Transcript Highlights:

• questions when they go from provider to provider in the system.
• kind of regional credentialing support for facilities as they're hiring new providers because that's
• kind of regional credentialing support for facilities as they're hiring new providers because that's
• We want them to learn from high-quality training providers who provide credentials of value.
• We want them to learn from high-quality training providers who provide credentials of value.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we will provide an update once we have one, but wanted to provide those details.
• So we will provide an update once we have one, but wanted to provide those details.
• So it's kind of getting them to that next credential and to the next credential.
• Are the community colleges currently placing—do we have a list that is going to be provided, or is provided
• And we do provide those via...

Summary: The subcommittee first noted that item one on the Imagination Library update was being pulled pending review of newly received receipts, invoices, and backup documentation from the State Library and the Department of Finance. The chair said the committee would continue reviewing the materials and later determine whether additional oversight and accountability measures are needed regarding taxpayer funds and implementation of the program. The main discussion focused on the California Community Colleges budget request. Chancellor Christian described strong post-pandemic enrollment recovery and asked the Legislature to fund 3% enrollment growth, change the funding formula to use the highest of the three years rather than a three-year average, and remove the 10% growth cap to avoid unfunded FTES. She also urged support for the Governor’s proposals on COLA, deferral repayment, the Common Cloud Data Platform, credit for prior learning, and Calbright College, while adding requests for AI literacy funding, a Rebuild L.A. workforce effort, veterans services, and support for the Chancellor’s Office. Senators raised concerns about high district reserves, part-time faculty conditions, veterans’ credit pathways, and enrollment fraud; Christian said reserves are complex but should be addressed district by district, and that identity verification and AI tools are being used to prevent fraudulent enrollments. Finance and LAO staff then reviewed the student-centered funding formula and enrollment growth proposals. DOF said the Governor’s budget fully repays $408.4 million in deferrals, provides a 2.41% COLA, and includes funding to cover current-year apportionment costs; LAO recommended prioritizing those proposals but suggested beginning enrollment growth funding in 2026-27 rather than revising the current-year target. Chris Ferguson said most districts are growing, that 54 of 72 districts would benefit from a formula change favoring current-year enrollment, and that unfunded growth remains a concern. On facilities, staff explained that deferred maintenance needs are about $2.2 billion, with projects prioritized by life safety, modernization, and capacity needs. The final item was Calbright College. President Menon said Calbright serves more than 6,200 adult learners statewide, with strong completion and wage gains, and asked for the Governor’s proposed $38 million ongoing increase. She and staff emphasized Calbright’s flexible, competency-based model, its partnerships with employers and other colleges, and its role in serving working adults and caregivers. LAO questioned the proposed funding level and recommended moving Calbright onto the student-centered funding formula in the future to better tie funding to enrollment and outcomes, while Calbright argued its structure is different from traditional colleges and needs separate treatment. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• They will provide needed funds to ensure that hospitals and providers can receive timely payment and
• It provides an additional **$17 million** from the enhanced fleet modernization sub-account to provide
• It provides an increase of **$250,000** for the teacher credential fund authority to the Commission on
• We're happy to provide some high-level numbers if interested. Okay. Thank you.
• our social service providers.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1414 would establish the Texas Seal of Biliteracy to provide a uniform statewide credential
• This means that many talented multilingual students graduate without a clear credential that reflects
• them with a standardized credential that is respected by colleges.
• This bill would not only provide parity with other first responders and public safety, but it also provides
• They offer credentials within those programs to be certified. Okay, very good.

Bills: SB750, SB2995, SB1716, SB2430, SB203, SB1679, SB2683, SB1414

Keywords: tuition exemption, paramedics, higher education, public institutions, laboratory fees, education code, financial aid, education, student support, scholarships, nontraditional education, student enrollment, financial assistance, Texas students, foreign adversaries, trade secrets, research integrity, security measures, international agreements, student privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm actually testifying other to provide relevant information for this bill.
• I'm actually testifying in order to provide relevant information for this bill.
• I'm actually testifying other to provide relevant information for this bill.
• Ross is providing that analysis. Ms. Ross, thank you, Mr. Chair, members of the committee.
• We started with our 70% credential attainment goal in 2016, and we were at 40%.

