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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Session Jan 22nd, 2026
Massachusetts Joint Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The colors will be posted by the Lynn English High School Marine Corps Junior ROTC.
- As the group departs, let's all thank the Lynn English High School Marine Corps Junior ROTC.
- LGBT families worried about their kids being targeted or bullied at school.
- Here in Massachusetts, we saw a high school student on the way to volleyball practice arrested.
- It starts with lowering costs and making life more affordable, making our schools even better for our
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill to create day honoring MN regiment at Battle of Gettysburg considered in committee 3/18/25
Transcript Highlights:
- providing that the governor would issue a proclamation to honor this observance and to encourage schools
- ><00:03:08.120><c> uh</c><00:03:08.319><c> to</c><00:03:08.680><c> encourage</c><00:03:09.680><c> schools
- </c> observance and uh to encourage schools observance and uh to encourage schools across<00:03:10.720
- about the teach school children about the importance<00:07:14.319><c> of</c><00:07:14.560><c> this</
- But it is a very important topic, and I do think school children across the state of Minnesota really
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 03/11/25
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- last school year.
- last school year.
- last school year.
- last school year.
- last school year.
Committee:
Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Several other licenses also do not recognize alternative schools, non-public schools, as accreditation
- school—think private, religious, homeschooled—are fully equivalent to an accredited public high school
- It eliminates the outdated accredited high school-only barrier.
- It simply says if you've earned a high school diploma in Idaho, you've earned a high school diploma,
- had public school.
Committee:
House Business
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from February 19 and March 11. It then heard Senate Bill 1285, which would make high school diplomas from non-public schools, including homeschool, equivalent to public school diplomas or GEDs for Idaho occupational and professional licensing. The sponsor and supporters said the bill removes a barrier for homeschool and private-school graduates without changing other licensing requirements. After brief questions and supportive testimony from Homeschool Idaho, the committee voted to send the bill to the House floor with a due pass recommendation.
The committee next considered House Bill 841 on prior authorization in health insurance. The sponsor said the bill would add transparency, predictable timelines, qualified clinical review, stability once authorization is granted, and reporting requirements, while preserving fraud protections and not dictating prices or coverage design. Testimony from the Idaho Medical Association, a migraine patient, and the Idaho State Dental Association supported the bill as a way to reduce delays and administrative burden. Representative Harris raised concerns about complaints and fiscal impact, but after debate the motion to send the bill to the floor failed on a 9-5 roll call, with four absent.
Senate Bill 1262 followed, a narrow insurance code change that removes a confusing “lesser of” investment limit and leaves a 10% asset cap for certain insurer investments. The sponsor and a domestic insurer said the change would simplify the code and improve portfolio flexibility, and the committee approved it for the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then took up House Bill 898, which moves the State Historic Preservation Office from the Idaho State Historical Society to the new Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination. Supporters argued the move would streamline permitting and keep federal historic-preservation duties intact, while opponents warned of conflicts of interest, loss of independence, and possible funding and efficiency problems. After extensive testimony from preservation professionals, water users, and others, the sponsor closed by saying the budget and staff would follow the office and that the change would improve permitting efficiency; the transcript cuts off before the final disposition of the bill.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- They are terrified to go to school.
- school security in New Mexico.
- I was not out of school. It was another kid, as the senator mentioned.
- To public school officials.
- to public school officials.
Committee:
House House Judiciary
Keywords:
SB38, pet food, registered pet food, registration fee, fees, sunset repeal, repeal of repeal, revenue, state fee, business regulation, animal feed, pet food registration, New Mexico, gun control, firearm safety, dealer regulation, illegal trade, background checks, sexual crimes, statute of limitations
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 38, which would make permanent the New Mexico affordable spay-neuter program funded by fees on registered pet food. The sponsor and supporters said the program helps reduce companion animal overpopulation, shelter intake, and euthanasia, while opponents argued the charge is an unlawful tax, is tied to ongoing litigation, and that required annual reporting has not been done. After public testimony, the committee adopted a due pass motion on SB 38 by a 10-1 vote.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 17, a gun-safety measure that would impose new requirements on firearms dealers and prohibit future sale of certain assault-style and high-capacity weapons. Supporters, including sponsors, gun-violence survivors, public safety advocates, and some local officials, argued the bill would address straw purchasing, trafficking, dealer accountability, and mass-casualty weapons. Opponents, including firearms retailers, ranchers, law enforcement, and gun owners, said the bill would burden lawful businesses, raise constitutional concerns, and do little to stop crime. After extensive testimony and questions about the bill’s legal basis, definitions, and dealer regulations, the committee did not vote and instead rolled the bill for further work on amendments.
