Transcript Highlights:

• The bill requires the department to create a standard withdrawal form to be used by scholarship applicants
• Then you have to have some kind of standardized way of paying out money.
• Then the bill standardizes the authorized use of funds among scholarships.
• Then the bill standardizes the authorized use of funds among scholarships.
• Then the bill standardizes the authorized use of funds among scholarships.

Summary: The committee first heard the Pre-K-12 education budget proposal for fiscal year 2025-26 and voted to adopt it as the committee’s recommendation to the full Senate Appropriations Committee. The proposed $34.7 billion budget includes increases for the FEFP, Family Empowerment Scholarships, VPK, school safety, the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, school hardening, Jewish day school security, and an education enrollment stabilization fund. Members asked no questions on the budget before it was advanced, and staff was authorized to make technical corrections. The committee then passed CS/SB 1402, which expands eligibility for dropout retrieval services to any individual who has withdrawn from high school and clarifies how school grades are calculated for virtual instruction providers that offer only dropout retrieval services. An amendment to clarify the grading calculation was adopted without objection, and the bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote. The committee also took up SPB 7030, a comprehensive scholarship-program bill sponsored by Senator Gates, which would separate Family Empowerment Scholarship funding as its own categorical, expand the education stabilization fund, create fall and spring application windows, require a single scholarship application and more documentation, assign student IDs, change payments to a monthly schedule, require background checks for paid instructional providers, mandate annual FTE audits by the Auditor General, and standardize reimbursement and eligibility procedures. After extensive discussion and public testimony, the bill was adopted as a committee bill and reported favorably, with Senator Osgood voting no. Finally, the committee considered CS/SB 508, which requires private schools participating in the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program to disclose in writing what accommodations, modifications, and services they will provide for students with existing plans such as IEPs, 504 plans, or ELL plans. An amendment was adopted to require public schools to consult with private schools about equitable services, and the bill was reported favorably. Public testimony included support from parent-choice advocates and concerns from private-school representatives about administrative burden and the scope of the required disclosures. The meeting concluded after the final roll call votes and adjournment motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because again, these are the same standards that everything's already subject to today.
• This has the issue, the first analysis is, is there a compelling standard just in the state of providing
• magic, but I think in your variety everyday case where we're deciding whether somebody gets the standard
• possession order or the extended. expanded standard possession order that courts will give... other
• And the way you determine is you use the best interest of the child. standard, which is Steve's point

Bills: HB170 , HB865 , HB748 , HJR112 , HB 1110 , HB1495 , HB786 , HB 1130 , HB170

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: civil liability, self-defense, force, deadly force, legal immunity, attorney's fees, criminal justice, firearms, liability, veterans, gun ownership, immunity, firearm hold agreement, sexual abuse, nondisclosure, confidentiality, public policy, Trey's Law, parental rights, child upbringing

Transcript Highlights:

• products they're selling have gone through the rigor of the testing, and are all held to the same standards
• It meets the standards that we have here in Florida.
• I support using Florida labs to ensure all products are up to Florida standards, because it levels the
• responsibly distributed by the Anheuser-Busch distribution network, ensuring they meet the highest safety standards
• ABC has set the standard for this on the beverage alcohol side, and now we're trying to help do it on

Committee: Senate Agriculture

Summary: The Committee on Agriculture heard a presentation from Florida FFA state officers Gabby Howell and Macy Jordan, who described FFA and agricultural education as a three-part model of classroom instruction, supervised agricultural experience, and leadership development. They highlighted FFA membership growth, Florida’s more than 60,000 members, industry certifications, and state funding that allows all agriculture education students to participate at no cost. Members praised the students and the organization’s role in developing future agricultural leaders. The committee then took up SB 438, which would regulate hemp and hemp extract products, including THC-infused beverages, by adding testing, labeling, retail location, age, and event restrictions, along with penalties and $2 million for testing equipment. Senator Burton said the bill is intended to address public safety, prevent products with illegal THC levels from reaching consumers, and respond to the governor’s prior veto concerns, especially store location and regulation. An amendment clarifying final batch testing was adopted without objection. Testimony was mixed. Supporters, including beverage distributors, law enforcement, and some hemp beverage businesses, backed regulation and said the bill would improve safety and clarity, though some asked for changes to avoid treating specialty beverage retailers like liquor stores. Opponents and some hemp industry representatives argued the bill was too restrictive, would hurt small businesses, and could push products into the black market; they also objected to THC limits, event restrictions, and the proposed regulatory structure. After debate, the committee voted 6-0 to report CS for SB 438 favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have the alternative which is to have a U.S. denominated stablecoin that becomes a world standard
• is to say that federal and state payment stable coin regulators, so the regulators would develop standards
• legislation requires stablecoin issuers to publish their policies about what those redemption, you know, standards
• that doesn't go far enough, that it just makes sense that we would have kind of a base level of standard
• These standards which allow for tailoring, granting regulators tailoring flexibility will help ensure

