Transcript Highlights:

• They are part of our searchable engine on Get There.
• They are part of our searchable engine on Get There.
• So you've got folks that are in different manufacturing, engineering technology.
• We're starting a professional nursing, our LPN and RN bridge program.
• We will address this because we are the workforce engine of the state.

Summary: The Education Postsecondary Committee met to hear an overview of Florida career and technical education (CTE) from Chancellor Kevin O’Farrell and presentations from Big Bend Technical College and Santa Fe College. O’Farrell described Florida’s CTE structure, including career clusters, postsecondary program types, enrollment and completion growth, apprenticeship expansion, and the state’s credentials review process. He said postsecondary CTE enrollment is near 480,000 students and completions reached a record 76,806, with strong growth in nursing, law enforcement, EMT, and other public-safety credentials. He also discussed the CTE audit, which uses retention/success, employment or continued education, and labor-market demand metrics; programs not meeting thresholds would eventually require phase-out plans beginning in 2026. He highlighted the workforce development capitalization grant as a major driver of program expansion and facility renovation, and answered questions about business outreach, construction trades, apprenticeships, and space-industry training. Shelby McCall of Big Bend Technical College described how the college responded to hurricanes, mill closures, and regional economic disruption by expanding rural workforce training. She highlighted aluminum welding, millwright, welding technology, health sciences, and a new advanced manufacturing facility funded by state grants and local partnerships, along with a new LPN-to-RN bridge program. She said the college has strong placement and certification results and is working with employers such as Lippert, NAMO, and others to align training with local demand. Senator Simon praised the college’s role in Taylor County’s recovery and workforce development. Dr. Paul Brody of Santa Fe College said state workforce grants have helped the college expand nursing, skilled trades, apprenticeship, automotive, diesel, and manufacturing programs, including partnerships with Bradford County Technical College, UF Health, Habitat for Humanity, and local employers. He reported growth in CTE enrollment, nursing credentials, apprenticeship enrollment, and job placement rates, and described new efforts in semiconductor training, CDL training, and a charter school model that combines high school, an AS degree, and industry credentials. The committee took no formal action beyond hearing the presentations and adjourned after Senator Berman moved to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bring them on the spot to engineers, architects, contractors that are all coming in.
• Depending on what their engineers recommend they need to do.
• ... engineering project on this.
• So that's about 2,500 different professionals. engage in the water world.
• It runs the agricultural engine.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• health expertise, and engineering health expertise, and engineering judgment<00:05:15.440> so
• So, I really appreciate this, and the county engineers and the city engineers were great partners in
• <01:18:36.000> were engineers and the city engineers were engineers and the city engineers
• So, I really appreciate this, and the county engineers and the city engineers were great partners in
• professional opinion. professional opinion.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it doesn't matter whether the FTE is enrolled in English or engineering.
• for the professional programs, but for the graduate and undergraduate, that's correct.
• And I can give an example that I've calculated on some of the professional doctorates.
• For professional students, they do get, their FTE is one because of how the coursework is offered.
• So professional programs like pharmacy, law, those students, FTE and head count would be the same.