Summary: The committee held its first meeting and heard four bills. HB 2286 would create an alternative route to social worker licensure by removing the exam requirement for advanced social workers and allowing enhanced supervision with supervisor attestation in place of the exam for independent clinical social workers. The sponsor and several social workers testified that the exam is a poor measure of clinical competence and can be a barrier to licensure, while opponents warned that removing the exam could affect public protection and Washington’s participation in the social work compact. Members asked follow-up questions about the compact, the exam format, and accreditation requirements, but no action was taken. HB 2363 would allow music therapy license applicants to practice under supervision for up to six months while waiting for exam verification. The sponsor described it as a technical fix to the new licensure system, and testimony from music therapists, educators, and a patient supported the bill as a way to avoid delays in hiring newly trained therapists while maintaining supervision and patient safety. The bill drew strong support in written testimony and no opposition in the hearing. HB 2324 would change tuition waiver rules for children of eligible veterans and National Guard members by giving eligible children eight years from the date of a parent’s disability determination to use the waiver when that determination occurs after the child turns 18. The sponsor said the bill is meant to align state law with federal dependency education benefits and prevent families from losing access because disability determinations can take years. The committee asked for clarification on how the new timing would work, and the hearing closed without a vote. HB 2098 would eliminate the cap on the advanced computing surcharge, expand Washington College Grant eligibility up to 100% of state median family income, and reduce resident undergraduate tuition by 10% for three years starting in 2027-28. Supporters, including students, labor, and advocacy groups, said the bill would improve affordability and access to higher education by asking large tech companies to pay more. Opponents from business and university groups argued the surcharge would be economically harmful, that the state already has substantial WEA funding, and that the bill would reduce tuition revenue without adequately backfilling institutional budgets. The committee heard extensive testimony and members raised questions about the surcharge cap, WEA spending, and the compacted funding structure, but no final action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• provide the physical one as well.
• </c><01:15:13.360><c> must</c> or accepting electronic credentials must or accepting electronic credentials
• He said it can depend on the wallet provider who's providing the app that is on the phone.
• Either alternative would provide the same result.
• </c> throughout the state these rules provide throughout the state these rules provide counties<01:43

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides three things. ...that are paramount, we think, for the future of education.
• Not enough kids are getting these credentials after graduation.
• I'm just here to provide a little more context to just one part of the bill.
• It's more than just providers; it's about the entire system. Thank you all.
• We can provide that very fluidly in the classroom.

Bills: HB 117, HB2196, HB2689, HCR64, HB117

Keywords: early childhood education, task force, governance, Texas Education Agency, child care, education policy, virtual education, hybrid learning, school funding, average daily attendance, education technology, remote learning, education legislation, workforce development, adult education, high school diploma, industry certification, pilot program, gifted education, education support

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill provides essential flexibilities for hybrid models.
• So not enough kids are getting these credentials after graduation.
• Um, I'm just here to provide a little more context to just one part of the bill.
• It's more than just providers, it's about the entire system. Thank you all.
• We can provide that very fluidly in the classroom.

Bills: HB117

Keywords: county regulation, impervious cover, land use, unincorporated areas, environmental management

Transcript Highlights:

• It gives us that, provides for jobs in our local communities.
• So last year there was a 4.4% increase in the number of credential completions of students at Florida
• So again, short-term, rapid credentials individuals are earning that are helping prepare them for the
• Simultaneously, they would be taking related instruction that would provide them with the theoretical
• There's some supplemental data that they can submit to us on that, and we've been providing the data