Later, the committee heard Senate Bill 41, as amended, which would eliminate the statute of limitations for second-degree criminal sexual contact of a minor. Support came from the Chamber of Commerce and sexual assault advocacy groups, who said delayed disclosure is common and justice should not expire before survivors are ready to come forward. Committee members asked detailed questions about the bill’s scope, including why certain offenses remained covered and how the criminal statutes are categorized. The committee adopted an amendment to correct drafting issues and then passed SB 41 as amended on a 10-0 vote.
Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 264, an elections safety bill that would strengthen penalties for election interference, create emergency polling-place protocols, and clarify when law enforcement may be present at polling places at the request of election officials. Supporters said it was needed to protect voters from intimidation, while an opponent argued it could put law enforcement at risk and restrict their ability to vote. The sponsor and Secretary of State explained that the bill was aimed at preventing ordered deployment of armed personnel to polling places, not barring officers or service members from voting. The discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- and limited independent school district property tax levy growth to 2.5%.
- And for school taxes, now, there was a major change.
- And for school taxes, now, there was a major change.
- Because like the schools, we have looked at what we want to invest...
- Of course, school districts have an approximately 2.5% limitation.
Bills:
SB9
Committee:
Senate Local Government
Keywords:
property tax, ad valorem tax, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax rate calculation, Tax Code, local government finance, municipality, county, special taxing unit, sales and use tax, property tax cap, tax rollback, tax levy, maintenance and operations, debt rate, disaster relief rate, Texas Legislature, local taxing unit
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Local Government met to hear Senate Bill 9, which would lower the voter-approval tax rate for certain local taxing units from 3.5% to 2.5%. Sen. Bettencourt, the bill author, argued the change would continue the state’s property tax reforms begun in 2019, slow local levy growth, and give voters more say over larger tax increases. He and supporters cited data showing property tax levies have grown faster than population plus inflation, and said the bill would help protect taxpayers while preserving the state’s broader investments in school tax relief, water, rural law enforcement, and ambulance funding.
Supporters included the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association, the Texas Association of Business, the Texas Public Policy Foundation, and the Texas Association of Manufacturers. They said the bill would improve transparency, encourage more disciplined budgeting, and create certainty for homeowners and businesses. They argued that lower tax-rate growth would help attract and retain employers and investment, and that voters would still be able to approve higher rates when needed.
Local officials and other opponents said the bill would constrain cities and counties facing rapid growth, inflation, infrastructure needs, and public safety costs. Testimony from county judges, city finance officials, firefighters, and urban county representatives emphasized pressures from jail operations, roads, water, EMS, police and fire staffing, and unfunded mandates. Several witnesses asked for carve-outs or exemptions for public safety and disaster-related costs, warning that a one-size-fits-all cap could force service cuts or shift costs elsewhere. The committee heard extensive questioning but no final vote or disposition on the bill was taken in the portion provided.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- In the '86 legislative session, they exempted school districts.
- If you remember, that was a school, that was a school session, right?
- That was a school session. So they focused heavily on school districts.
- Well, that $500 million is in limbo right now in that particular school district, which is a 3-A school
- district, could ruin that school district.
Committee:
House Ways & Means
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Tax Reform and Relief Advisory Property Tax Div. Jun 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Cities, schools, schools— Their budgets are due to the county 10 days following their meeting.
- Like I have to do that with the two neighboring counties for their school, just one school district,
- So the major categories: the city, the county, park, school, and the state.
- And then here's the school, all the schools with their levying.
- of the school mill levies and how much they are to the penny for that taxpayer.
