Transcript Highlights:

• So how many people are working for those different programs?
• And programming at ECECD and across the state.
• Specific to bureau or program.
• programs.
• is, you know, upon their interest in the program.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> stabilization program. stabilization program.
• </c> hospital stabilization program. hospital stabilization program.
• . program. program.
• </c> about that program integrity bill. about that program integrity bill.
• </c> programs in it. programs in it.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• EAP—Employee Assistance Program.
• Three are in the Bureau of Program Integrity and three are in the Bureau of Program Quality.
• Program.
• ><c> and</c> program development program quality and program development program quality and performance
• </c><02:02:44.800><c> development</c><02:02:45.360><c> program</c> kind of program development program

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: House Finance Division III convened a work session on the DHHS budget, with the chair noting there would be no votes and that the committee would spend the day hearing from the commissioner’s office. Nathan White, DHHS Chief Financial Officer, opened with the Division of Finance/Office of Business Operations, explaining that the unit supports the department through daily financial management, AP/AR, audit work, expense projections, transfers, and procurement functions such as contracts, amendments, RFPs/RFAs, and grants management. He also described the division’s revenue and reporting work, including federal draws, CMS-64 reporting, and the public assistance cost allocation plan, and said the department had centralized rate-setting work and a small team handling Medicaid rate analysis and nursing facility rebase work. Members asked about vacancies, turnover, and budget changes. White said the division had 18 positions unfunded in the governor’s budget, reducing personal services from about $10.8 million to $9.9 million, and estimated the division’s vacancy rate at about 11 percent, below the department average. He said turnover was relatively low, with one retirement at the manager level and higher turnover mainly at lower AP-level positions. He also explained that some budget lines reflected reallocations rather than new spending, including fringe benefits centralized elsewhere and an EBT card contract moved into this unit because the staff member overseeing it works in Finance. When asked about a rent/lease increase, he said it was due to higher copier leasing costs under a statewide DAS contract. White highlighted several management and technology improvements. He said a business intelligence tool procured in 2022, using Salesforce and Excel-based data, helped DHHS better track federal revenue and maintenance-of-effort spending, reducing FY24 General Fund lapse by about 70 percent and federal/other revenue lapse by 88 percent compared with FY23; he warned that the tool is not funded in the current budget. He also described Lean Six Sigma efforts in the contracts team, training for vendors and nonprofits on procurement and indirect cost rules, and a Finance Academy to standardize policies and procedures. On the contracts side, he said the department uses Smartsheet for project management and DocuSign for electronic signatures, which cut contract execution time dramatically, but noted DocuSign is also not funded in the governor’s budget. The session ended as the committee prepared to move on to the Employee Assistance Program presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are kind of three main programs.
• Program. Oh, okay.
• You know, data-driven programs that you operationalize—I’d love to take the OB program where you've taken
• the ABC program.
• Do we have the nurse partnership program?

Keywords: 962, all

Summary: The MAPOC Women and Children’s Health Subcommittee heard a presentation from Kate Parker Riley, executive director of the Connecticut Dental Health Partnership, on the Husky Dental Program and efforts to improve oral health during pregnancy. She reviewed the structure of Connecticut’s Medicaid dental benefit, the ASO model, provider network, utilization trends, and member barriers to care. She noted that children’s dental measures remain above the national median, but adult utilization is lower and the dental provider network has been shrinking, with longer wait times in rural areas. A major focus was the state’s goal to raise the rate of oral evaluation during pregnancy from about 17.5% to 25% by 2030. Riley described planned outreach to OB/GYN practices using a draft “snapshot” report showing each practice’s pregnancy oral-health rate compared with the state average, along with education materials based on ACOG and AAP guidance. Committee members and guests discussed barriers such as lack of provider training, workflow burden, access to dentists who will see pregnant patients, and the need for stronger referral bridges. Suggestions included adding simple oral-health screening questions in OB settings, using human support to make appointments, and exploring co-located dental hygienists or other embedded models. Riley also highlighted partnerships with DSS, DCF, Head Start, WIC, Read to Grow, YMCA programs, refugee resettlement agencies, and school-based and hospital partners, as well as data-sharing and navigation efforts. She said pregnant members newly identified through HUSKY will now receive outreach and navigation support. DSS dental director Carolyn MacArthur introduced herself and said she supports the initiative, noting the literature linking untreated maternal dental disease to poor child oral-health outcomes. No votes were taken; the meeting ended with thanks and a preview of upcoming July presentations on integrated behavioral health and home visitation programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• one program?
• So last year there were two programs; beginning July 1, there was only one program. The...
• so that it can be transferred into the program that currently exists, their park operations program.
• operations program.
• We have programs all the time.