Summary: The Higher Ed Funding Committee met to review how North Dakota might identify and address low-producing academic programs and to discuss draft funding formulas for the university system. Lisa Johnson of the NDUS explained that the State Board of Higher Education is already developing a system-wide policy, using models from other states such as Texas, Virginia, North Carolina, Colorado, Kentucky, Ohio, and Connecticut. She described how low-producing programs are typically flagged by multi-year enrollment or completion thresholds, then reviewed for workforce demand, mission fit, cost, accreditation, and regional need before any action is taken. Committee members asked about what counts as a program, how costs are analyzed, whether certificates are included, how exemptions work for mission-critical or high-demand fields, and whether the board or legislature should set the rules. Johnson said the board is the appropriate body to lead the process, but legislators could use funding leverage if they wanted to encourage action; the chair asked the board to bring a detailed proposal to the June meeting. The committee then heard a Legislative Council presentation on a draft formula for UND and NDSU. The proposal uses fall census FTE enrollment, with a placeholder undergraduate rate of $7,000 per FTE and a graduate/professional rate of $10,500, plus incentives for completions in in-demand fields and research productivity. Alex from Legislative Council walked through the projected funding effects, noting that the model would increase funding for NDSU and reduce it for UND in the current biennium, with different results in the next biennium as enrollment changes are recognized. Members questioned the use of the placeholder rates, the definition of in-demand programs, the treatment of research funding, and the exclusion of state-appropriated dollars from the external grants calculation. The chair emphasized that the numbers were illustrative and that appropriators would set the actual dollar amounts later. A second draft formula for the other nine institutions was also reviewed. That model uses fall census FTE without a weighted economic factor, applies a higher undergraduate rate, and adds completion incentives for in-demand credentials and all other completions. Members noted that the formula would benefit some institutions, such as Bismarck State College, while reducing funding for others, such as Mayville State, and discussed whether the nine institutions should be treated more uniformly or split into smaller groups because of their different missions and sizes. Committee members and staff repeatedly stressed that the formulas are still being refined and that some institutions would likely need hold-harmless adjustments or other transition measures. The meeting ended with the chair directing the committee to continue the discussion later and to expect further work on both the low-producing program policy and the funding formulas.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, the board is requesting an FTE for a dam safety engineer in the field for that.
• And that's why 90% of our annual budget supports personnel costs for professional educators and staff
• We can do the exact same thing with the single engine air tankers and the crop dusters.
• Hiring for vacant professional staff positions has taken over 200 recruitment days on average, which
• Without additional funding for our professional staff, we won't be able to fill positions we need to

Bills: HB294

Keywords: energy efficiency, tax exemption, residential properties, sustainability, real estate

Transcript Highlights:

• My wife is an industrial engineer, and I was a part of her drilling for her engineering training and
• her professional engineering tests, because I got to help prepare that.
• and her engineering training and her professional<00:56:17.000> engineering<00:56:18.000>
• uh<00:56:18.480> tests professional engineering uh tests professional engineering uh tests
• <01:15:22.120> employees Association of professional employees Association of professional

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met on February 11 and began with introductions from members and staff, who shared brief personal and district facts. Chair Jim Nash then outlined the committee’s goals for the session, emphasizing bipartisan cooperation, the need to address a looming structural deficit, and the committee’s role in moving legislation forward. The committee also reviewed its rules for the year. The main item was House File 3, authored by Chair Nash and referred to Ways and Means. The bill would require the Office of the Legislative Auditor to produce an annual report tracking whether agencies have implemented prior audit and evaluation recommendations, with the goal of improving internal controls, transparency, and accountability and helping legislators make funding decisions. Nash described the bill as a preventative measure to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse, and said it was modeled in part on practices used in Colorado. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall testified that the office already produces similar update reports but lacks resources to independently verify many agency responses; she said the bill would provide a framework for more regular reporting and discussion, not a “shame tool.” Ranna Lee of Americans for Prosperity testified in support, saying the bill would increase accountability and transparency for how public agencies manage taxpayer resources. A letter from the Minnesota Council on Nonprofits was also noted in support. Representative Clardy offered the A7 amendment to add an appropriation matching the fiscal note; Nash accepted it, saying savings could be found later in the process. The committee approved the A7 amendment by voice vote. During discussion, Representative Quam supported the bill’s focus on accountability, and Representative Freiberg questioned the Legislative Auditor about the office’s expertise on a specific ambulance-services recommendation in the report. Randall responded that the office’s staff are policy research generalists who use standards, best practices, interviews, surveys, and site visits to develop recommendations, and that the goal is to prompt further discussion rather than require blind acceptance. The transcript ends during that exchange, with no final committee vote on House File 3 shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'd say a lot of mutual domestics have engineers and other contractors that are part of their team
• You'll often see one or two, maybe three engineers at the table representing 10 or 15 different projects
• So we'll see some of those engineers several times in one day.
• We've partnered with engineering groups and specialized groups to bring affordable systems to these very
• It's going to be a preliminary engineering report or some sort of technical memorandum.