Summary:
The subcommittee of the Tax Reform and Relief Advisory Committee met to begin its study of whether the content of the real estate tax statement should be revised to improve transparency. Legislative Council staff reviewed the study directive from HB 1176 and the statutory requirements for tax statements, including required line items such as true and full value, mill levy, legislative tax relief, primary residence credit, legacy fund share, discounts for early payment, and special assessments. The Tax Department then explained how the current uniform statewide statement is prescribed and approved, and noted that changes are typically driven by statute and implemented collaboratively with counties and vendors.
County officials from NDACO, including auditors from McKenzie and Richland counties, described the full annual property tax timeline from budgeting through mailing final statements. They explained how counties gather budgets, calculate levies, verify taxable values, handle centrally assessed property, and prepare required notices and statements. They also said public attendance at budget hearings is generally very low, though the notices and statements generate some calls, mostly about whether attendance is required or why taxes are changing. Several members questioned the usefulness of the legislative tax relief line and the complexity of the 5% discount calculation, and county officials said the current process can be confusing and depends on manual data entry and coordination among counties, vendors, and taxing districts.
The committee also discussed assessment frequency, valuation equalization, the 3% cap, and whether more frequent reassessment would reduce large jumps in taxable value. County officials said they try to use rotating reassessments and sales-ratio reviews to keep values within statutory tolerance, but staffing, training, and local market changes make the work difficult. NDACO staff estimated, based on a small county survey, that tax statement preparation and mailing costs average about 74 cents per statement, with outsourcing generally cheaper than in-house printing, and said HB 1176 added some mailing and administrative costs even if the tax statement itself did not change dramatically. Software vendors from CPT and Tyler then began presentations showing how their systems handle budgeting, valuation notices, tax statement generation, primary residence credit processing, and levy worksheets, emphasizing that many of the required calculations and reports are still manually entered or verified by county staff.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Audit Committee Jun 29th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- California enrolls a much larger share of recent high school graduates in community colleges than other
- You can walk straight in and be accepted, whether you have your high school degree, are seeking a GED
- They are not your 18-year-old coming out of high school.
- But as has been mentioned earlier in this hearing, not all schools recognize TAG.
- I think we... ...would need when transferring to a UC or CSU school.
Summary:
The Joint Legislative Audit Committee held an oversight hearing on a state audit of California’s community college transfer process, with members and witnesses broadly agreeing that transfer pathways remain too complex and inconsistent. Opening remarks emphasized that community colleges serve a large, diverse, often first-generation and low-income student population, but only about one in five transfer-intending students move to a UC, CSU, or other university within four years. Members highlighted disparities by race, region, campus, and major, and pointed to the Associate Degree for Transfer, TAG, and Cal-GETC as helpful but incomplete tools because requirements still vary across campuses and systems.
State Auditor’s Office staff said the audit found that while UC and CSU overall enroll substantial numbers of transfer students, individual campuses and high-demand programs often do not, especially in STEM fields. They described barriers including missing prerequisite courses, unclear information, limited counseling, and inconsistent articulation between campuses. The audit used a computer science example to show how different UC and CSU campuses require different courses for the same major. The audit issued 22 recommendations, with 10 fully implemented and four partially implemented; remaining work centers on articulation, counseling, data sharing, and better use of ASSIST.
UC, CSU, and the Community Colleges each said they support transfer and are taking steps to improve it. UC cited a new public dashboard, data-sharing agreements, new transfer pathways, and an ADT pilot at UCLA, while saying campus capacity and program differences limit systemwide mandates. CSU pointed to its strategic plan goals, the Transfer Success Pathway program, direct admissions outreach, and efforts to expand ADT alignment and credit applicability, while acknowledging that many students never reach the application stage. Community Colleges emphasized that transfer reform is central to equity and baccalaureate access, and called for stronger common course numbering, broader ADT acceptance, and more student-centered articulation. Members pressed the systems on why more uniform requirements and better coordination have not been achieved, and on how to reduce barriers for placebound and working students.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Legislative Session - Session 2 - 42nd Legislative Day- REASSEMBLE Part 1 Jun 30th, 2026
Delaware House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- High School for a time.
- It has the support of the School Board Association and the superintendents, DSEA, and the Charter School
- high school from each of the three counties, plus one elementary, one middle, and one high school from
- This includes traditional public schools, vocational technical schools, and charter schools.