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee first heard a budget presentation for the Department of Parks and Recreation. Legislative staff explained the agency’s structure, dedicated funds, and a proposed FY27 supplemental to transfer about $9.8 million in grant funds from a consolidated program into the current park operations program after a prior reorganization. The agency’s FY27 request also included dedicated-fund enhancements for additional park personnel, trail maintenance staff, and one-time improvements, with no general fund request. Director Susan Buxton described major capital projects completed with prior appropriations, including campground, marina, lodge, trail, and accessibility upgrades across the state, and said the investments had increased capacity and visitation. Committee members asked about access for Idaho residents, reservation pricing, and the effect of charging out-of-state users more. Buxton said the new reservation system is more mobile-friendly, out-of-state pricing has increased availability for residents, and a University of Idaho study is evaluating the impact. She also said the agency expects more campsites, boat slips, and day-use areas than originally projected. Members discussed the agency’s OHV education campaign, trail maintenance, and the new observatory at Bruneau Dunes State Park. No formal action or vote was taken during the Parks and Recreation presentation. The committee then reviewed the Office of the State Public Defender budget. Legislative staff summarized the agency’s staffing, fund balance, and FY27 requests, including six new trial attorney positions, secure hosted data storage, and laptop/data migration costs. Director Stephen Frederickson said the statewide system is now stable after a difficult transition from county-based defense, with vacancies down to about 7 percent and 55 new employees hired since July 1. He warned that further budget reductions would likely be absorbed through training cuts first, but could eventually force reductions in contract attorneys and increase caseloads, which he said would risk attorney turnover and constitutional problems. Members asked about county MOUs, Twin Falls staffing shortages, attorney levels, child protection cases, training, and the impact on county costs and property taxes. No vote was taken, and the committee adjourned after announcing the next day’s agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to highlight two of our programs.
• There are different insurance programs.
• There are zero insurance programs for Mexican wolf specifically.
• that will insure those programs.
• Last year there was some funds put into the program.

Bills: HB2155 , HB2156 , HB2162 , HB2762 , HB2791

Committee: House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs

Keywords: Arizona Beef Council, agriculture, market development, beef products, terminating council, livestock, compensation, funding, ranching, game and fish commission, wildlife, appointment, commission membership, Arizona Revised Statutes, food labeling, cultivated cells, cell-cultured products, consumer information, food safety, cell-cultured protein

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are Band-Aids that create more confusion and work for licensors and child care programs.
• </c><00:15:55.040><c> R</c> um the standards for um like program R um the standards for um like program
• There are measures of the interactions between adults and children in a program.
• , quality of programs, cost of programs, quality of child care?
• , quality of programs, cost of programs, quality of child care?