Bills: SB875

Committee: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee

Keywords: banking regulation, federal agencies, reputational risk, financial services, supervision, FIRM Act, bank supervision, depository institutions, federal banking agencies, FDIC, OCC, Federal Reserve, NCUA, CFPB, credit unions, Operation Choke Point, financial discrimination, safety and soundness, supervisory guidance, examination manual

Summary: This meeting focused on the markup of the Genius Act and the FIRM Act, two significant pieces of legislation addressing stablecoin regulation and the financial industry's regulatory framework. The Chairman noted the importance of providing clarity to the digital asset community and protecting American consumers, while also promoting innovation and competition within the financial sector. Members of both parties expressed varying viewpoints, with some highlighting concerns related to national security and the potential risks associated with stablecoins.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of these fees, as the Chancellor pointed out earlier today, also have to be rated by Moody's, Standard
• passed was a $2.5 million cost to Florida State University that was not funded, and the Fair Labor Standards
• You take out the standardization. But I do think that it comes with a level of flexibility.
• You take out the standardization.
• guidelines that can help us or guide us to ensuring there is a level of consistency or at least a standard

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to examine how Florida’s state universities are funded and to begin discussing a possible university funding model. The panel included the State University System chancellor and CFOs from FSU, UF, FAMU, FAU, UNF, and UCF. Members first reviewed major cost drivers, which the universities said are broadly similar across institutions: wages and benefits, equipment and supplies, financial aid, professional services, utilities, IT, and maintenance. Several institutions noted unique pressures from geography, growth, research intensity, and mission, such as UCF’s size and engineering focus, UF’s land-grant and research enterprise, FAMU’s need to recruit top talent while serving a high-Pell student population, and FSU’s large facilities and research obligations. The chancellor also summarized systemwide cost growth since 2012-13, including higher health insurance, retirement, and salary costs, while noting tuition had been held flat. The committee then discussed other revenue sources, including auxiliaries, restricted funds, capital projects, and component units such as foundations and health systems. University leaders explained that many of these funds are restricted to specific purposes, and some, like UF Health, account for a large share of operating expenses. Members also discussed the current performance-based funding process. University representatives generally praised it for transparency, accountability, and its focus on student success, but said the heavy use of one-time funds, nonrecurring appropriations, and unfunded mandates makes long-term planning difficult. FSU and others argued that rising employee costs, waivers, and facilities expenses are not fully covered, while FAMU said performance funding has improved outcomes but can disadvantage institutions serving more low-income students. In response to questions about improvements, the universities suggested more recurring and predictable funding, better coverage of mandated costs, more flexibility in fees, and continued investment in research and strategic priorities. The chancellor said the Board of Governors is considering a version 3.0 of performance funding that would benchmark institutions against peers and Carnegie classifications. The committee also explored whether universities should have more flexibility to set out-of-state tuition and professional school tuition. Most university leaders favored giving boards of trustees more authority, while the chancellor cautioned that increasing out-of-state enrollment or tuition too much could affect legislative support. No votes were taken; the meeting ended with the chair thanking the panel and adjourning the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are those standard across the state, or do they differ?
• And do the reimbursements, are those standard across the state or do they differ based on the agreements
• school districts around the state have agreements with different providers, there's probably some standardization
• school districts around the state have agreements with different providers, there's probably some standardization
• program—but it also shows them that there's other things as well that are not part of the regular standard