- Under current law, several school-based professionals, including psychologists, school counselors, nurses
Summary:
The House convened on June 30, 2026, with opening ceremonies, guest introductions, and moments of silence for Gerlindy Lancelotti and Iva Durham. Members then took up a long agenda of bills and resolutions, including consent calendar items and several measures related to agriculture, lottery reporting, health care, fire service membership standards, inmate work, telecommunications, rent increases, youth camp licensing, primary elections, respiratory care practice, and marriage equality. The chamber also heard extended debate on Senate Bill 233, concerning removal of snow and ice from vehicles, and on House Bill 188, which would allow unaffiliated voters to choose a party primary while barring participation in both parties’ primaries.
Among the notable actions, House Concurrent Resolution 157 passed as amended, directing the State Lottery to report on options to support traditional lottery retailers. Senate Bill 53, preserving the Delaware Farm to Community Program if federal support declines, passed unanimously. Senate Bill 307, giving the Public Service Commission authority to designate eligible Lifeline carriers, and Senate Bill 339, clarifying advance health care directives, also passed. Senate Bill 235, removing a sunset on manufactured home rent increase calculations, passed, as did Senate Bill 325 after House Amendment 1 narrowed disqualifying offenses for fire service membership and adjusted related background-check rules. Senate Bill 309, discharging remaining incarceration-cost balances, and Senate Bill 324, addressing constable-related firearm permit provisions, both passed.
The chamber tabled Senate Bill 233 once to consider a proposed amendment for trucks and other hard-to-clear vehicles, but the amendment failed and the bill later passed as amended by the Senate. Senate Joint Resolution 19, directing DHSS to study strategies to reduce health care costs, was tabled pending legal review. Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 100, proposing a constitutional amendment to protect the right to marry, passed after extensive floor debate and personal statements from members on both sides. Senate Bill 293, creating a licensure pathway for summer camps to participate in purchase-of-care, passed after House Amendment 1. House Bill 188 on open primary access for unaffiliated voters passed 22-17, and Senate Bill 94, concerning respiratory care practitioners and ECMO medication delivery, passed after House Amendment 2. The transcript ends as the House begins consideration of House Substitute 1 for House Bill 404.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 7 on Accountability and Oversight Jun 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Indeed, as we have all witnessed... ...protect schools, public safety, and essential services.
- Finally... ...of funding for schools and community colleges.
- This proposal will protect funding for schools and essential public services.
- to save even more during those really robust years, but the size of the reserve for schools and the
- We want to be able to pay for schools.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal without Calendar) Jun 4th, 2026
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- As we all know, educators and school teams provide an invaluable service to the Commonwealth, equipping
- And we all know as well that school districts, school committees, and superintendents, as they make their
- The first of which is a total of $250,000 for an elementary school playground at the Tucker School in
- O'Donoghue School, middle school, in Bridgewater.
- Deadline for the town of Milton to appropriate money for the construction of a new school on certain
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted two resolutions: one recognizing the town of Sturbridge on the 250th anniversary of the United States and another congratulating Zachary Erich on earning Eagle Scout. The chamber then handled several procedural matters, including suspending Joint Rule 12 on multiple petitions and adopting extension orders giving the Committee on Financial Services additional time to report on credit union and mortgage financing bills, with members emphasizing the extensions were limited and needed to complete ongoing work.
The Senate then took up House No. 4361, a bill relative to benefits for teachers, which was amended by Ways and Means and passed to be engrossed after extensive support from members. Senators described the measure as a long-delayed fix to the Retirement Plus program, creating a one-time window through June 30, 2027 for eligible teachers to buy in, with required back payments of missed contributions. The bill passed by a roll call of 39-0. The chamber also passed S. 3106 on toxic-free medical devices and S. 3107 on advancing the profession of commercial interior design, both after supportive floor debate.
The Senate later adopted a conference committee report on the FY26 supplemental budget, H. 5470, after debate over its major spending items. Supporters highlighted municipal winter relief, MBTA operating and capital support, education funding, housing incentives, and collective bargaining agreements, while opponents criticized MBTA subsidies, legal defense funding, and tax-related provisions. The report was approved by roll call, and the bill was passed to be enacted. The Senate also enacted several local bills, including measures for Berkeley recall elections, a Milton school construction deadline extension, a Lexington parkland exchange, and long-term municipal roads and bridges financing.