Summary: The Higher Education Appropriations Committee met for its first meeting of the session and heard presentations focused on workforce education in the Florida College System and district technical colleges. Members introduced themselves and discussed their personal connections to higher education, then heard from Department of Education senior chancellor Kevin O’Farrell, South Florida State College president Fred Hawkins, and Pinellas Technical College representative Mark Hunt. O’Farrell outlined the department’s budget request, including increases for adult education, Florida College System program funds, workforce development capitalization grants, apprenticeship and teacher apprenticeship programs, Open Door scholarships, and CAPE industry certification funding. He emphasized record growth in enrollments, completions, dual enrollment, and program offerings, and described grant-funded expansion in fields such as health sciences, manufacturing, logistics, aerospace, and AI-related programs. Committee members raised concerns about whether current programs match actual labor-market demand, how artificial intelligence may reduce future human labor needs in some fields, and how the state should avoid unwarranted duplication of programs. O’Farrell said the department uses economic forecasts, employer demand data, and a CTE audit process to review programs and phase out those that do not meet performance thresholds. Members also asked for more detail on the teacher apprenticeship model, the transition from technical college clock hours to college credit, job placement and salary outcomes, and the LPN-to-RN pathway. O’Farrell said he would provide additional information later. Hawkins described South Florida State College’s rural service area, low college-going rates, and difficulty recruiting and retaining faculty and staff because salaries lag behind local market alternatives and nearby school district pay. He said the college has had to turn away students in high-demand programs due to staffing and operational limits, while also noting strong outcomes in nursing, dental hygiene, EMT/paramedic, and radiography. Hunt said Pinellas Technical College serves about 5,000 students annually, including many dual-enrolled high school students, and reported a placement rate above 90% and strong local economic returns. He said many programs have waiting lists and that additional operational funding is needed to meet demand, maintain equipment, and keep pace with salary and cost increases. The meeting ended after public comment was opened and no further business was brought before the committee, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This report provides tiered credential options and career ladders for direct care and support professionals
• This report provides tiered credential options and career ladders for direct care and support professionals
• </c> standardized training and credentialing standardized training and credentialing to<00:13:36.120>
• It provides long-term protection and strengthens the collaborative relationship between providers and
• They're just, you know, providers who are trying to provide care to people, and yeah, then they're up

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members may recall that that is the bill that provided for the simplification and modernization of the
• Members may recall that that is the bill that provided for the simplification and modernization of the
• It also provides that funding for public charter schools is in the amount of $8,600 per student.
• It also provides that funding for public charter schools is in the amount of $8,600 per student.
• that after all this funding has been provided for Tier 2 and Tier 3 students, any additional funding

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lauren Azavito Smith, credential teacher, in support. Thank you.
• Thank you for providing me the opportunity to provide testimony today to address the need for SB 568
• schools, will not provide them to preschools.
• I appreciate that convenience that you provided for them. Thank you so much, kind.
• Credentialed teachers.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee met without a quorum for much of the hearing and heard several bills out of order. SB 249 by Senator Umberg would move county board of education elections from the primary to the statewide general election. Supporters, including the League of Women Voters and many educators, argued the change would increase turnout and make the electorate more representative. The Orange County Board of Education opposed the bill, saying it would increase costs, reduce local control, and bury education races on crowded general-election ballots. The chair and members discussed turnout, cost, and representation, but the bill was held pending a quorum. Senator Grove presented SB 373, which adds safeguards for California students placed in out-of-state non-public schools through IEPs. The bill would require more robust LEA and CDE oversight, including annual site visits, student interviews, quarterly contact, stronger certification standards, and restrictions on prone, supine, and mechanical restraints. Testimony from a survivor of an out-of-state placement and from advocates emphasized abuse, neglect, and the need for stronger monitoring. There was broad support and no opposition testimony, but the measure was also held pending a quorum. Senator Ashby presented SB 568, the epinephrine in schools modernization act, to clarify and expand requirements for stocked epinephrine so they clearly apply to all public schools, including preschool programs. School nurses and medical experts said the bill would close gaps created by universal preschool and ensure life-saving treatment is available for anaphylaxis. The committee discussed dosing and implementation, and the bill was supported without opposition testimony. The committee also heard SB 414, the Charter School Accountability Act, which would strengthen fiscal oversight, audit standards, and transparency for charter schools and authorizers. Supporters said it responds to fraud and audit findings while preserving charter flexibility; opponents, including school employees and teachers, said it did not go far enough on authorizer accountability and small-district oversight. After discussion, the committee voted 7-0 to pass SB 414 as amended to Appropriations. The committee also briefly heard SB 743 by Senator Cortese, which would create an equalization reserve account to provide additional funding to underfunded school districts and reduce funding inequities tied to ZIP code. The author said the bill would support student achievement and teacher retention over time. The transcript cuts off before testimony or action on SB 743 was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members may recall that that is the bill that provided for the simplification and modernization of the
• school year all county boards be funded in a block grant in the amount of $6,100 per student and provides
• It also provides that funding for public charter schools is in the amount of $8,600 per student.
• The bill provides that, effective for the 2029-2030 school year, all school districts can request funding
• This bill provides that local fiscal bodies cannot obligate funds beyond a period of one year, except

