorably. Next, the committee considered SB 1458 on apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship funding. A delete-all amendment was adopted that required clearer funding splits between local education agencies and program providers, annual reporting, a standard DOE contract template, and a cap on administrative fees in certain cases. Supporters from industry groups said the changes would improve transparency and accountability without requesting additional funding. The committee then reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 584 on young adult housing support. An amendment removed a requirement that state agencies act as co-signers or guarantors on leases while preserving coordination for the federal Foster Youth to Independence program. Several former foster youth and advocates testified in support, describing housing instability and its impact on education, and urging broader access to campus housing and vouchers. The sponsor said the bill prioritizes housing and work-study for homeless and former foster youth, supports the FYI program, and directs a statewide study of housing barriers. The committee reported the bill favorably and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes salaries, fringe benefits, classroom support, and student growth.
• We talked about why that's not a good idea because we're not addressing student needs.
• These student needs... Senator Smithman, is it appropriate now?
• The hybrid is hopefully a step towards student-centric funding.
• It's looked at as a district impact rather than a student impact.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• find some students.
• find some students.
• Students can or teachers can contact the students.
• find some students.
• students.

Committee: House Primary and Secondary Education

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:13:26.160><c> who</c> gains in supporting our students who gains in supporting our students who
• students in the state.
• </c> next set of items are around student next set of items are around student support<00:40:34.079><
• </c> targeted aid for bringing on student targeted aid for bringing on student support<00:40:43.680><
• ><c> to</c> students, to uh feed our students, to students, to uh feed our students, to support<01:30

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, that's not 12% of students as a whole, it's 12% of students in special education, but that's up
• as a whole, it's 12% not 12% of students as a whole, it's 12% of<00:10:08.080><c> students</c><00:10
• And many of these students with intellectual disabilities are students with autism.
• disabilities are students intellectual disabilities are students with<00:18:35.720><c> autism.
• </c> support those students. support those students.

Committee: Joint Families & Children

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our first: 1795, addressing restraint and the isolation of students in public schools and educational
• House Bill 1795, addressing restraint and isolation of students in public schools and educational programs
• repurposing, or otherwise establishing any room or other enclosed area for the primary purpose of student
• It adds that nothing precludes a temporary safe space to be used during removal of a student from his
• include temporary removal of a student from his or her regular instructional area.

Summary: The committee met for its final executive session of the session and took up several House bills related to early learning and K-12 education. House Bill 1795 on restraint and isolation in schools was briefed as prohibiting mechanical, chemical, and certain physical restraints, limiting isolation, and barring new isolation rooms; a proposed amendment to the striker was defeated, and the bill then advanced. House Bill 2219 on child care licensing and drug safety was briefed as requiring licensed child care settings to be free of high-potency synthetic opioids, drug paraphernalia, and manufacturing equipment, with amendments to add drug testing and broader controlled-substance prohibitions; both amendments failed, and the striker was adopted before the bill advanced. House Bill 1295 on literacy was described as setting curriculum and educator training requirements; the committee adopted a striking amendment that removed some district implementation and continuing-education requirements, then advanced the bill. The committee also heard briefings on House Bill 1634 on behavioral health supports in schools, House Bill 2557 on timelines for special education evaluation reports and eligibility meetings, and House Bill 2636 creating a public education review steering committee and JLARC review process, all of which had no amendments at the briefing stage. In formal action, the committee voted to adopt the striker on HB 1295 and then passed HB 1795, HB 2219, HB 1295, HB 1634, and HB 2557 out of committee with due pass recommendations. HB 2636 was also advanced, but to the Ways and Means Committee rather than the Rules Committee. Several members noted concerns about costs and unfunded mandates, particularly regarding literacy implementation and child care safety provisions, while supporters emphasized student safety, child care safety, and clarity in existing law. The meeting ended with thanks to staff and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• For our students, a student is considered chronically absent if they are excused absent more than 10%
• And then that obviously is an impact to our students.
• </c> sound like this is benefiting students sound like this is benefiting students is<00:56:06.400><c
• </c><01:20:36.000><c> so</c> districts so um and and our students so districts so um and and our students
• </c> our students our students exceptionally<01:35:02.719><c> it's</c><01:35:03.000><c> really</c><01

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee opened by approving the January 16 and January 21 minutes. Members then heard testimony focused on the impact of Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) and the proposed paid family and medical leave program on Minnesota school districts, with the chair framing the hearing as an opportunity to hear from major employers and school leaders about costs and operational effects. Kimberly Lewis, speaking for the Minnesota School Boards Association and related school administrator groups, said districts generally already provide generous, locally negotiated sick leave and had initially adapted to ESST by separating vacation, sick time, and ESST into different buckets. She argued that a 2024 law effectively converted previously bargained sick leave into ESST, which she said undermines contracts, creates large unfunded costs, and may raise constitutional contract-clause concerns. Lewis cited large accumulated leave banks in some districts, increased sick leave use, and estimated significant costs from paid leave, including a reported $2.5 million impact for one large district. She urged flexibility such as prorating ESST for midyear hires and part-time staff and exempting coaches, short-term substitutes, and similar employees from ESST. Superintendent Anarie Fuco of St. Michael-Albertville said her district expects about $400,000 in added fiscal 2026 costs from ESST and paid leave, plus indirect costs from substitute coverage and increased absenteeism. She said schools already have generous bargaining agreements, but the new laws reduce verification and require districts to track leave for temporary staff, creating what she described as a need for “substitutes for our substitutes.” Fuco said the district would face more than $211,000 in direct payroll costs from paid leave alone and asked for flexibility or exceptions for districts already offering comparable benefits. Members asked follow-up questions about how substitute teachers accrue leave and how many districts may be cutting budgets; Lewis and Fuco said many districts are making cuts and that substitute and staffing burdens are growing. A third testifier began by Zoom, but the transcript cuts off before her full testimony.