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 2617, and first adopted a DE1 amendment. The bill, as amended, was presented as a major child care licensing reform that would narrow licensing to core health and safety requirements, reduce what supporters described as punitive or overly technical citations, and shift quality standards toward accreditation and professional organizations. The author also described the bill as a response to long-standing problems in the current licensing structure and county oversight of family child care. Public testimony was uniformly supportive. Child care providers and directors from Duluth, Rochester, and Esko said the current system penalizes minor clerical or cosmetic issues, creates inconsistent interpretations, and contributes to provider burnout and the child care shortage. They argued the bill would separate health-and-safety licensing from quality measures, which they said are better addressed through accreditation, coaching, and national standards. One testifier also said the bill would help with background study delays by creating a liaison to improve visibility into the process. Members asked about the difference between licensing and accreditation, how other states handle similar models, and how the bill would interact with the department’s licensing modernization work. The bill’s supporters said licensing would remain focused on foundational health and safety items such as ratios, background checks, hygiene, and facilities, while quality standards would be left to national organizations like NAEYC or the National Family Child Care Association. They cited Connecticut, Indiana, and Florida as examples of states using national standards in some form. The committee closed public testimony, took member questions, and the author renewed his motion to lay over House File 2617 as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> talking about costing of that program talking about costing of that program today. today. today.
• Is there, you mentioned an... as the the program scales. as the the program scales.
• </c> are in the program. are in the program.
• </c> within those two programs, if you will. within those two programs, if you will.
• </c> the kids that they have in the program the kids that they have in the program but<02:02:12.080><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The commission to study the cost of special education met, confirmed a quorum, introduced members and guests, and approved the minutes from the October 29 meeting. Members noted the commission’s mandate under Senate Bill 57 and emphasized the need to focus on recommendations and findings by July 1, 2026. The chair also distributed additional handouts, including materials related to the Education Freedom Account (EFA) program and administrative rules tied to differentiated aid and disability determinations. The main discussion centered on how students qualify for differentiated aid under the EFA program. Matt Sutherton of the Children’s Scholarship Fund explained that the organization, which contracts with the state to administer EFAs, accepts either school-district/IEP documentation or a medical certification of disability (MCD) from a licensed medical professional. Members questioned how this process relates to the state’s special education rules and whether the school-district examiner standards in ED 107/1107.04 apply to EFAs. Sutherton said the MCD form, created with the department, requires the medical professional to sign that they are qualified to make the determination and to identify the disability. Several members expressed concern that the EFA process is less rigorous than the school-district IEP process and may be inflating disability counts. One member argued that the administrative rules cited are primarily for school districts, not EFAs, and said the Department of Education may not know how many of the roughly 890 EFA students receiving differentiated aid came through school-district documentation versus the MCD pathway. Another member said the EFA system appears more generous than the school system and raised concerns about oversight, auditing, and whether the program’s data are accurate. Sutherton said the organization reviews signed documentation, credentials, and diagnosis information, and may request additional records to help adjudicate expenses. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the prior minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• That would have been the first program created in the state of Massachusetts.
• That would have been the first program created in the state of Massachusetts.
• When the program first started, it was a Chapter 70 program, which explains the problem for me purchasing
• but all other programs are allowed to buy that creditable service back.
• I think it needs to be addressed because many of the programs, if there's going to be any new programs