Near the end of the session, the Senate concurred in a House amendment to S. 2563, a broad bill revising laws affecting individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities by replacing outdated and offensive terminology in 346 sections of the General Laws. Members described it as a dignity and language modernization measure. The Senate adopted the emergency preamble and passed the bill to be enacted. The session concluded with an adjournment order to meet again the following Monday, and the day’s adjournment was dedicated to the memory of Richard Louis Volpe of Sturbridge.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Health and Public Affairs Feb 17th, 2026 at 10:37 am
Senate Health & Public Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 256 would amend provisions of the Emergency Medication in Schools Act to require that schools
- schools that are also religiously affiliated.
- It would require private schools, religious schools to do this.
- What about home schools that participate in some athletic activities?
- What happens if some of these private schools do not comply? What is it here in the rules?
Committee:
Senate Senate Health & Public Affairs
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Finance Committee in Session Jan 15th, 2026 at 09:04 am
Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- item in the school aid formula, that pays for the unfunded liability.
- It fully funds all the public education school aid formula.
- The school aid formula, just that number right above it, is almost...
- Those are the major changes in the school aid formula.
- Even if it's a flat school-aid formula, you've got fewer students.
Committee:
Senate Finance
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Auditing Committee Dec 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- It's the old historic high school that's there.
- It's the old historic high school that's there.
- The city took over the old school square a couple of years.
- We don’t want to run Old School Square anymore.
- We don’t want to run Old School Square anymore.
Summary:
The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee met to consider several audit requests and enforcement items involving local governments and special districts. The committee approved operational audits of the City of Miami Beach, the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority, and the City of Daytona Beach. In each case, the requesting member described concerns about transparency, financial management, or internal controls, while local officials or representatives generally said they were willing to cooperate and, in Delray Beach’s case, noted that an internal audit had already been completed and that some issues were being corrected.
The committee also received a presentation on the statewide review of neighborhood improvement districts. The reviewers reported that 15 of 21 districts were active and six inactive, with common findings including outdated or missing performance plans, weak web presence, inadequate meeting notices, and limited management mechanisms. They said staffing levels often correlated with the ability to meet statutory requirements, and they recommended updates to district governance and transparency practices.
On enforcement, staff reviewed local governments and special districts that had failed to file required financial reports or had submitted audit reports missing required information. The committee approved staff recommendations to proceed under the statutory enforcement process for the noncompliant entities, with flexibility for the chair and vice chair to delay action if additional information is provided in good faith. The committee also voted to send a letter to the Union County Legislative Delegation encouraging a local bill to dissolve the Town of Rayford, based on staff’s view that the town lacked employees, services, debt, and a clear reason to continue existing as an incorporated municipality.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Mar 20th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Caitlin's fifth grade students from Kirkwood Christian School from the city of Downey.
- So my overachieving students at Poway High School, the robotics team.
- I extend my warm assembly welcome to the students of Vista Del Lago High School.
- before his time as principal at Baldwin Park High School.
- A native of Los Angeles, Roger graduated from Hamilton High School.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 14 Feb 24th, 2026
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It is my pleasure to have a group of middle school students from Weatherford Middle School.
- Madewell in Putnam City North High School with just Putnam City North High School students, but a vision
- And it's open to all three schools in the Putnam City School District.
- And whereas Sam's dedication has earned statewide recognition, with other schools seeking guidance to
- Recently, he launched an educational consulting business to help schools and districts understand the
Summary:
The House convened, completed the roll call, prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and recognitions, including guests from a South African refugee program, Weatherford Middle School students, international students, and the 2025 Aviation State Teacher of the Year, Sam Madewell. Representative Ranson also presented remarks for International Student Recognition Day, highlighting the economic and cultural contributions of international students in Oklahoma. The chamber then took up House Bill 4329 on dental insurance claims, with Pro Tem Moore arguing it would restore fairness by preventing insurers from controlling prices for services they do not cover; the bill drew questions about free-market effects, rural dentistry, and premiums, but Moore said it should not raise costs and noted similar laws in other states. HB 4329 passed 91-5.
