Transcript Highlights:

• Under phase one of this effort, 47 sites were programmed for implementation, and 25 of those sites have
• Under phase one of this effort, 47 sites were programmed for implementation, and 25 of those sites have
• This site will offer commercial skills testing beginning very soon.
• So there's two buckets to the siting and two primary buckets, right?
• So a year ago, we had no siting and permitting at DOER.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a hearing at UMass Amherst on Governor Healey’s fiscal year 2027 budget, focusing on energy/environment-related transportation issues and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The chairs and members opened with thanks to UMass, university leadership, court officers, and legislative staff, and Chancellor Javier Reyes highlighted UMass Amherst’s research, workforce, sustainability, and transportation contributions, including energy research, transit operations, and partnerships with MassDOT. The hearing then moved to MassDOT and MBTA testimony on the administration’s transportation funding package, including House 2, the FY26 Fair Share supplemental, and a proposed four-year Chapter 90 authorization. MassDOT officials described the budget as part of a broader multi-year transportation investment strategy, citing funding for operations, snow and ice removal, regional transit authorities, the MBTA, the Merit Rating Board, sustainable aviation fuel credits, micro-transit and last-mile grants, unpaved road improvements, bridge and pavement work, and housing-related transportation infrastructure. They emphasized workforce expansion, capital delivery capacity, safety improvements, and local aid, including the new lane-mile-based Chapter 90 formula intended to benefit rural communities. Officials also discussed major projects and programs such as Grant Central, culvert and unpaved road grants, work zone speed cameras, congestion hotspot fixes, the Sagamore and Bourne Bridge projects, and MBTA operating support and safety upgrades. Testimony from the MBTA and rail/transit staff focused on improved ridership, service frequency, accessibility, and safety, including progress on the Green Line Train Protection System, reduced delays, expanded bus and commuter rail service, and the South Coast rail extension. Regional transit authorities reported increased ridership and described new fare-free, connectivity, and community transit grants. Aeronautics testimony covered airport capital work, drone and data programs, sustainable aviation fuel efforts, and workforce development in aviation maintenance. Committee members then asked questions, especially about Western Massachusetts priorities, Chapter 90 funding, bridge repairs, snow and ice costs, Cape Cod bridges, Buzzard’s Bay rail, and Compass Rail/West-East Rail. Officials said several federal rail grants were moving forward, that Sagamore Bridge procurement would begin soon, and that the administration remained committed to pursuing federal funding and multi-year transportation investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• select the program evaluation<00:14:28.199> topics<00:14:29.120> so<00:14:29.320> the
• topics that we can talk about selecting topics that we can talk about if<00:14:36.959> you<00
• those topics on commission that selects those topics on which<00:14:44.800> we<00:14:45.000><
• doing background checks and selectively doing background checks and selectively apparently<01:15
• we do have the jurisdiction to look site we do have the jurisdiction to look at<01:29:43.840> it<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate File 563, a bill to change the board makeup of the Northern Koochiching Area Sanitary District. Senator Hild said the proposal had been heard the previous year and had broad support from local officials and stakeholders. Cali Briggs, the district’s executive director, explained that the board structure no longer reflected current populations and sewer service patterns: International Falls now holds six of eight seats after earlier consolidations, while East Koochiching has grown through sewer expansions and should receive additional representation. The bill would reduce the board to seven members, with International Falls having three seats, East Koochiching two, Rainier one, and one at-large member chosen by the board. The committee raised no substantive objections, and Senator Gustafson moved the bill to pass and go to general orders; the motion prevailed. Members then briefly joked about the topic and moved on to an overview from the Office of the Legislative Auditor. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall described the office as a nonpartisan legislative branch agency serving both chambers, with a mission of strengthening oversight, promoting accountability, and producing objective, useful reports. She outlined the office’s structure, including financial audits, program evaluations, and a growing special reviews unit, and explained the Legislative Audit Commission’s role in appointing the auditor and selecting program evaluation topics. Randall also emphasized the office’s broad access to records and data, its independence, and its responsibility to protect nonpublic information. Randall answered questions about the office’s authority over entities such as the University of Minnesota, explaining that OLA has audit authority there but often relies on the university’s internal audit function and can also conduct special reviews and program evaluations. She noted that public employees are required to cooperate and that subpoenas are available if needed, though the office prefers to maintain cooperative relationships. Special Reviews Director Katherine Tyson then described how her unit handles complaints and allegations involving misuse of public funds, data, or noncompliance with law, including preliminary assessments, communications with complainants and agencies, and deeper reviews when warranted. She said allegations and reports have increased steadily, with 481 received from 2020 through 2024 and nearly 10 per week on average last year, contributing to a heavier workload for her small team.