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Service

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service held a hearing on a wide range of credible service and retirement-related bills, with testimony largely focused on allowing public employees to buy back prior service time or receive more appropriate retirement classifications. Bills discussed included retirement buyback for Joint Base Cape Cod firefighters (H. 4317), clarification of call firefighter buyback rights (H. 2883/S. 1915), veterans’ buyback (H. 2957), a Bridgewater State University police death-benefit/heart-law issue (filed by Rep. Gallagher), unpaid parental leave buyback for municipal employees (H. 2946), school nurse creditable service (H. 2887/S. 1787), former private/parochial school teacher buyback (S. 1900/H. 2873), Massport police retirement classification (S. 1888), contract employee buyback (H. 2795), Retirement Plus late entry (H. 2792), CVTE/teacher-related buyback issues (H. 2762), Peace Corps/AmeriCorps creditable service (H. 2927), and institutional school teacher retirement fairness (H. 2757). Several speakers also referenced related bills for teachers and nurses that had been heard previously or were filed in parallel in the other branch. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support of the bills. Speakers argued that the measures would correct inequities, recognize prior public service, and help recruit and retain workers in hard-to-fill public jobs. Firefighters described the unique federal-to-state transition at Joint Base Cape Cod and said some members were left out of earlier buyback opportunities. Veterans, teachers, school nurses, correctional educators, and Massport police all described service requirements, administrative gaps, or outdated statutory language that they said unfairly limited retirement credit or placed them in the wrong retirement group. Several witnesses emphasized that the proposals were fiscally responsible because employees would pay the cost of the buybacks, and some noted that similar bills had been filed repeatedly in prior sessions. Committee members asked a few clarifying questions, mostly about why certain employees had been excluded under current law or how the retirement provisions would work. No opposition testimony was presented. The hearing concluded after all scheduled witnesses testified, with the chairs thanking participants for their service and the committee voting to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also don't list transitional programs.
• Specific to the state of Massachusetts, we have multiple different voucher programs.
• , some of which have funding through federal programs as well.
• So a lot of great programs.
• I know Charlie is part of one of their working groups with the PCA program.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Long-Term Services and Supports and Health Equity Subcommittee met with a presentation from Housing Navigator Massachusetts. Staff described the nonprofit’s mission to improve access to affordable housing through a free, 24/7 search tool and public data dashboards. They explained how the site distinguishes between rent-based-on-income units and fixed below-market rent units, how mobile vouchers such as AHVP and Section 8 interact with those listings, and what types of housing are included or excluded from the database. They also reviewed accessibility filters, supportive housing resources, and related state programs such as EOHLC resources and RAFT. Committee members asked about the organization’s funding, the availability of voucher programs, and whether the site tracks demand for accessible units or wait lists over time. Housing Navigator said it is primarily supported through the state, works closely with the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, and does not collect personal application data because it is not part of the application process. Staff said accessible units appear to be in high demand, but they do not have direct data on how many people are waiting or how many applications result from site visits. They also said they are working to improve data sharing, more frequent updates, and future research tools. Members discussed ways to increase public awareness of Housing Navigator, including sharing a one-page fact sheet or infographic through disability organizations, local disability commissions, independent living centers, and the Massachusetts Office on Disability. The subcommittee also briefly discussed future goals, including inviting MassHealth to a January meeting, seeking regular updates on federal Medicare and Medicaid developments, reviewing the annual report’s recommendations, and possibly planning a future health equity event. The meeting ended with the introduction of new commission member Victoria Gill and a motion to adjourn, which was approved unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• So there was a four-year build-out time frame for this program, which we will hold them to.
• of a menu of options that we will let you look at and design a program for the extra money.
• There could be others that are direct federal programs.
• These funds will be used to expand the program for rural districts. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• , or we ended programs, or whatever we did, because they were covered otherwise.

Committee: All ALC-PEER

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As you all know, Washington has been working to implement the BEAD program for the past three or four
• In early June, the administration released guidance that more or less overhauls the program.
• I'll just say here, our subgrantees for the BEAD program are very anxious about this.
• Our BEAD program is now going to connect 166,000 homes and small businesses in Washington.
• What I can say is that the bead program has a 10-year federal interest period.

Bills: HB2684 , HJM4012

Committee: House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Keywords: social disadvantage, business certification, state guidelines, economic equity, minority-owned businesses, combat veterans, support, military service, injury compensation, veteran affairs, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the reason why MFA is overseeing this program is they are the leaders of our residential lending program
• This is really a very innovative program.
• They provide loans and funding for all types of housing programs, usually for affordable housing programs
• So, Representative, I would like your program.
• This is a recruit—this is not an affordable housing program, and Not an affordable housing program, and

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And if so, why was there a reduction in that grant program? Thank you for the question.
• I know my constituents really want, love this program, and want to use this program.
• Just a couple highlights of the program.
• Yes, Senator, that is a big reason for the slowing of the program. There continue...
• Yes, Senator, that is a big reason for the slowing of the program. There continue...

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Whereas the YMCA is a leader in providing swim lessons, camping programs, youth sports, meal programs
• <00:40:00.400><c> in</c><00:40:00.720><c> 1936,</c> program in 1936, program in 1936, a<00:40:02.640>
• Whereas the YMCA is a leader in providing swim lessons, camping programs, youth sports, meal programs
• ,</c> programs, youth sports, meal programs, programs, youth sports, meal programs, lifestyle,<00:41:
• of fitness programs for older provider of fitness programs for older older<00:41:59.520><c> adults.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The redesign of the program was intended to get rid of some of those incentives and restructure the program
• So they redesigned the whole program.
• So the redesign of the program was to get rid of some of those incentives and to restructure the program
• So they've restructured the program that they have.
• So they've restructured the program that they have.

