Video & Transcript : 'cistern program' :
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NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Fiscal Committee (02/21/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> the children's health insurance program the children's health insurance program is<00:23:12.600>
- </c><00:23:17.960><c> or</c> kids that didn't fall off the program or kids that didn't fall off the program
- health insurance program and children's health insurance program and for<00:23:50.000><c> the</c><00:
- </c><00:23:59.679><c> it</c> children's health insurance program it children's health insurance program
- We budgeted in the entirety of the Medicaid Managed Care Program.
Summary:
The Fiscal Committee met on February 21 and first approved the January 30 minutes and the consent calendar, with item 2540 removed by the Department of Education and item 25057 set aside for discussion. The committee then took up FIS 25057, a Department of Transportation request tied to a federal grant for building information modeling and related data standardization across DOT systems. Transportation officials explained that the $2.405 million consultant-heavy request would connect surveying, design, construction, and asset management systems, improve efficiency and long-term asset tracking, and help the department catch up with other states. Several senators questioned the lack of immediate, quantifiable budget savings and the reliance on consultants, but the item was ultimately adopted.
The committee next approved FIS 25054 for the Department of Health and Human Services after questioning a $16 million shortfall in the Children’s Health Insurance Program. DHHS explained the variance as a budgeting and accounting issue tied to separating CHIP from Medicaid managed care, pandemic-era continuous enrollment, and the new federal requirement for 12 months of continuous coverage for children. Members also approved a Cannon Mountain fee item, where park officials described a proposed price freeze for early-bird passes, a new in-season tier, and modest increases in off-season pricing, while noting operating cost pressures, strong snow conditions, and favorable customer value ratings. That item was adopted unanimously.
The committee also approved the Department of Corrections item after discussion of staffing, retirement eligibility, overtime, and recidivism. Commissioner Helen Hanks said retirement-eligible staff had declined slightly, recruitment was improving, overtime hours were down, one housing floor had been closed because of lower population, and the department had reduced reincarceration by 8% over seven years, which she said produced substantial savings. The item was adopted.
During informational items, the committee heard a Legislative Budget Assistant performance audit of the New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights. The audit found the commission inefficient and ineffective in processing complaints, with average case closure taking 840 days, significant backlogs dating back decades, expired administrative rules, weak management controls, disorganized and outdated procedures, unreliable data, and unresolved prior audit findings. The audit included 25 recommendations, two of which may require legislative action. Commission staff said they appreciated the recommendations and expected the additional resources from the prior budget cycle to help address the backlog and improve transparency and efficiency.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Committee of Conference on HB 1, HB 2 (06/16/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- that program.
- </c><06:26:23.440><c> and</c> prevention and treatment program and prevention and treatment program and
- And there are multiple programs, so it's not just enriching one program.
- . program. program.
- program in establishing a residency program in rural<06:47:47.440><c> areas</c><06:47:47.680><c> and
Summary:
The committee of conference on HB 1 and HB 2 reviewed comparison documents and worked through a long list of House and Senate positions, agreeing on some technical or already-enacted items while setting aside others for later discussion. Early on, members agreed to delete a House Bill 2 section tied to a bill already passed into law, and a representative explained a technical amendment to the EFA provisions clarifying enrollment-cap repeal language and compulsory attendance rules for EFA students. That amendment was discussed but a vote was postponed because not all members were present. The committee also noted that the overall EFA budget numbers had already been settled separately.
Several items were either agreed to or held for further negotiation. Members agreed to delete sections already covered by other enacted bills, including BTLA-related language, and to accept a technical amendment changing "municipalities" to "political subdivisions" in a section affecting funding eligibility. They also agreed on some items involving workers’ compensation second injuries, certain pilot-program language, and some sections related to state loan repayment and other technical corrections. In contrast, they set aside or disputed items involving site evaluation, lottery-related provisions, opioid abatement, the Commission on Aging, Granite Advantage premium costs, renewable energy/offshore wind funding, special education funding, and several education trust fund and unique-fund provisions.