Transcript Highlights:

• And for Ecobat, you mentioned that lead is going off-site.
• to hold specific hearings on specific permitted sites or cleanup sites.
• that have specific community concerns on particular cleanup sites as well.
• They're the ones who get selected.
• We're limited on how long those materials can be managed on site.

Summary: The joint oversight hearing focused on DTSC’s implementation of SB 158 reforms, including enforcement, community engagement, fee stability, the hazardous waste management plan, permitting backlogs, and the Safer Consumer Products program. Senators and Assembly members emphasized protecting overburdened communities and asked how DTSC and the Board of Environmental Safety are using their authority to improve accountability, reduce delays, and address hazardous waste facilities and consumer product chemicals. The hearing also included discussion of extended producer responsibility programs and whether DTSC can support them more efficiently, including through coordination with CalRecycle. DTSC Director Katie Butler said the department is now more transparent, accountable, and fiscally stable, citing stronger enforcement actions, an interactive inspections map, expanded community outreach, and emergency response work on the Los Angeles wildfire cleanup. She said DTSC has made progress on fee reform, the hazardous waste management plan, cleanup grants, permit renewals, and safer consumer products rulemaking, including adding microplastics to the candidate chemical list. Board Chair Andrew Rakestraw said the board has held multiple public meetings and hearings, is working on fee rates and performance metrics, and is revising the hazardous waste management plan after public comment, including removing a proposal to send certain contaminated soil to municipal landfills. He also noted remaining concerns about fee structure, permit delays, and the pace of the safer consumer products program. Public witnesses offered sharply different views. A representative of the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance said SB 158 reforms have improved permitting and transparency, but urged more attention to risk-based decision-making, reduced duplication, and possible General Fund support for plan implementation rather than relying only on fees. Earthjustice argued DTSC remains too slow and that communities continue to suffer from long-delayed permits and weak protections, urging the Legislature to take a more active role and to prioritize eliminating hazardous substances rather than minimizing costs. Committee members pressed the witnesses on permit renewals, community impacts, and the pace of the safer consumer products program, while DTSC defended its progress and said further legislative collaboration may be needed on hazardous waste management and emerging waste streams.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:35:43.839> The selected were in greater Minnesota.
• The selected were in greater Minnesota.
• infrastructure bonds um it you selected infrastructure bonds um it you selected a<00:46:53.119><
• I think if we show you our our 25<00:52:19.599> selections 25 selections 25 selections summary
• So if you go package to the public site.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:34:15.359> individuals the HIS Council has selected individuals the HIS Council has selected
• <01:08:57.920> And<01:08:58.159> one sites and people to contact.
• And one sites and people to contact.
• <01:25:29.360> And<01:25:29.600> this site in the agriculture park.
• And this site in the agriculture park.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In this case, we selected Microsoft Copilot, and we deployed that within our environment for agencies
• The next few sites are going to be all civil sites because, you know, the sites that where you can co-locate
• going to be building sites in a lot of different areas.
• Now, DOIT takes care of, I think, six major sites or six major websites out there.
• We won't get that done in a year, but we will have our six sites taken care of.

Transcript Highlights:

• Looking ahead to fiscal year 2026, we are establishing new tribally-serving practicum sites and developing
• Madam Chair, Senator, I'd just like to share that in San Miguel County, we have over 500 sites across
• Rotation sites, so Kristen will be speaking to that.
• Originally, I believe we had four sites. Now we have 24 sites.
• And we know that UNM, at one time, had selection committees that favored eastern white students over

Transcript Highlights:

• Residents can select their housing plan from a list of plans that have already been approved by local
• you could go in and have, you know, a few of those designs picked out for each of those different sites
• . ...have, you know, a few of those designs picked out for each of those different sites, and then figure
• Paradise and it was really helpful to people that were recovering to be able to say, okay, I can select
• Because, I mean, all of our districts have historic buildings and historic sites, but they don't all

