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• We feel higher ed is better at deciding what a quality postsecondary credential is.
• We actually have a unit in our office called, um, that does register industry credentials.

Bills: SB79, HB379, SB253, HB278, HB438, HB233, SB79, HB379, SB253, HB278, HB438, HB233

Keywords: sex-based terminology, gender identity, male, female, man, woman, boy, girl, single-sex spaces, women's rights, privacy, safety, fairness, anti-discrimination, vital statistics, birth certificate, intersex, DSD, differences in sex development, transgender

Transcript Highlights:

• an internship and graduate, what are the, I guess, so to speak, incentives, any type of credit, credentials
• Any type of credit, credentials, work-based learning, accolades, whatnot, what would that be?

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The House Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee met with a quorum and first addressed a point of order over whether HB 270 could be heard after being taken up earlier in the Transportation Committee. The chair ruled the bill could proceed because it was assigned to this committee and had been properly noticed. The committee then heard HB 280, which would create a three-year pilot program to support paid student internships through grants administered by the Department of Workforce Solutions. Supporters said the bill would help fund internships, mentoring, and transportation, and could improve workforce development, graduation outcomes, and pathways into apprenticeships or higher education. Members asked about administrative costs, student selection, rural and tribal access, payment mechanisms, and whether public entities, land grants, and dual credit could be included. The bill sponsor and witnesses said the program would likely serve about 100 students, use a sliding-scale matching model, and allow local flexibility in program design. The committee voted due pass on HB 280. The committee then heard House Memorial 46, honoring the Hurley family and especially Major General Patrick Hurley and his son Wilson Hurley for military service and artistic contributions in New Mexico. The memorial was presented as a tribute to a family of heroes, and members expressed support. The committee voted due pass on the memorial. Finally, the committee heard HB 270, which would amend the Public Works Apprentice and Training Act to require contributions to apprenticeship and training programs on most public works projects, including road and utility work, while exempting trades without approved programs. Sponsors said the bill would close loopholes, broaden participation, and strengthen the workforce pipeline. Opposition came from asphalt, contractor, and utility groups, which argued the bill would raise costs, duplicate existing training programs, and create access problems for nonunion and geographically distant contractors. Supporters from mechanical contractors, building trades, and labor groups said the bill would improve workforce development and keep training dollars in New Mexico. After debate over the earlier Transportation Committee action and the bill’s cost impacts, the committee voted due pass on HB 270 by a 5-3 roll call.

Transcript Highlights:

• would reduce risk to soldiers in dangerous mission areas by keeping them trained, qualified, and credentialed
• soldiers operating in these dangerous mission areas by ensuring they stay trained and qualified and credential

Bills: S0048

Keywords: housing, accessory dwelling units, affordable housing, local government, zoning regulations, military families, density bonus, homeownership, property taxes

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard presentations on the Governor’s recommended budget for fiscal year 2026-27 and then considered one bill, CS/SB 48 on accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The Governor’s office outlined a $117.4 billion overall budget, with transportation and economic development receiving about $18 billion statewide and $601 million in general revenue. Agency heads then presented priorities for Commerce, Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Military Affairs, State, Transportation, Emergency Management, and the Florida State Guard, emphasizing workforce development, housing, tourism marketing, aviation and space infrastructure, law enforcement recruitment, emergency preparedness, and military readiness. In the Commerce presentation, Secretary Kelly highlighted funding for housing programs, the Hometown Heroes program, the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, rural infrastructure and workforce grants, Reconnect and Florida WINS systems, law enforcement and firefighter recruitment bonuses, defense support, Visit Florida, Space Florida, and SelectFlorida. Senators asked about Visit Florida’s private match requirements and whether the agency fully leveraged prior appropriations; Visit Florida’s CEO said the match was met and exceeded, though it is difficult but important. The Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles presentation focused on trooper pay, pursuit vehicles, aviation assets, and enterprise data systems, with questions about immigration enforcement and body cameras. Military Affairs requested funding for readiness centers, training facilities, education and health benefits for Guardsmen, and maintenance of existing armories; members discussed Guard deployments, staffing levels, and a proposed firing range project. The Department of State requested funds for automated election audits, a conservation lab, and historic preservation, and defended its arts grant process and rule changes. Transportation’s budget emphasized a $14.3 billion work program, road and bridge maintenance, aviation and aerospace, safety initiatives, and seaport investments, while Emergency Management requested funding for preparedness, flood mitigation, WebEOC, grants management, and alert systems; senators also asked about the Alligator Alcatraz detention facility. For CS/SB 48, Senator Gates explained that the bill would require local governments to allow property owners to voluntarily create ADUs, while preserving local authority over setbacks, construction, and permitting. An amendment removed reusable tenant screening reports and clarified that conforming ADUs would be allowed by right without a separate hearing. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association supported the bill, saying ADUs could help provide long-term housing for service workers. After questions about local government and HOA authority, the committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS/SB 48 favorably by roll call vote.