The House also passed House Bill 2730, which ties the interest rate on taxpayer underpayments to market rates rather than a fixed statutory rate, after brief questions about how the rate would fluctuate; it passed 87-11. House Bill 3465, extending the sunset on the emission tax credit program from July 1, 2027 to July 1, 2029, passed 82-16. House Bill 4426, extending the sunset on the strategic industrial development enhancement sales tax credit from December 31, 2027 to December 31, 2032, passed 76-20.
During announcements, members noted upcoming committee meetings, a rural caucus with OSU President Hess, a devotional, and a lunch event tied to International Student Recognition Day. The House then recessed until the next day, Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Born in Tucson, Arizona, to Raul and Rafael Grijalva, he graduated from Sunnyside High School in 1967
- Grijalva Elementary School was named in his honor in 1987.
- HB 2916, traffic schools.
- HB 2916, traffic schools.
- My daughter, Linda, she's right here, graduated from high school in upstate New York.
Summary:
The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the Journal, and recognized Dr. Heidi Teval as Doctor of the Day. Members then offered several points of personal privilege, including tributes to former Representative Noel Campbell, introductions of guests, and observances tied to Muslim Day at the Capitol, Food Bank Day, and Holocaust Remembrance Day. The chamber also heard remarks from Holocaust survivors and community members, and the House later adopted a proclamation recognizing International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
The main legislative action was House Concurrent Resolution 2045, honoring the life and public service of former Congressman Raul Grijalva. The resolution detailed his career in education, county government, and Congress, and highlighted his work on public lands, tribal sovereignty, environmental protection, public education, and social justice. The House unanimously adopted the resolution and stood for a moment of respectful silence, then received the Grijalva family in the chamber.
Additional floor business included referral changes for HB 2351 and HB 2573, the first reading of several bills, and the second reading of a larger slate of measures covering water, land, energy, agriculture, public safety, immigration, and other topics. No substantive debate or votes on those bills occurred during this session. The House also announced upcoming committee meetings and adjourned until 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- She is a lifelong teacher in Tucson Unified School District, and she was my department chair when I first
- Born in Tucson, Arizona, to Raul and Rafael Grijalva, he graduated from Sunnyside High School in 1967
- Grijalva Elementary School was named in his honor in 1987.
- Representative Grijalva was a steadfast advocate for public schools, health equity, and social justice
- I used to speak in schools, and I told the kids, on the very day when I was liberated, I kicked hate
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Mar 25th, 2025
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- I know we have another bill coming up that we're going to talk about in school districts, but for me,
- managing entities and when we do mental health in our schools, one of the things I'd like to put into
- this is making sure we're also coordinating with our school districts so that we know that there is
- a synergy there between the dollars, huge dollars we put into our schools.
- a synergy there between the dollars, huge dollars we put into our schools.
Committee:
Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
Summary:
The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs met to consider several bills and the confirmation of Taylor Hatch as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families. SB 1310, relating to reporting of student mental health outcomes, was temporarily postponed. The committee then took up SB 1354 on behavioral health managing entities, adopted a delete-all amendment, and heard support for the bill’s focus on transparency, accountability, audits, referral patterns, and a DCF report due by December 1. Members discussed the capacity of the current reporting system and the need for coordination with school districts. The committee voted the bill favorably.
The committee next considered SB 1620 on mental health and substance abuse disorders, which implements selected recommendations from the 2025 Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders. The bill, as amended, includes reforms on dignity and patient-centered care, crisis response, individualized treatment plans, use of the DLA-20 assessment tool, data analysis by the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, and creation of a research center. Amendments removed a direct medication-provision requirement in favor of a review and report on discharge procedures, medication adherence, and long-acting injectables, and clarified licensure priorities for short-term residential treatment programs. Testimony and debate emphasized the need for action, better data, and efficient use of public funds. The committee reported the bill favorably.
Finally, the committee heard from Taylor Hatch, the Governor’s appointee to lead DCF. Hatch described her background in state government and her priorities for DCF, including coordination, transparency, prevention, permanency, and responsiveness to vulnerable Floridians. Several members spoke in support, citing her experience at APD and familiarity with the agency’s work. The committee voted unanimously to recommend her confirmation, and then adjourned.