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then took up several House bills with strike-and-insert amendments. House Bill 5510 was amended to incorporate provisions from Senate Bills 1065 and 928, modernizing Alcohol Beverage Control licensing and adding rules for low-proof spirit alcohol products, including a $1.25 per gallon tax; the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill to the full Senate with a do-pass recommendation. The committee then considered House Bill 5453 on school funding. After discussion of a proposed block-grant system and supplemental aid for special education, the committee adopted an amendment replacing much of the bill with weighted funding for level two and level three special education students, exempting those funds from block grant rules and limiting their use to direct instruction. The committee also adopted a clarification to extend the special education funding to charter school students and reported the amended bill to the Senate. House Bill 5412, dealing with multi-year technology licensing contracts for local fiscal bodies and science-of-reading training for K-5 teachers, was amended to clarify contract language, delay implementation dates, change “endorsement” to “training,” and require charter school teachers to participate; it was then reported. The committee next amended and reported House Bill 4006, which creates aerospace development and workforce grant programs, changing the funding mechanism to use Department of Commerce reporting and personal income tax proceeds rather than direct employee withholdings. It also took up House Bill 4009, combining voluntary portable benefits for independent contractors with microcredentialing and an expanded apprenticeship tax credit, adopted the Finance Committee amendment, and reported it. Finally, House Bill 4004 creating the Recharge West Virginia training reimbursement program was amended to raise the annual employer reimbursement cap from $50,000 to $100,000 while keeping the $10,000 per-employee limit, and the committee reported the bill. The meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> postsecondary degree or credential postsecondary degree or credential by<00:38:22.120><c> the</c
• </c><00:46:19.080><c> coverage</c> they contract from providing coverage they contract from providing
• </c> nursing, and adding credential nursing, and adding credential requirements. requirements. requirements
• </c><00:54:25.840><c> fair</c> strengthening our laws to provide fair strengthening our laws to provide
• </c><00:54:50.102><c> [clears throat]</c> that by providing [clears throat] that by providing [clears

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the next few minutes, we'll describe what we think is an issue and provide some background.
• Because of this, we've provided ranges here.
• And I believe it was during COVID, the National Science Foundation provided an opportunity for us to
• And I believe it was during COVID, the National Science Foundation provided an opportunity for us to
• Navy, and they provide fuel, ammunition, food—whatever they need—to troops around the world.

Summary: The Committee on Education Postsecondary heard a presentation on Florida’s maritime and ocean economy from Florida Atlantic University, the College of the Florida Keys, and Star Center. Speakers emphasized the importance of maritime industries such as aquaculture, marine engineering, shipbuilding, transportation, coastal resilience, and offshore renewable energy, and described workforce programs, certifications, and partnerships designed to train students and workers for these fields. They also highlighted federal and state initiatives supporting ocean economy research and commercialization, including tech hubs and innovation programs. The committee then considered SB 312 relating to the Florida Institute of Human and Machine Cognition. Senator Gates explained that the bill would allow IHMC to create a subsidiary to commercialize research, similar to Moffitt Cancer Center. Senator Fine offered and the committee adopted a friendly amendment addressing board membership concerns tied to a University of West Florida trustee. However, after questions arose about whether the bill and analysis aligned on whether subsidiaries would be for-profit or not-for-profit, the bill was tabled. Finally, the committee took up SB 270 on the Bright Futures Scholarship Program. The bill would extend eligibility for students in certain military/public-service family situations, giving families more time to establish Florida residency after returning to the state. Senator Fine’s amendment was adopted to add AP Capstone Diploma students to the automatic Bright Futures eligibility provisions, alongside IB and Cambridge AICE students. The committee then reported the bill favorably as amended by a vote of 7-0, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides jobs in our local communities, and our state colleges are outstanding in what they are doing
• So last year, there was a 4.4% increase in the number of credential completions of students at Florida
• We want to thank you for the funding levels that you have provided.
• I can give you a brief overview, and I can provide you with some more detailed information.
• They also have that post-secondary credential they earned.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of Health for pregnancy help centers providing health care services; to provide for definitions, standards
• health care providers in them?
• It already provides for the pregnancy centers to provide privacy protections for their clients.
• provide for eligibility requirements, to provide for practice limitations and supervision, to provide
• assistant advisory committee, to provide for legislative intent, to provide for definitions, to provide