Summary: The Careers and Workforce Subcommittee met to discuss apprenticeship education and workforce development, with panelists from Santa Fe College, the Florida Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association, ABC East Coast/ABC Institute, and Piper Fire Protection. Members heard that apprenticeships are growing in Florida, with panelists emphasizing that these programs offer paid, tuition-free training, progressive wage increases, and strong job placement in high-demand fields such as HVAC, electrical, fire protection, and construction. Panelists also described efforts to expand into new areas like accounting, cybersecurity, network infrastructure, and surgical technology, while stressing the importance of aligning programs with employer demand. A major topic was funding and reimbursement. Panelists said the current model is complicated and often leaves providers with only a portion of the funds appropriated for apprentices, with one provider saying reimbursement can be as low as 44% and others describing caps, contract delays, and inconsistent CareerSource support. They argued that more of the money should reach training providers, that small businesses need more support to participate, and that transparency and contract reform could help expand enrollment and improve program quality. Several also raised barriers such as instructor approval rules, paperwork, and facility costs. Members asked about admission criteria, program costs, employer incentives, outreach to high school students, and whether apprenticeships should have greater access to other funding sources. Panelists said the main requirements are being employed and willing to work and learn, and that outreach through schools, career fairs, community partnerships, and public awareness campaigns is essential. They also discussed articulation agreements that can provide college credit for apprenticeship training and suggested statewide credit recognition and possible direct funding to providers as policy improvements. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with the subcommittee adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Within limits, we're seeking to standardize charity care.
• standardize standardize the the the uh<00:14:12.880><c> charity</c><00:14:13.200><c> care.
• </c><00:14:41.640><c> approach,</c> and using an industry standard approach, and using an industry standard
• can standardize as we can standardize um<00:14:55.280><c> charity</c><00:14:55.600><c> care</c><00:14
• </c> standard across the industry. Thank you. standard across the industry. Thank you.

Bills: HF4343

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: sales tax, use tax, advertising tax, taxable services, digital advertising, online marketing, marketing services, search engine marketing, lead generation, internet advertising, ad agency, media buying, campaign planning, Minnesota tax law, service tax, broadening tax base, web advertising, promotional services, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• of once we gather craft to a standard of once we gather craft the<00:30:05.120><c> amendment</c><00:
• to consider, and we recommend amending the bill to include sufficient standards.
• to consider, and we recommend amending the bill to include sufficient standards.
• , and we recommend amending the bill to include sufficient standards.
• </c><02:02:11.599><c> for</c> AG's amendments proposing standards for AG's amendments proposing standards

Bills: HB2488 , HB2456

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Keywords: disability, communication access, deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind, healthcare, sign language interpreters, auxiliary aids, weight loss, GLP-1 drugs, obesity, Medicaid, healthcare costs, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HP 1972, which would create a nonrefundable family caregiver tax credit, and on a related tax measure to increase the existing dependent care tax credit. Supporters of HP 1972, including AARP, the Executive Office on Aging, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and others, said unpaid caregivers are essential to keeping kūpuna and other loved ones at home and described significant out-of-pocket costs. The Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation raised technical concerns, including the need to avoid overlap with existing credits and to prevent double-dipping. The department said taxpayers can claim credits to the extent allowed, but recommended explicit language barring the same costs from being claimed under more than one credit. No vote was taken in the excerpt, and the chair moved the bill along after questions. The committee then heard HP 1975, which would repeal the sunset on the state rent supplement program for kūpuna. AARP, Catholic Charities Hawaii, the Executive Office on Aging, and others supported making the program permanent, saying it helps low-income older adults avoid eviction and homelessness and allows them to remain in affordable housing. Catholic Charities described clients who were paying unsustainable shares of income for rent before receiving the supplement. Members also shared a constituent example of an elderly retiree who needed the subsidy to stay housed. Written support was noted from additional organizations and individuals. Next, the committee took up HB 1706, which would expand Medicaid prospective payment reimbursement to include mental health services furnished in federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics by mental health professionals under supervision. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, and DHS said it appreciated the intent to address workforce shortages and expand training, but cautioned that unlicensed professionals cannot currently bill Medicaid and that a state plan amendment would be needed, with limited precedent for approval. Members asked about the likelihood and timing of federal approval and whether the bill could help rural areas; DHS said approval is uncertain and the process can take time, though it saw possible alignment with the state’s rural health transformation efforts. The committee also discussed HB 546, a three-year health coverage continuity pilot program for people losing Medicaid coverage. DHS, the Attorney General’s office, DCCA, Catholic Charities, the University of Hawaii, and others testified, with DHS warning that federal changes could increase uninsured rates and that the state may need to act quickly. Catholic Charities and others emphasized the risk to Medicaid recipients, including homeless and near-elderly residents, while DHS explained the state’s existing premium assistance program for certain immigrants and compared it to the proposed pilot. The excerpt ends during discussion of that comparison, with no vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Adopting the state's homestead standards Adopting the state's homestead standards would<01:33:20.639
• This bill does not eliminate food safety standards. It aligns with Manchester.
• It aligns Manchester with the same standards already trusted and successfully used throughout most of
• It's 66 years of standards. It aligns with Manchester. standards. It aligns with Manchester.
• </c> citizens to follow the same standards citizens to follow the same standards fellow<01:34:20.320>