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• career paths, expanding work-based learning. opportunities and meaningfully recognized industry credentials
• Adjunct faculty possess the same credentials as their full-time colleagues, teach at all levels of their

Keywords: 996, all

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• We do use a tiered credentialing system.
• for and pass the certification exams and also whether there's opportunities to expand the tiered credentialing

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• purposes, customers registering a vehicle will be required to provide either a REAL ID-compliant credential
• And as an aside, currently 99% of the 20 million, over 20 million, Florida credentials are REAL ID-compliant

Summary: The committee held a panel discussion on micro-mobility device regulation and enforcement, focusing on e-bikes and e-scooters. Sheriff Robert Hardwick and Chief Jamie Cruz described serious injuries involving children, including crashes at high speeds, and argued that current law is outdated because it folds e-bikes into the bicycle statute. They urged a separate statewide framework with clearer age limits, licensing or training requirements, helmet rules, and penalties for modifying devices to go faster. Both also emphasized that parents should bear responsibility and that enforcement should include education, progressive discipline, and, if needed, civil citations. FDOT District 6 Secretary Daniel Iglesias and DHSMV representative Lonnie Groner said their agencies are prioritizing education, outreach, and better data collection. They noted that micromobility devices are increasingly common, create safety and accessibility issues on sidewalks and shared-use paths, and are difficult to track because crash reports often do not identify them consistently. Members discussed whether motorized devices should be barred from sidewalks, whether riders should be licensed and insured, and how enforcement could be made uniform statewide. The panel also said manufacturers have not been meaningfully engaged and that local approaches vary widely. The committee then heard 2026 legislative priorities from FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue and DHSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner. Perdue outlined FDOT’s large five-year work program, ongoing congestion-relief projects, investments in ports, airports, rail, workforce, heavy equipment, facilities, and cybersecurity, and the need to do more with flat revenues. Kerner summarized DHSMV’s agency bill priorities, including requiring a Florida address and proof of residence for vehicle registration, updating identification requirements, aligning tank vehicle and motor carrier rules with federal standards, improving IFTA administration, raising the crash-report damage threshold, and allowing electronic notices. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• offers a committee substitute, members this bill relates to measures to encourage the earning of credentials
• for multiple... avenues of job creation that actually has the potential for or stackable kind of credentials

Bills: HB232

Keywords: disaster recovery, natural disaster, weather disaster, emergency relief, flood relief, hurricane relief, storm damage, wildfire, tornado, hail, windstorm, extreme heat, ice storm, snowstorm, property damage, personal injury, temporary housing, relocation assistance, lost wages, state emergency management

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this bill relates to measures to encourage the earning of credentials of value at public institutions
• multiple Avenues of job creation, uh, that actually has the potential for, uh, stackable kind of credentials

Bills: HB232

Keywords: disaster recovery, natural disaster, weather disaster, emergency relief, flood relief, hurricane relief, storm damage, wildfire, tornado, hail, windstorm, extreme heat, ice storm, snowstorm, property damage, personal injury, temporary housing, relocation assistance, lost wages, state emergency management

Transcript Highlights:

• offers a committee substitute, members this bill relates to measures to encourage the earning of credentials
• opportunity for multiple... avenues of job creation that actually has the potential for stackable kind of credentials

Bills: HB1784, HB2088, HB3062, HB3475, HB3741, HB4279, HB4763, HB5154, HB5294, HB5508, SB1401, HB232, HB232

Keywords: students, homeless, foster care, higher education, liaison officer, housing assistance, transition support, law school, Rio Grande Valley, legal education, public university, accreditation, fentanyl prevention, drug poisoning awareness, mental health resources, substance abuse education, El Paso, university system, funding, public education

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• The fact that all drivers operating under the license will have adequate credentials for the transportation
• For failure to ensure that drivers have adequate credentials, it allows for a motor fuel transporter's

Bills: SB2199, SB2200, SB2201, SB2949, SB2332

Keywords: overweight vehicle, vehicle weight limits, hazardous materials, hazmat, cargo tank, fuel transport, trucking, commercial vehicle, Transportation Code, criminal penalty, second-degree felony, loading violation, truck weight, axle weight, gross weight, public safety, commercial carrier, Texas, commercial truck, truck route