Bills: HB611, HB897, HB902, HB931, HB1030, HB1092, HB1100, HB1118, HB1138, HB1143, HB1160, HB1185, HB1216

Keywords: pregnancy help centers, healthcare services, licensure, Department of Health, medical services, counseling, regulatory compliance, public health, healthcare data, privacy, pregnancy services, confidentiality, client rights, Louisiana Pregnancy and Baby Care Initiative, trauma-informed, child education, mental health, training program, adverse childhood events, religious instruction

Transcript Highlights:

• The school district shall provide the reasons for such non-renewal in writing within 10 business days
• If the employee requests it, the school district will provide the reasons for such non-renewal.
• This would provide another reason for an administrator to say, look, I wasn't treated fairly here.
• That creates a faster, more affordable path to a credential and ultimately a career. Thank you.
• And jobs as a result of this being providing a direction for them.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that the uh providers are um have that the uh providers are um have current<00:18:45.400><c> and</c><
• So we're not doing the credentialing; we're encouraging and keeping track if they go get credentialed
• there are many different credentials there are many different credentials<00:19:47.600><c> for</c><00
• who give the credentialing, yeah.
• </c><00:28:53.320><c> who</c> facility so slots among providers who facility so slots among providers

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a Division 3 budget work session focused on the Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Economic Stability. Karen Hebert, the division director, and Nathan White, DHHS chief financial officer, walked members through the governor’s operating budget pages and a briefing book, explaining that the division was consolidated in 2018 and serves programs aimed at financial stability, poverty reduction, child care access, and related supports. Members repeatedly asked for clearer breakdowns of general fund spending, historical growth since consolidation, and how the division’s broad mission areas map onto specific budget lines. A major portion of the discussion centered on the Bureau of Child Development and Head Start collaboration and the child care subsidy program. Hebert said the child care scholarship/subsidy helps low- and moderate-income families access daycare so parents can work, attend school, or receive treatment, and that eligibility is based on state median income up to 85%. She reported a 45% increase in utilization, 4,032 children receiving daycare support as of the end of January, and about 15% of eligible children being served. She also described the quality improvement system “Granite Steps for Quality,” with 160 providers enrolled out of 717 licensed programs, and noted that 1,200 child care professionals added credentials in the last year. Members pressed for cost-benefit information, asking for data on how much the state pays, how many providers and children are served, and whether the department could quantify unmet need. The witnesses said some projects were funded with short-term ARPA child care dollars and that detailed cost data for specific examples, such as the Gorm Community Learning Center expansion, would need to be looked up. They also explained that the child care fund is a federal block grant with required spending set-asides of 9% for quality, 3% for infants and toddlers, and up to 5% for administration, and that unused funds remain available. The committee also reviewed slide 10’s accounting units, including that the Child Care Workforce Fund is 100% general funds and was created as a priority item under HB 2 from the 2024 session, while some other child care-related units are 100% federal funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• Public comment may be provided only at the designated time and place as permitted by the chair.
• They provide a full special education program.
• Would you like to provide any clarification on that as well?
• I think Darlene Al-Kiza is here to provide some further insight.
• They provide transportation services and are even employed as paraeducators.

Keywords: 988, house, all