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of housing-related bills, beginning with AB 249, which would require youth-specific coordinated entry assessments for homeless services. The author and supporters from Larkin Street Youth Services and the California Coalition for Youth argued that current vulnerability tools are adult-focused and can disadvantage young people; the bill was described as a developmentally appropriate fix to better connect youth to housing and prevention services. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 7-0 to Human Services. Members then heard AB 239 and AB 1206. AB 239 would create a state-led disaster housing task force, a state disaster housing coordinator, and regular legislative reporting to speed recovery after disasters; it passed 7-0 to Emergency Management. AB 1206 would let local agencies pre-approve plans for single-family and small multifamily homes of up to 10 units to reduce permitting delays and costs; the League of California Cities opposed it unless amended, citing local variation and staffing concerns, but the author and supporters said it would preserve local control and help speed housing production. The bill passed 9-0 to Local Government. The committee also took up AB 57, which would reserve at least 10% of California’s home purchase assistance funds for descendants of formerly enslaved people. Supporters framed it as reparative justice and a way to address longstanding racial disparities in homeownership, while Pacific Legal Foundation argued it likely violated constitutional limits on race-based government action and urged a race-neutral approach. After discussion about reparations criteria and the bill’s intent, it passed 6-0 to Judiciary. The consent calendar, including AB 480, AB 726, and AB 1154, was approved 8-0. Later, AB 282 was heard to allow housing providers to prefer applicants who participate in rental assistance programs, such as Housing Choice Vouchers, despite existing source-of-income discrimination law. Supporters said it would help voucher holders find units and improve affordable housing operations; no opposition testified, and the bill passed 6-1 to Judiciary. AB 1229 followed, restructuring the adult reentry grant program to focus on permanent housing for people leaving prison by moving administration to HCD and using regional administrators; supporters emphasized the link between housing stability and reduced recidivism, and the bill passed 7-0 to Public Safety. The committee then approved AB 670, which would let local governments count preservation of naturally occurring affordable housing toward housing element goals and require better demolition reporting, and AB 750, which would strengthen oversight and reporting for homeless shelters after a prior reporting law saw very low compliance. AB 670 passed 8-0 to Local Government, and AB 750 was presented with testimony from a shelter resident describing abuse and lack of accountability in shelters.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:22.240> for<00:05:22.479> those<00:05:22.639> items<00:05:23.039> selected
• <00:05:23.440> for The agenda includes all items except those selected for further review.
• they'll have a release day and they'll bring in subs to work with students while they work there on site
• Other times they may be working on site.
• And how are they selected? How were they selected? They were selected through an RFP process. Yes.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met after several reschedulings due to flooding, welcomed a new assistant, and confirmed a quorum. It first approved the March 11 minutes, then reported that the day’s agenda included 310 items totaling about $139.4 million, with all vendors registered with the Secretary of State. The committee then approved deferred items involving the Transportation Cabinet/Department of Highways, including one routine PSC green-list item and one PSC amendment item, after hearing from the Transportation Cabinet’s Division of Professional Services and noting prior questions had been answered. The bulk of the meeting focused on Department of Education contracts tied to reading and literacy initiatives. Officials described a competitive grant program for high-quality instructional resources and related professional learning, explaining that resources are selected through evidence-based reviews and a quality curriculum task force, and that districts apply using an instructional resources alignment rubric. Members questioned the program’s reach, whether districts opt in, how many schools applied, and whether the effort is producing measurable reading gains. Department witnesses said about 155 schools applied and were awarded, the program is voluntary, and the University of Louisville’s Reading Research Center is collecting qualitative and quantitative data to evaluate effectiveness. Several members expressed concern that the state has repeatedly funded literacy efforts without improving reading scores, though the committee ultimately approved the education items, with Senator Meredith noting support but frustration about the lack of progress. The committee also approved an MOA amendment item supporting the Principal Partnership Project, which provides tools, resources, and professional learning for administrators and helps meet statutory evaluation-training requirements. Members asked about the use of nonrecurring federal funds and whether the arrangement affects retirement benefits; staff said the contract pays districts based on daily wage and additional workdays, which does increase retirement packages. Representative McCool voted yes but voiced caution about possible supplanting. Finally, the committee took up an Office of the Controller contract for a brokered insurance-related procurement. Representative Balman moved to disapprove the contract, arguing the winning broker was not the low bidder and that the committee lacked answers about how technical scoring outweighed a roughly $600,000 price difference. The motion to disapprove did not prevail, and the contract was approved after further discussion about procurement scoring and the committee’s limited information.