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• standards and practices across<00:13:43.680><c> the</c><00:13:43.800><c> Enterprise</c><00:13:44.800
• categories for state agencies standard categories for state agencies to<00:13:56.639><c> collect</c>
• we sued ever Minnesota's legal standards we sued ever green<00:38:21.920><c> one</c><00:38:22.319><c
• We will continue to evolve these capabilities. standards at the state and this proposal standards at
• This slide shows a summary of how OGM fulfills their mission to standardize, streamline, and improve

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, and what's the concern with the standards for grants?
• We can provide examples to the committee on standard grant language that can be inserted in the bill
• grant grant language and then standard grant grant language and then we<00:58:23.119><c> can</c><00:
• </c><00:58:27.079><c> Grant</c> committee on on um standard Grant committee on on um standard Grant language
• </c> areas that meet the minimum standards areas that meet the minimum standards for<02:20:07.160><c>

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Housing held a public hearing and moved quickly through a long agenda, beginning with HB 606 on the Department of Hawaiian Homelands. DHHL and several community testifiers strongly supported the bill, describing it as a way to fulfill long-standing promises to Native Hawaiians, reduce the DHHL waitlist, keep families in Hawaii, and support housing production and the broader economy. Testifiers emphasized the cultural and economic importance of stable housing and noted the large number of people still waiting for DHHL homes. The committee then heard HB 1086, also relating to DHHL, which would allow the department to use a $75 million appropriation from the dwelling unit revolving fund as collateral for loans. DHHL, HHFDC, and other supporters said the measure would help DHHL obtain better loan terms and preserve trust funds for other uses. Members asked detailed questions about how the collateral would work, whether other agencies use similar structures, and what would happen if the collateral were drawn upon; staff explained that the funds would be encumbered for the loan and that a similar model had been used for a HUD-backed project. The committee also heard HB 739, which would create the COM homes program to fund counties to buy voluntary deed restrictions from eligible homeowners or buyers. Supporters said the program could help keep local workers in Hawaii by using existing housing stock and cited examples from places like Aspen and Vail. The Attorney General’s office recommended amendments to remove duration requirements to avoid right-to-travel concerns, and the Tax Foundation suggested clarifying the conveyance tax exemption so it also covers the instrument imposing the restriction. Members asked whether tax dollars would be used to buy homes, who would be eligible, and how enforcement would work; supporters said the program is voluntary and income-blind, with restrictions tied to living and working in the state. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• we follow the standards.
• because we we follow the standards because we we follow the standards<01:28:54.480><c> and</c><01:28
• and so it's how do we use AI standards and so it's how do we use AI to<01:28:58.040><c> um</c><01:28
• And we've long done away with the standardized tests.
• </c><01:46:10.119><c> tests</c><01:46:10.719><c> they're</c> away with the standardized tests they're

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• support the work the department does to license our health care providers and hold them to high standards
• </c><00:32:35.159><c> but</c><00:32:35.279><c> the</c> and hold them to high standards but the and hold
• them to high standards but the fact<00:32:35.720><c> remains</c><00:32:36.039><c> that</c><00:32:36.200
• </c><00:33:21.399><c> to</c><00:33:21.559><c> enhance</c> high to higher standards to enhance high to
• The actuarial standards are reviewed and approved by the department, and the products are constructed

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the standards that the subject jurisdiction applies."
• the standards that the subject jurisdiction..."
• So now jurisdiction including standards.
• So, it's including standards related.
• </c><02:40:09.359><c> setbacks</c> standards related to structure setbacks standards related to structure

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Simply put, nutrition standards must be guided by scientists, not politicians, and industry lobbyists
• Bottom line is that members of Congress should not inject politics into child nutrition standards at
• Bottom line is that members of Congress should not inject politics into child nutrition standards at
• Bottom line is that members of Congress should not inject politics into child nutrition standards at
• > reversionary clauses are standard reversionary clauses are standard practice<04:02:27.600><c> in</c