Transcript Highlights:

• which is Representative Paul's bill that we previously voted out relating to the renewal of an engineering
• that we previously voted out relating to the regulation of land surveyors by the Texas Board of Professional
• Engineers and Land Surveyors.
• Uh, SB 1254 men's current statute relating to regulation of professional employer services.
• Professional employer organizations provide critical human resource services such as payroll benefit

Transcript Highlights:

• It's individuals getting paid experience and professional credentials in schools gaining committed well
• I asked them about workforce and and no, you know, do you have the people and engineering comes up?
• University of Central Florida, number one provider of engineers to defense and aerospace United States
• And they're like up with we've got all the engineers, Renee, what we need is technicians.
• As a professional nerd.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a true workforce engine, offering over 100 programs that meet the needs of today's economy.
• And as a national leader in engineering, health care, cybersecurity, and the humanities, based on all
• No, in all seriousness, your background precedes you—your educational and professional background.
• On the professional side, we worked and have worked very closely with FGCU, our nursing programs, our
• Now that my own children are no longer small and I've sort of reached my professional stride, I have

Summary: The committee heard and voted on two higher education bills before moving to a long series of university and college board appointment confirmations. CS/SB 742 would let charter schools directly access the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program for career and technical education programs tied to industry certifications, and would expand the money-back guarantee requirement from three to six programs at career centers and Florida College System institutions. A question was raised about whether the charter school access could reduce district funding or grant availability; the sponsor said it could, depending on available funds. The bill was supported by one appearance form and was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 892, which codifies the Florida State University Election Law Center so it can continue and receive recurring funding. The sponsor and FSU witnesses said the center is nonpartisan and focused on evidence-based research, especially on election administration issues related to natural disasters and public confidence in elections. After testimony and questions, including about the center’s scope and funding, the bill was reported favorably. The remainder of the meeting consisted of testimony from numerous appointees to boards of trustees for state colleges and universities, including Tallahassee State College, Valencia College, New College, Pensacola State College, Florida Gulf Coast University, University of North Florida, St. Johns River State College, Palm Beach State College, Santa Fe College, Daytona State College, and Florida Atlantic University. Most nominees emphasized their personal ties to the institutions, support for workforce education, student success, and local economic development. Several highlighted priorities such as keeping tuition affordable, expanding internships and career pathways, strengthening nursing and other workforce programs, and improving graduation and retention rates. Some appointees also described campus-specific goals, including research growth at FAU and Harbor Branch, community engagement at New College, and continued support for health care workforce partnerships at FGCU. The most notable exchange came during testimony from Dr. Joel Rudman for the Pensacola State College board, where Senator Leek questioned him extensively about prior public comments that appeared to reference threats and drug testing legislators. Rudman said his remarks were aimed at Florida House members and not the Senate, denied any knowledge of illicit drug use by current or former senators, and said he was speaking candidly as a private citizen. Public testimony on his nomination included both support and strong opposition, with one speaker praising his community service and another warning about his alleged disruptive behavior and social media posts. The committee also heard from several supporters and appointees who were not questioned further, and the meeting ended with plans to vote on the appointments after all testimony was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do need a consultant, an engineering help developing that full application.
• willing to work hand-in-hand, not just with the communities, but with their consultant, with their engineers
• The Office of Water is authorized for 461 employees and we employ professional engineers. engineers,
• Texans relying on the Rio Grande for drinking water. are also critical for agriculture, an economic engine
• In your opinion, professional opinion...

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But it does, mental health professional.
• Director of the Office of Professional Director of the Office of Professional Regulation,<00:22:
• trades and professional apprenticeships. trades and professional apprenticeships.
• They do have an engineer who's going to start in June of 2026.
• They do have an engineer who's going to start in June of 2026.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And with me today is Matt Kremens, director of the California-Nevada Conference of Operating Engineers
• Matt Kremens here on behalf of the California-Nevada Conference of Operating Engineers.
• Matt Kremens here on behalf of the California Nevada Conference of Operating Engineers.
• Mitch Steiger with CFT, a union of educators and classified professionals, also in support.
• Mitch Steiger with CFT, a union of educators and classified professionals also in support.