Transcript Highlights:

• While I would love to start meetings on time, I'm going to give it about five minutes for my select committee
• Thank you for joining us today for the hearing of the Select Committee on Youth Mental Health and Treatment
• We encourage the select committee to engage on BHSA implementation both at the local and state level.
• We encourage the select committee to engage on BHSA implementation both at the local and state level.
• We encourage the select committee to engage on BHSA implementation both at the local and state level.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused on youth mental health and treatment access, with the chair framing the issue around California’s Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), school-based supports, and the need to coordinate education, health, and community systems. The first panel featured PPIC researcher Shalini Mostala, who said teen mental health remains a serious concern but recent California Healthy Kids Survey data show improvement in chronic sadness and suicidal thoughts since the pandemic peak. Youth advocate Ella Cruz described her own struggles, emphasized stigma reduction, peer support, and the importance of youth voices in shaping policy and outreach. Members asked about phone use, cultural stigma, and how to encourage young people to seek help and connect with trusted adults and peers. The second panel, led by CYBHI director Dr. Sohill Sood and DHCS Deputy Director Autumn Boylan, provided implementation updates. Dr. Sood said recent data show more students receiving counseling, lower stigma, and a drop in reported suicidal ideation, while also highlighting growth in certified wellness coaches and the CYBHI fee schedule. He said the program has generated more than 230,000 claims and over $11 million in new revenue for participating entities, though implementation is still early and technical assistance remains important. Fresno County’s Trina Frazier described a multi-tiered system of care with wellness centers, mobile therapy units, and strong outcomes in attendance, suspensions, and academic performance, while Rachel Kroberniski of the James Morehouse Project described a long-running school wellness center and a peer-to-peer model that helps students feel connected and supported. Members pressed witnesses on rural staffing, billing coordination, higher education participation, and how to sustain services after one-time grants expire. In the final panel, WestEd’s Lisa Eisenberg discussed what makes the fee schedule work best, saying schools are most successful when they build on existing staff, relationships with health plans, and data-sharing agreements rather than creating entirely new systems. Across the hearing, witnesses and members repeatedly returned to themes of flexibility, sustainability, youth-led and peer-based supports, and the need to reduce stigma while improving coordination across schools, counties, providers, and colleges. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, and welcome to the joint hearing of the Assembly Select Committee on CalFresh Enrollment
• I will now turn it over to my colleague and co-chair of the Select Committee, Chair Schott Collins, for
• I really want to thank my co-chairs on the Select Committee on CalFresh Enrollment and Nutrition for
• I think this select committee can really take a leading role with the leadership of my colleagues here
• Thank you, Chairpersons and members of the Select Committee.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on CalFresh enrollment, food insecurity in California, the recent federal shutdown’s disruption of SNAP benefits, and the long-term effects of H.R. 1 on eligibility, benefits, and state and county costs. Opening remarks emphasized that millions of Californians rely on CalFresh, that the shutdown briefly delayed benefits for the first time in the program’s history, and that state and local governments, including Alameda County, stepped in with emergency food aid and funding. Members also framed the issue as both a hunger and affordability problem, with several noting that California’s agricultural abundance contrasts sharply with persistent food insecurity. The first panel presented research and advocacy perspectives on food hardship. PPIC’s Tess Thorman described food insecurity rates, disparities affecting households with children and Black and Latino households, and the role of nutrition programs in reducing poverty. Nourish California’s Betzabel Estudio argued that hunger is a policy choice and highlighted campaigns to expand state-funded food assistance for immigrants, support reentry populations, and continue the CalFresh fruit-and-vegetable incentive program. The California Association of Food Banks’ Josh Wright said food banks are seeing sustained high demand, lower federal food supplies, and cannot replace CalFresh, while urging more state support for food purchasing, school meals, and SunBucks. The second panel reviewed CalFresh operations and participation. The California Department of Social Services reported that CalFresh participation has risen over the past decade, with the state closing much of the participation gap through outreach, simplified applications, and demonstration projects such as the Elderly Simplified Application Project and a minimum nutrition benefit pilot. Alameda County Social Services described local caseloads, application trends, and emergency food distributions during the shutdown, while also warning that H.R. 1’s work requirements, immigrant eligibility restrictions, and possible cost-sharing could reduce enrollment. A student CalFresh ambassador testified about the burdensome application and recertification process and urged more funding for campus basic-needs centers and outreach to reduce stigma and administrative friction. In the final panel, county, food bank, and policy witnesses described the shutdown response and the expected impact of H.R. 1. Alameda County Community Food Bank and the County Welfare Directors Association said counties, food banks, and community partners mobilized emergency funds, pop-up pantries, and food purchasing to bridge the shutdown gap, but warned that hundreds of thousands of Californians could lose benefits under the new federal rules. The California Budget and Policy Center began outlining the scale of federal cuts, noting that H.R. 1 will significantly reduce SNAP funding and shift costs to states. No votes or formal committee actions were taken; the hearing was informational and concluded with discussion of possible state responses, including backfilling benefits, preserving outreach funding, and improving administrative systems to protect enrollment.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.
• House China Select Committee for a joint hearing focused on the threats that Americans face when they're
• We joined the select committee and asking Congress to end this legal fiction and delist every VIE from
• The select committee also found that numerous Chinese companies on our exchanges and index funds are
• And so the sites in West Virginia... West Virginia has become prime real estate now for AI.