Committee: All ALC-STATE INSURANCE PROGRAMS OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The committee received an update from Grant Wallace on the rebid and possible decoupling of the state’s Medicare Advantage retiree coverage. He said the state is exploring splitting medical and pharmacy benefits for post-65 retirees, with UnitedHealthcare as the incumbent vendor, and that preliminary estimates suggested savings of about $100 to $200 per participant per month. He outlined the expected timeline for final CMS rate announcements in April 2026, with contract amendments likely to come before the committee in May or June after review by the EBD Advisory Commission and State Board of Finance. Representatives from Segal Consulting then reviewed the history and current structure of the Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan, explaining that the plan was adopted after a 2021 recommendation and launched in 2023 alongside the existing Med-Sup option. They said the Medicare Advantage option has produced substantial savings, including a lower monthly rate than the Med-Sup plan and about $40 million in savings from initial enrollment, while also restoring pharmacy benefits for some retirees. The presenters then explained recent federal changes under the Inflation Reduction Act, including major changes to Part D funding, the direct subsidy, and risk-score methodology, which they said have made risk adjustment much more important and are driving interest in separating medical and pharmacy contracts. In response to questions from senators, the presenters said the Medicare Advantage plan covers post-65 teacher and state employee retirees, including retirees from state agencies and K-12 public schools. They also explained that the new Part D structure has reduced out-of-pocket costs for members, with a $2,000 annual cap and lower average member spending to reach it, while shifting more cost to the plan. No votes were taken and no formal action was reported; the committee simply received the update and was told to expect further information after the April rate notice. The meeting adjourned with the committee scheduled to return on May 13.

Transcript Highlights:

• At age three, they're out of that program.
• This will be specific programs, summer programs geared to students with autism, and it provides for a
• The program has a waiting list and we would love to be able to expand this programming and offer it to
• This is a federal program as well. Excuse me.
• This is a federal program as well. Excuse me.

Committee: Senate Education Pre-K - 12

Summary: The Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee heard and passed two autism-related bills. SB 112, by Senator Harrell, would expand autism screening and referral grants, extend Early Steps services from age three to age four, designate the University of Florida autism center as a statewide hub, create grants for autism-focused charter schools and summer programs, and establish an autism microcredential for educators and paraprofessionals. Three technical or clarifying amendments were adopted, and the bill received support from Autism Speaks, The Arc of Florida, Foundation for Florida’s Future, and Miami-Dade County Commissioner Raquel Regalado, who emphasized early intervention and the need for training and expanded services. The bill was reported favorably by committee vote. The committee then considered SB 102, by Senator Gaetz, which would direct the Department of Education to create a workforce credential for students with autism spectrum disorder, including badges for job skills and workplace safety, and require reporting on outcomes such as employment after graduation. An amendment was adopted to allow students on a modified curriculum before formal diagnosis to participate and to require coordination with the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities and OSHA. Testimony from Amy Weatherby of the FSU Autism Institute and CARD strongly supported the bill, stressing the importance of employment outcomes and early preparation, while other organizations also supported it. SB 102 was reported favorably, and the committee adjourned after Senator Harrell was recorded as voting in the affirmative on SB 112.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an incredibly valuable program.
• programs losing people that.
• And I think I think, um, programming development or not? I think so.
• And so I'm just able to do it directly now because of this program.
• Last I looked, one program alone, ARDOF, was $177.2 million.

Committee: House Economic Development

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Programs are excluded if graduates re-enrolled in a more advanced degree within two years.
• , and allow those currently enrolled to complete the program before phasing it out.
• This system introduces real action for programs that leave graduates worse off.
• They said they want to make sure those programs are supported.
• a university to develop and implement a study abroad program.