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee met on March 19, 2025, adopted its rules, and approved the consent calendar before hearing several bills. AB 538, by Assemblymember Berman, would require awarding bodies on public works projects to make a timely attempt to obtain certified payroll records from contractors when the public requests them, rather than simply saying they do not have the records. Supporters said it would clarify existing prevailing wage enforcement; county, city, special district, and housing groups opposed it over workload, privacy, and potential funding risks. The bill passed the committee on a do-pass recommendation to Appropriations. The committee then heard AB 485, authored by Chair Ortega, which would direct state agencies to deny or renew business licenses for employers with outstanding wage theft judgments unless the judgments are satisfied or bonded. Supporters, including labor groups and a caregiver who described delayed recovery of unpaid wages, said the bill would give workers meaningful leverage to collect judgments. The California Hospital Association opposed it, warning that license action could threaten patient access to care. The bill passed on a do-pass recommendation to Appropriations. AB 596, by Assemblymember McKinnor, would codify workers’ right to wear a face covering or respirator at work unless it creates a direct safety hazard. Supporters said the measure would protect workers from illness, wildfire smoke, and employer restrictions after prior Cal/OSHA protections expired; the Chamber of Commerce opposed it narrowly, asking for an exception where masks are infeasible for certain tasks. The committee supported the bill and sent it to Appropriations. The hearing concluded with the roll kept open for absent members and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas laboratories foster a culture of collaboration, bringing together scientists engineers and
• educational programs and initiatives, inspiring and supporting the next generation of scientists and engineers
• Air Force officer since 1996, he holds a master's degree and a doctorate in material science and engineering
• relating to public schools, allowing up to 60 instructional hours per school year to be used for professional
• It is an act relating to professional licensure, enacting the psychology interjurisdictional compact.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you're using an engineer, it's probably gonna be twice as much.
• I'm not an engineer, so I don't want engineers to beat me up here, but, um, it puts it into that mapping
• I'm also a licensed professional engineer in the state of Texas as well, um.
• I mean, as a, as you know, as a professional engineer, our, our goal, public safety, health and welfare
• Uh, the assistant, uh, engineer there, Rick Stagley, I think is his name, he participated.

Bills: HB206

Keywords: HB206, school district bonds, bond election, voter approval, Education Code, Chapter 45, Section 45.003, Section 45.0034, Texas schools, school finance, local tax election, bond referendum, school construction, capital improvements, election frequency, five-year waiting period, district bonds, public school funding

Transcript Highlights:

• collaborate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, dentists, podiatrists, and other qualified health care professionals
• He is from the University of Arizona and from Tucson, has a BS in mining engineering, and is currently
• University of Arizona, and he's from Tucson, has a BS in mining engineering, and is currently in the
• HB 2637, School Districts Education; HB 2638, School Mental Health Professional Education and Appropriation
• cash assistance, 2562 appropriation housing assistance, 2563 auxiliary containers, 2564 health professionals

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior day’s journal, and recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. John Lynch of Legislative District 12. Members also introduced a number of guests and visiting groups, including Arizona electric co-op representatives, March of Dimes advocates, CRNAs, AEA retirees, a University of Arizona legislative fellow, and other constituents and visitors in the gallery. The chamber then handled routine floor business: attendance was recorded at 58 present, one absent, and one excused; committee substitutions were announced; HB 2677 was removed from the Judiciary Committee and additionally referred to Public Safety and Law Enforcement; and a large slate of House bills and one concurrent resolution were first read and referred to committees. The clerk also read a lengthy list of bills on second reading, covering a wide range of topics including education, health care, housing, taxation, elections, water, labor, public safety, and other policy areas. No substantive debate or votes on legislation occurred during the floor session beyond the referral actions and procedural announcements. Members made announcements about upcoming blood donations, a Veterans Caucus coffee and donuts event, and several committee meetings scheduled for later in the day or the following day. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn until 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 22, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Qualcomm in San Diego relies on engineering talent in Tijuana to stay competitive globally.
• The Qualcomm engineers in Tijuana, the Mattel toys made in Monterey, the one million California jobs
• like engineers...
• It's the standard TN visa, allowing qualified professionals like engineers and scientists from Canada
• Trade flows continue to grow rapidly, and it's an engine for our bi-national region. It's also...