Keywords: Chinese Communist Party, retirement security, investment risks, SEC enforcement, Bipartisan action

Summary: The meeting primarily addressed concerns regarding the impact of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on American investments and the financial security of retirees. The chair discussed legislation aimed at ensuring the protection of American investors against the risks posed by Chinese companies. There was a consensus among the members regarding the necessity to enforce existing policies that require compliance from foreign companies wishing to trade on American exchanges. The discussion included testimony from various stakeholders highlighting the urgent need to limit exposure to the CCP in retirement portfolios. Additionally, there were calls for increased accountability of regulatory bodies such as the SEC to better shield American investors from potential loss.

Transcript Highlights:

• No, it doesn't go to the historical sites.
• And then looking at how we acquire, or we're asked to pick up, historic sites or heritage sites... ..
• .or were asked to pick up historic sites or heritage sites.
• Those surrender sites have never been found.
• Selected fiscal and policy issues.

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard budget presentations for the Texas Historical Commission, the Pension Review Board, the Employees Retirement System (ERS), Social Security and benefit replacement pay, the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System (TESSRS), and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). The Legislative Budget Board outlined recommendations and major changes for each agency, including reductions tied to one-time projects at the Historical Commission, continued funding for courthouse grants, heritage trails, and Holocaust/genocide education, as well as new or modified riders and capital items. For the pension-related items, LBB described funding changes for PRB, ERS, Social Security, and TESSRS, including ERS health plan cost growth driven largely by pharmacy costs, the status of pension funding reforms, and TESSRS’s request for additional state support to address its unfunded liability and staffing needs. Members asked extensive questions about the Historical Commission’s one-time funding, unexpended balance authority, courthouse preservation, the Presidio La Bahia and National Museum of the Pacific War projects, and coordination of Texas history messaging across sites such as the Alamo, San Jacinto, Washington on the Brazos, and other heritage locations. The Historical Commission chair emphasized heritage tourism, economic development, and the need for continued investment in historic sites, staffing, IT modernization, and vehicles. On the pension items, senators discussed PRB oversight of local systems, including the Dallas police and fire pension situation, and ERS investment returns, benchmark comparisons, and rising health costs. ERS officials said the plan remains well funded overall, noted a 2021 cash balance reform and a planned supplemental legacy payment, and explained that GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro are a major driver of pharmacy spending; they also said the agency is working with the Texas Pharmacy Initiative and that rebates are contractually returned to ERS. For TESSRS, LBB and agency staff said the system serves volunteer and part-paid emergency personnel, is facing an infinite amortization period, and is requesting additional appropriations, staffing, and IT funding, along with a statutory change to allow an actuarially determined state contribution. The agency said it may otherwise need to cut benefits for volunteer firefighters. For CPRIT, LBB reported about $600 million in recommended funding for the biennium and a 10-FTE increase, while the agency described its $6 billion voter-approved program, $3.75 billion in grants awarded to date, and $10.4 million in revenue sharing since 2011. CPRIT’s only exceptional item was a request for a 10% salary increase for two exempt positions. No committee votes or formal actions were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you recall from my previous testimony, both the nuclear plant and the waste were sited next to the
• a small modular reactor when given the option to select one as a future energy source.
• a small modular reactor when given the option to select one as a future energy source.
• a small modular reactor when given the option to select one as a future energy source.
• have the choice to to to um uh to select have the choice to to to um uh to select green<01:20:57.560