Transcript Highlights:

• Essentially it clarifies that they need to obtain a high school diploma or a high school equivalency credential
• Uh, originally had just high school equivalency credential, which meant that if they went to high school

Transcript Highlights:

• Alex's mom, when he went to apply after he walked across the stage and got his credentials, he went to
• they're already enrolled, what they're able to provide, if the teachers, for example, are actually credentialed

Summary: The Student Academic Success Subcommittee met with a quorum and heard four bills, all of which were reported favorably by unanimous votes. The chair opened with remarks about student performance and assessment, then the committee took up House Bill 1111 by Rep. Valdes, which would eliminate the certificate of completion for students who do not meet standard high school graduation requirements. Supporters argued the certificate is a meaningless “participation trophy” that can mislead students and families, while the sponsor said students would instead be pushed toward additional support, concordance testing, or other pathways to a standard diploma. Members raised questions about effects on ESE students, timing, and alternative pathways; the bill passed 17-0. The committee next approved House Bill 921 by Rep. Overdorf, which adds cursive writing instruction for grades 2 through 5 and defines cursive proficiency. The sponsor and supporters said cursive has historical, cognitive, and fine-motor benefits and helps students read signatures and historical documents. The bill also passed 17-0. After a brief recognition of visiting students, the committee heard House Bill 423 by Rep. Bartleman, which requires private schools participating in the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program to give parents written notice about which services in an IEP, 504 plan, ELL plan, or similar plan will be honored. Supporters framed it as a transparency and consumer-protection measure for families, especially those with children with disabilities; the sponsor emphasized it does not require private schools to provide specific services, only to disclose them. The bill passed 17-0. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 251 by Rep. Tendrich, which would recognize January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida. The sponsor and public witnesses described rising antisemitism, the importance of remembrance, and the need for education about the Holocaust. Members from both parties shared personal reflections and support, and a survivor’s letter was read into the record. The bill passed 16-0. At the end of the meeting, the chair noted the committee had gone four-for-four on unanimous support and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• agencies, including our peer agencies, PUC and OAG, and we're now at about 10% deficit for similarly credentialed
• Because if you, if you put us on a graph against people who have the same credentials at PUC, for example

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• typically the S and faculty will need a higher level of education or preparation and additional credentials
• They have to be appropriately credentialed, which is difficult as well because the to have either a master's

Keywords: 999, senate, all

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• Not only someone with those credentials, but also those credentials that fit, you know, the right political

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• ALL OF THOSE CREDENTIAL PROFESSIONALS WOULD BE THE ONES THAT AND CHARGED WITH ENFORCING THAT THOSE PEOPLE
• THE PART THAT HAS A $ BEHIND IT, COULD BE DONE BY SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT HAVE THOSE PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Um, the secretary mentioned your credentials and your certifications, and I was just wondering if
• The secretary mentioned your credentials and your certifications, and I was just wondering if you could
• But the biggest piece that this bill does is it addresses professional development and credentialing
• But the biggest piece that this bill does is it addresses professional development and credentialing
• I applaud you on your accomplishments and, uh, your credentials.

Bills: HB0023, HB0024, HB0025

Keywords: extracurricular activities, public school participation, enrollment, Wyoming, student access, charter schools, application process, authorizers, public hearing, community support, scholarship, education, eligibility, continuous enrollment, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 36.760> with The program would provide access to prepare for admissions exams, licensure credentials
• Admission Test, professional exams for nursing, teaching, real estate, Securities Law and Industry credentials
• During this period, 67 participants completed credential or certificate training, and 107 secured employment
• During this period, 67 participants completed credential or certificate training, and 107 secured employment
• <00:45:21.880> to<00:45:22.000> our During this period, 67 participants completed credential

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

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• Cloud Technical and Community College with a stackable credential and pursue their EMT or paramedic credential
• and Community College with a Technical and Community College with a stackable<00:46:11.040> credential
• They see that there's a lot of opportunities, with a 99% job placement rate after they earn their credential
• placement rate after they earned 99% job placement rate after they earned their<00:47:45.119> credential
• here um what's not to their credential here um what's not to love<00:47:47.920> right<00:47:48.119

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are also funding expansions for career and technical education and our workforce credentialing programs
• She entered a short-term credentialing program to become an LNA at NHTI, and after passing the licensing
• community she entered<00:29:47.840> a<00:29:48.039> short-term<00:29:48.679> credentialing
• entered a short-term credentialing entered a short-term credentialing program<00:29:50.240> to
• Investing in these opportunities for students to learn a trade or get credentialed in a high-demand field

Keywords: 1189, house, all