Committee: Senate Education K-16

Summary: The committee heard and discussed several higher education and public school bills. Senator Burwell presented SB 1242 to remove an outdated Coordinating Board approval requirement for Texas State Technical College land and facility acquisitions, and SJR 59 to create a constitutionally dedicated endowment for TSTC capital needs; both drew strong support from industry and workforce groups and were left pending. SB 757, by Senator Middleton, would create a debt-to-earnings accountability system for public college programs, with supporters saying it would protect students from low-value degrees and opponents warning it could unfairly penalize programs with long-term value, especially graduate, medical, and public service fields; it was also left pending. SB 1241, by Senator Millington, would expand acceptable college entrance exams beyond the SAT and ACT, including the Classic Learning Test, and was left pending after testimony from CLT, homeschool, and student groups in support. SB 1085, by Senator Blanco, would let Sul Ross State University offer lower-division courses at its satellite campuses in the Middle Rio Grande region; it too was left pending. The committee then took up a series of public school and higher education measures, voting several out favorably. SB 605, as substituted, limits commissioner approval of charter school expansion amendments for schools under conservatorship or a management team and was reported favorably 9-0. SB 1871 and SB 1873, both by Senator Perry, were revised to narrow teacher immunity, clarify removal and suspension procedures, require periodic review of in-school suspension placements, and align discipline rules; both substitutes were adopted and reported favorably. SB 1872, SB 1874, SB 762, SB 1962, SB 1750, SB 2252, SB 2253, SB 2365, SB 1924, and SB 37 were also considered, with most reported favorably on party-line or near-unanimous votes. SB 1750 would replace a flat charter school facilities funding cap with an attendance-based formula; SB 2252 and SB 2253 address kindergarten readiness, early literacy/numeracy, and educator preparation; SB 2365 concerns student phone use during instructional time; SB 1924 restores local citation authority for certain school offenses and adds reporting, notice, and completion requirements; and SB 37 would expand state oversight of higher education curriculum, governance, faculty senates, and compliance with state law. Other measures heard included SB 769, which would require a Coordinating Board report on barriers faced by students with disabilities in higher education; supporters emphasized the need for better data and accessibility, while witnesses suggested broader reporting on race, disability types, and K-12-to-college transitions. SB 2231 would designate a Free College Application Week in October and was left pending. SB 1878 would modernize the Josie School statute and provide formula funding and aid eligibility for Polytechnic College. SB 1409 would authorize universities to offer self-funded student health benefit plans, with Rice University and Texas 2036 supporting the measure as a way to lower costs and expand coverage. SB 2431 would require universities to give foreign language credit for study abroad programs, SB 2314 would require schools to inform students about opting in or out of record sharing for direct admissions through My Texas Future, and SB 2138 would extend the state’s anti-ESG contracting restrictions to public higher education endowments and governing boards; these later bills were introduced and left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• grades, you've got to leave the welding program.'
• and free lunch programs.
• and free lunch programs.
• We need more money in early child care programs.
• I instituted a program in PE. I gave written tests.

Summary: The Education Administration Subcommittee heard and advanced a series of education bills focused on transparency, accountability, attendance, school start times, student well-being, and career planning. HB 1321, by Rep. Salsman, would remove public-records and public-meeting exemptions for university presidential searches, eliminate the Board of Governors from those searches, require Board of Governors members to file full financial disclosures and be Florida residents, and expand syllabus posting requirements; it passed 15-0. HB 1079, by Rep. Botana, as amended, broadened eligibility for dropout retrieval programs to include students who withdrew and did not reengage in education, and it also passed 15-0 after a strike-all amendment and supportive testimony from a program provider. The committee also approved PCS for HB 969, by Rep. Kassel, which shifts evaluation of school mental health services to the Department of Children and Families and requires more detailed outcome data, surveys, and reporting related to the Mental Health Assistance Allocation program; it passed 15-0. HB 1367, by Rep. Booth, creates a statewide attendance policy with uniform definitions and reporting requirements to address chronic absenteeism; it passed 15-1 after support from business and education groups and some concern about state control over district policy. PCS for HB 261, by Rep. Gerwig, revises the 2023 middle and high school start-time law by allowing districts to document compliance efforts and unintended consequences rather than fully meet the mandated later start times; it passed 16-0. The most debated bill was HB 1483, by Rep. Valdez, which would align Florida’s school grading scale with the familiar 90/80/70/60 letter-grade standard over a five-year transition and require school grades to appear on student report cards. Supporters argued the current scale is misleading and too lenient, while opponents warned it would sharply increase failing school labels, create costs and turnaround mandates, and confuse parents and students. Despite extensive testimony from school board members, teachers, students, and advocacy groups on both sides, the bill passed 12-4. The committee then quickly approved HB 1245, a one-year Hunger-Free Campus Pilot Program for three universities with the highest share of Pell-eligible students, and HB 571, which expands career planning, paid work experience, and credit-transfer review for students; both passed unanimously.