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Users can automatically select.
• But it is simply a host site for quick access to any county's link back to their page.
• And I'm sure every county feels the same way about their selected software.
• And I'm sure every county feels the same way about their selected software vendor.
• But Burleigh County, on the site that was referred to earlier, they use Tyler Technology, and it's, I

Summary: The subcommittee of the Tax Reform and Relief Committee met to begin its study of the feasibility and desirability of revising the content of the real estate tax statement to improve property tax transparency. Legislative Council staff reviewed the study directive under House Bill 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, and the Legacy Fund portion of that credit. The Tax Department then explained how the current uniform statement is prescribed and approved, and noted that changes are typically driven by statute and implemented collaboratively with counties and vendors. County officials from the North Dakota Association of Counties described the full annual tax cycle, from county budgeting and valuation notices to budget hearing notices, levy certification, cap calculations, and final tax statement mailing. They emphasized that counties and auditors do extensive coordination with taxing districts and neighboring counties, and that the process is labor-intensive and often manual. Members discussed the limited public response to budget notices and tax statements, the difficulty of explaining the legislative tax relief line, the 3% cap and valuation issues, and whether more frequent assessments or different timing would improve understanding. Several members and witnesses noted that many taxpayers only engage when they receive their final bill, and that clarity may be more important than adding more detail. NDACO also presented a rough cost survey from eight counties, estimating an average tax statement cost of about 74 cents and a statewide total near $600,000 for printing and mailing tax statements alone, with outsourcing generally cheaper than in-house printing. Witnesses noted that House Bill 1176 added other mailings and notices, increasing county workload and cost beyond the statement itself. The committee then heard from software vendors, who explained how their systems handle tax billing, budget notices, valuation notices, primary residence credit processing, and tax levy calculations, and they identified the 1600/1685 primary residence credit and discount interaction as a current programming challenge. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational and focused on gathering testimony and identifying issues for possible future recommendations or bill drafts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, those programs are in 46 sites across Florida. We also implement Project SEARCH.
• typically granted for one year, and prior to granting them, institutions have to go through an on-site
• The award amount for the Florida Academic Scholarship is 100% of the tuition and select fees at a public
• post-secondary institution, or the average in-state public institution tuition and select fees provided
• On the other hand, the Florida Medallion Scholarship is 75% of the tuition and select fees at a public

Summary: The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee met for an introductory overview of the higher education programs under its jurisdiction. After roll call and member introductions, Chair Busatta outlined that the subcommittee oversees programs in the Department of Education and the State University System, including vocational rehabilitation, blind services, private postsecondary licensure, student financial aid, career and adult education, the Florida College System, and the Board of Governors. The chair and staff also noted that these areas represent roughly $9 billion in current-year funding. Officials from the Department of Education presented on several programs. Vocational Rehabilitation Director Kelly Rogers described services for adults and youth with disabilities, including pre-employment transition services, job coaching, assistive technology, and employer support; she said the program served more than 55,000 people last year, has no wait list, and reported a return of $7.61 to the economy for every $1 invested. Division of Blind Services Director Robert Doyle explained services from birth through older adulthood, including early intervention, school-age support, vocational rehabilitation, independent living, the Business Enterprise Program for blind vendors, and the Braille and Talking Book Library; he said the division serves about 12,000 people annually and also has no wait list, though some community rehab providers may have one. Tiffany Hurst of the Commission for Independent Education described licensure and consumer protection for independent postsecondary institutions, reporting oversight of about 1,100 institutions and 721 non-degree schools, along with enforcement actions against unlicensed operators. Sean Haskin of Student Financial Assistance reviewed 22 scholarship and grant programs totaling about $1 billion for more than 200,000 students, including Bright Futures, Benacquisto, need-based grants, EASE, EASE Plus, veterans’ scholarships, dual enrollment reimbursement, first responder scholarships, and the Ocoee and Rosewood scholarships. Members asked about surplus funds, marketing, Bright Futures eligibility requirements, and whether EASE awards had changed; Haskin said any unused funds are reverted to the Legislature, that the department markets through schools and the Florida Lottery, and that EASE remained at $3,500 per FTE for the last two fiscal years. Several members raised concerns that students and parents may not learn about aid programs early enough, especially in economically disadvantaged communities. Chancellor Kevin O’Farrell then presented on Career and Adult Education, highlighting record participation in career and technical education, adult education, and apprenticeship. He said about 800,000 secondary students and 480,000 postsecondary students are in CTE, adult education serves about 183,000 learners, and apprenticeship/pre-apprenticeship programs include more than 22,000 participants. He also described the workforce development fund, Perkins, WIOA Title II, the Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant, workforce capitalization grants, CAPE performance funding, and the Pipeline nursing initiative, noting strong NCLEX outcomes and expanded outreach through the Get There, Your Way, Future of Work Florida, and Zello platforms. Kathy Hebda began the Florida College System presentation by emphasizing open access, workforce preparation, statewide reach, and strong enrollment and completion growth, including more than 672,000 students, over 131,000 degrees and certificates, and significant dual enrollment savings for students and families.