Summary: The joint hearing of the Assembly Select Committee on California-Mexico Bi-National Affairs and the Assembly Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Committee focused on the USMCA and how the agreement affects California’s economy, jobs, supply chains, and competitiveness. Opening remarks emphasized California’s heavy trade dependence on Mexico and Canada, the importance of stable trade rules, and concerns that tariffs or uncertainty could harm workers, small businesses, agriculture, logistics, manufacturing, and border communities. Members said the hearing would help inform a future legislative report or resolution on California’s priorities for the agreement’s review. Academic and policy witnesses argued that the USMCA is central to North American economic integration and California’s role in it. Testimony from UC San Diego and CETYS University described California and Mexico as co-producers rather than simple trading partners, highlighting sectors such as medical devices, aerospace, semiconductors, logistics, and advanced manufacturing. Witnesses also warned that the upcoming review could involve not just trade but security and immigration issues, and they urged a stronger, longer-term agreement with more certainty, better border efficiency, and new tools such as specialized technician visas, binational certification standards, innovation zones, and a technology fund. Go-Biz and chamber representatives said USMCA provides predictability, market access, and support for small and medium-sized businesses, while also creating compliance burdens through rules of origin, labor standards, and customs procedures. They pointed to California’s trade missions, export support programs, and state-level cooperation with Mexico and Canada as ways to help firms participate in regional supply chains. Mexican government and business representatives said the agreement is largely functioning well, that Mexico’s public consultation process received nearly 800 submissions and about 2,000 chapter-specific comments, and that many stakeholders favor maintaining or extending USMCA. No formal votes were taken; the committee heard testimony and asked witnesses for follow-up information to inform its report and future recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• And even within those counties, there can be rural areas or professional shortage areas.
• And even within those urban counties, there can be rural areas or professional shortage areas.
• And then $1 million to the State Engineer for weather modification.
• There was a number of additions in the area of the state engineer, which begins online 127, including
• And then a million dollars to the state engineer for weather modification.

Bills: SB193, SB132, SB35, SB145

Keywords: SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects, SB132, DOIT, Department of Information Technology, software replacement, equipment replacement

Transcript Highlights:

• ultimate choice was for the construction to be under East Harding Construction, and the design professional
• ultimate choice was for the construction to be under East Harding Construction, and the design professional
• the RFQs is with Disability Determination for Social Security Administration, and this is for a professional
• And with this year, you're looking at the engine hot section, so that's why the number is so high.
• Both engines or just one? Both engines.

Summary: The ALC-Review Subcommittee reviewed seven methods of finance, including university projects at ASU Jonesboro and Mountain Home, Black River Technical College deferred maintenance, UA Batesville’s Farm Project Gateway Center, UAMS PET cyclotron equipment, a new allied health building at UAPB funded by a federal grant, and UCA’s multi-purpose arena design work. The committee also approved an alternative delivery construction project for UAPB’s Allied Health and Sciences Building, with East Harding Construction selected and AMR Architects as designer. Members then approved discretionary grants from the Department of Health and DHS, including support for a heart attack center designation, community health worker training, homeless services funding corrections, behavioral health transition support, and an enabling technology pilot. In the contracts section, the committee reviewed RFQs, construction-related contracts, intergovernmental contracts, and a large slate of out-of-state and in-state contracts covering topics such as seatbelt survey data collection, Medicaid and DHS systems, state hospital staffing and services, veterans’ services, education assessments, and state IT and procurement projects. Several contracts drew extended questioning. Senators and representatives pressed DHS and the Department of Veterans Affairs about heavy reliance on contract nursing and staffing costs, and officials said they were using pay incentives and recruitment efforts to increase state employee staffing. Members also questioned AEDC’s lithium supply chain study and the Department of Education’s security contract, with concerns about projected costs and repeated amendments. The committee held three in-state contracts—Department of Education security services and two DHS staffing contracts—until Friday, then adopted the remaining contracts and received informational reports on contract amendments, executed contracts, and emergency procurements before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• The professionals involved in these easement transactions will have to—there'll be a need for more of
• those professionals.
• I served as the New Mexico State Engineer for two and a half years prior to our current state engineer
• And Mike Hammond, who was a farmer-state engineer, really called me early about this bill and said, Susan
• And again, we have a lot of professionals in the state who this is what they do.

Bills: HB186, HB92, HJM1

Keywords: tax credit, land conservation, biodiversity, agricultural preservation, historic preservation, natural resources, open space, tax exemption, Social Security, income, retirement, financial relief, Taiwan, trade, technology, education, international relations, economic partnership, New Mexico, United States