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, December 15, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And data is, I think this is standard.
• And data is, I think this is standard.
• And data is, I think this is standard.
• It's time for a new industry standard.
• :15.839><c> that</c><00:52:16.160><c> homeowners</c> standard that recognizes that homeowners standard

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not sure if they have the same standards as the traditional public schools.
• So in charter schools have to follow facility standards as well, so then maybe that is similar to the
• </c> those standards both of those standards those standards both of those standards one<06:04:08.280
• The same thing here: the background check is a standard for due diligence that you can feel comfortable
• check is a standard for due diligence<06:07:08.718><c> that</c><06:07:08.878><c> you</c><06:07:09.000

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first addressed House Bill 415, which would remove the requirement that schools provide menstrual products. Members supporting an ITL said the mandate was unfunded, had been in place since 2019, and was already working without complaints from districts. Other members opposed the bill, arguing menstrual products are essential and that the requirement helps students, especially those with fewer resources. The committee voted ITL on HB 415 by a roll call of 17 yeas, 0 nays. The committee then took up House Bill 388, concerning public reports on special education. Supporters of ITL said they agreed with the goal of transparency but were concerned about student privacy, especially in small districts, and thought the bill’s information requests went too far. They noted that related issues could potentially be addressed in another bill, HB 557. The committee voted ITL on HB 388, 17-0. House Bill 730, which would require schools and some colleges to provide information on adoption, was also moved ITL. The sponsor said adoption is personally important to him but that the bill was not the right vehicle and involved entities such as colleges and the Attorney General unnecessarily; he said related ideas might be folded into other bills later. The committee agreed and voted ITL, 17-0. The committee then discussed House Bill 671, a preschool/early literacy proposal involving a statewide nonprofit digital program, likely Waterford. Members raised questions about who would be covered, data privacy, prior use of federal ESSER funds, whether the program had measurable results, and whether the bill’s nonprofit requirement was too restrictive. Department of Education witness Melissa White said the state had spent $400,000 in FY22 and $600,000 in FY23 on a Waterford contract using ARP ESSER funds, but she did not have participant counts and said the department could not measure literacy gains for that population. She also said the bill’s funding level would likely require an RFP and that, if enacted as written, the program would probably still be Waterford-based. The discussion continued without a final vote in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pupilo Jr. and Samantha Montanio relative to school library standards. The petition of Angelo J.
• Pupilo Jr. and Samantha Montaño relative to school library standards to the Committee on Education.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House began with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up a series of committee reports and routine legislative actions. The Committee on Rules recommended adoption of several congratulatory and honorary resolutions, including recognition of Grupo Nosa Senora Das Candiaas, Karen Dejean, and Dr. Michael F. Fitzpatrick; the House suspended the rules and adopted them. The House also suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer two petitions, one on school library standards to the Committee on Education and one on damages for employees aggrieved by Massachusetts Wage Act violations to the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development. The House then considered several bills and special matters. It approved a sick leave bank bill for J.O. Charlatan of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, ordering it to a third reading, and later passed to enactment a Senate bill establishing a sick leave bank for Andrew Satera of the Trial Court after adopting the required emergency preamble. The House also advanced and enacted Senate 2152, as amended, designating June 7 as Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day, again first adopting the emergency preamble and then passing the bill to be enacted. In addition, the Committee on Steering, Policy, and Scheduling reported the Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day bill for House consideration, and the House suspended the rules to take it up. The Speaker welcomed guests from Weymouth High School’s Scrap Robotics Team. At the end of the session, the House adopted an order to meet the following Monday at 11:00 a.m. and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Eastern Standard Time.
• EASTERN STANDARD TIME.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Saturday, January 3, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The national standards have changed.
• It mirrors the federal standards in the Veterans Atomic Veterans Act.

Bills: HB506 , HB480 , HB105 , HB403 , HB513 , SB341

Committee: Senate Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Safety

Keywords: emergency vehicles, off-road vehicles, public safety, liability, regulations, foreign nationals, voter identification, driver licenses, immigration documentation, Alabama election law, law enforcement, retirement benefits, Alabama Peace Officers, agency-issued badge, agency-issued pistol, criminal enterprise, database, data privacy, criminal justice, background check