Transcript Highlights:

• based on the lowest bid, which limits their ability to select contractors based on overall quality and
• For some crafts, the minimum skilled-and-trained percentage on a job site is 60%.
• For some crafts, the minimum skilled and trained percentage on a job site is 60% for some crafts.
• There are hundreds of satellite sites across the state at the UC, CSU, and Community College systems.
• There are hundreds of satellite sites across the state at the UC, CSU, and Community College systems.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That really packs a punch in amazing applications like backup at a cell site to provide backhaul for
• We have a test and launch site out in West Texas.
• We're the youngest company ever selected for NSSL, making our selection a massive vote of confidence
• We have a test site out in Moses Lake on 75 acres that we lease from the Port of Moses Lake.
• Finally, our launch site is located in Florida at Cape Canaveral.

Summary: The committee first heard a work session on cryptocurrency kiosks from the Department of Financial Institutions and Spokane City Councilmember Paul Dillon. DFI described crypto kiosks as licensed money transmission terminals that allow cash purchases of virtual currency, and said the main concern is fraud: scammers often pressure victims, especially older adults, to deposit cash into kiosks and send it to wallets controlled by organized crime. DFI cited a sharp increase in kiosk volume, nationwide fraud complaints and losses, and said Washington currently has licensing and disclosure rules but lacks transaction and fee limits. The department said it is seeking stronger disclosures, a $1,000 daily transaction limit, and a fee cap. Spokane described its unanimous ordinance banning new kiosks and removing existing ones after local scam reports, and members asked about how the machines work, whether the fraud is in the hardware or the transaction, and whether stronger warnings or screening could help. The committee then reviewed home equity sharing agreements, or CHISAs, based on a report by Mariana Amaram and testimony from DFI and industry representatives. The report found that CHISAs provide homeowners a lump sum in exchange for a share of future home value or appreciation, with no monthly payments, but that consumers often struggle to understand the products and settlement calculations. The report said the market has grown quickly in Washington, that costs can be hard to predict, and that early uncapped contracts could produce very high settlement amounts, especially during periods of rising home prices. DFI said it views these products as mortgage loans and is moving forward with rulemaking, including counseling and clearer disclosures, while industry witnesses said the products are equity-based rather than debt-based and asked for tailored regulation. Members discussed the need for better consumer education, clearer payoff schedules, and whether the products should be treated as mortgages or a separate category. The final panel focused on Washington’s space economy, with presentations from Amazon Leo, Blue Origin, Stoke Space, Space Northwest, and Green River College. Speakers highlighted major in-state investments in satellite manufacturing, launch systems, and workforce training, including Amazon Leo’s Redmond and Kirkland facilities, Blue Origin’s Kent headquarters, and Stoke Space’s Kent manufacturing and Moses Lake test site. Space Northwest presented data showing the sector’s growing economic footprint, high-wage jobs, and regional clusters in Kent and Redmond, and urged more workforce programs, incentives, infrastructure support, and a state space commission. The companies emphasized local hiring, apprenticeship and certification programs, and the role of Washington’s aerospace supply chain in supporting the broader space industry. No votes were taken during the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I see them driving around, and I ask myself, do we need F-250 4x4s to haul a ladder to a job site
• , and in the very beginning in the construction sites, it's not just pulling up when they're halfway
• There was some site thing that have been dropped from this letter in response.
• There was some site thing that have been dropped from this letter in response.
• 2024, with selected items before and subsequent thereto.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee first heard a long-running audit finding involving Daytona Beach’s unexpended building permit funds, which have exceeded the statutory limit for several years and were reported at $10.8 million in the most recent audit. Mayor Derek Henry and city staff said the city has analyzed the fund, adopted a corrective action plan, waived more than $5.5 million in permit and inspection fees over several periods, and used some excess funds for a training facility rehabilitation and a proposed City Hall expansion. Committee members repeatedly questioned whether the city was simply trying to spend down the money, raised concerns about the legality and necessity of proposed expenditures, and asked about interest earnings, truck purchases, and the lack of detailed tracking for training-facility use. The city said an Attorney General opinion allows construction of a new building for building-code functions but not purchase of an existing building, and that if the city cannot comply through permissible construction it would have to return the funds. No vote was taken, but members expressed strong frustration and urged the city to resolve the issue quickly and lawfully. The committee then received the Auditor General’s presentation on the Town of Greenville, which found 31 findings and described pervasive control failures, possible fraud, waste, and abuse. The findings covered elections and quorum issues, conflicts of interest, late or missing financial disclosure forms, related-party transactions, poor meeting notices and minutes, council involvement in day-to-day operations, missing ethics training, budget and accounting deficiencies, weak bank reconciliations, improper utility billing and rates, grant compliance problems tied to a grocery store project, personnel and compensation issues involving the town manager, late vendor payments, weak procurement and P-card controls, vehicle-use and property-control problems, public records issues, and IT/fraud-policy weaknesses. The auditor said the review focused mainly on October 2022 through February 2024 but went back further for some grant-related matters. Greenville’s mayor and staff said the audit reflected actions of a previous administration and that the current council and staff have already adopted seven new policies to improve procurement, financial controls, inventory management, grant oversight, and ethics. They said the town has a new manager and clerk, that the former manager was terminated, and that the town referred matters to FDLE, which is investigating. Committee members asked about the manager’s salary increase, severance, P-card use, and whether the town should consider consolidation or dissolution. The mayor said the town is on a better path, that most of the prior leadership has been voted out, and that the town is working with auditors and an outside accounting firm to correct the problems.

Transcript Highlights:

• Should you select to waive your speaking time, your position will be included in the committee meeting
• And this work really is, again, about providing site-based professional learning.
• Our state regional literacy directors, much like our Bureau of School Improvement, are actually on-site
• They are selecting high-quality materials that are rigorous for our classroom instruction.
• On-site supports—you'll hear from our superintendents about this.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met with a quorum and first heard a Department of Education program review on three district support programs: assistance to low-performing schools, the Florida Partnership program, and regional literacy teams (RAISE). Dr. Paul Burns described how the Bureau of School Improvement supports schools with D/F grades through regional teams, classroom observations, professional learning, and targeted funding, noting that 104 of 168 low-performing schools improved after 2022-23 and that the share of failing schools fell from 6% to 4%. He also outlined the Florida Partnership’s $4 million annual appropriation for advanced-course teacher training and student access, and the RAISE literacy program’s $5 million funding, universal/targeted/intensive supports, and progress monitoring results. Senators asked about rural participation, post-COVID reading data, parent support, and how long schools remain under monitoring after improving; Burns said rural districts can participate statewide, parents can access school and department support, and schools continue to receive monitoring after exiting low-performing status to prevent recidivism. The committee then received a presentation on the school district education foundation matching grants program from Suzanne Pridgen, who explained that the Consortium of the Florida Education Foundations administers the grants, which require private matching funds and support tutoring, literacy, STEM, career education, professional learning, books, and supplies. She said the program leverages about $1.44 in private support for every state dollar. The committee then moved to the regional education consortia, where representatives from PAEC, NEFEC, and Heartland, along with several rural superintendents, described the consortia as member-led organizations that provide economies of scale, professional learning, HR, risk management, purchasing, legal and operational support, crisis assistance, and leadership development for small and fiscally constrained districts. Superintendents from Lafayette, Holmes, Calhoun, Union, DeSoto, and Hendry counties testified that the consortia are essential because rural districts often have very small staffs, multiple-duty administrators, and limited in-house expertise. They cited support with insurance and hurricane recovery, training for new finance and HR staff, instructional coaching, CTE and leadership programs, and help with turnaround schools. Members emphasized that these districts can be high-performing despite limited resources, and several senators praised the consortia’s value. Senator Gaetz asked about additional back-office collaboration, possible regulatory relief, and FEFP issues tied to scholarship-related enrollment swings; rural superintendents responded that more local control would help. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was adopted without objection.