The committee spent substantial time on policy disputes. The House side argued against keeping money in dedicated Fish and Game funds rather than increasing the main Fish and Game fund, while the Senate side defended its approach and raised concerns about fee impacts, including one tied to the fishing license. The members also discussed a housing appeals board proposal, with one member suggesting a possible compromise that would preserve some function while shifting duties and possibly sunsetting the arrangement later; the contracts for the positions were noted as running through June 30, 2028 and June 30, 2029. Another extended discussion concerned the child advocate records-access section, which one side wanted removed as policy that should go through the normal bill process, while another member asked to hold it and suggested a possible middle-ground, time-limited approach.
Later, the committee agreed to remove sections already handled in other bills, including House sections 254 and 255, and discussed but did not resolve disputes over liquor licensing functions, cannabis-related language, cost containment, special education, and several fee and fund provisions. The Senate explained its position on the governor’s commission language, saying opioid abatement trust funds could not be used for that purpose and that the commission should continue to be funded through 5% of gross liquor profits; it also described renaming the body the Commission on Addiction Treatment and Prevention and expanding its scope to include problem gambling. The meeting ended with several major items still open for later negotiation.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Jun 22nd, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The program recognizes women ages 60 and older who volunteer, lead, and commit to having helped honor
- year's remarkable volunteers whose dedication and service embody the spirit of the El Dorado Rose program
- My honorary from Senate District 20 is Elizabeth Padilla, a dedicated community advocate and program
- She's more than a program leader, but a living example of the values she champions every day.
- She leads outreach, education, and program implementation efforts for the sidewalk vending program, helping
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then spent much of the session on floor recognitions and Pride Month observances. Members welcomed guests and honorees including APICA fellowship participants, the El Dorado Roses, retiring Loma Linda University Health president Dr. Richard Hart and incoming leader Dr. Anthony Hilliard, and Scripps National Spelling Bee champion Shrey Parique. The chamber also heard several personal and community tributes tied to LGBTQ+ Pride Month, including a long series of introductions of Pride honorees from across the state.
The main legislative item was SR 116 recognizing June 2026 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Senators Cervantes, Weber Pierson, Becker, Menjivar, Arreguín, Wahab, Ochoa Bogh, Wiener, and Laird, among others, spoke in support, emphasizing the history of Stonewall and other LGBTQ+ resistance movements, the contributions of Black, Latino, Jewish, women, and Asian American LGBTQ communities, and the need to oppose ongoing discrimination, violence, and attacks on transgender people. The resolution was adopted after a roll call vote of 28-0, and the Senate then proceeded to honor a large slate of Pride honorees from multiple districts and organizations.
The Senate also adopted SCR 166 designating Soju Day, with support highlighting Korean American culture and soju as a symbol of hospitality and cross-cultural exchange. SCR 155, naming the State Route 52/Interstate 805 interchange in San Diego County the Officer Kirk Leeland Johnson Memorial Interchange, also passed unanimously after remarks honoring Johnson’s military and police service and the long effort by his partner to secure the memorial. In addition, the Senate confirmed Laura Capps to the Board of State and Community Corrections by a 27-9 vote and confirmed Danielle Munoz to the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology by a 28-0 vote. The body also approved several Joint Rule 62(a) suspensions to allow committee hearings on short notice, moved AB 2294 to the inactive file, and sent SB 1189 back to the Assembly for further action.
The session concluded with adjournment in memory motions for Judith Helene Ware, Huntley Gordon, and Adolfo Franceschi Colon, followed by announcements that the Senate would reconvene on June 25, 2026.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session - Part 1 - 05/14/26
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, is we're also going to do some revisions to the down payment assistance program that we have here
- The down payment assistance program is one way to do that.
- </c><00:23:45.360><c> The</c> program is one way to do that. The program is one way to do that.
- </c> payment assistance program. payment assistance program.
- This program will build that workforce for those small meat lockers, for the large meat lockers.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee (4-13-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- We've rectified that with a lack of information program, which is, you know, when a provider doesn't
- lack of informations, we put them in a program where they get direct and one-on-one instructions on
- information program, which is you<00:19:50.360><c> know,</c><00:19:50.480><c> when</c><00:19:51.240>
- But the program we information notice.
- So, we're doing that new program.
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting’s minutes, and then reviewed a series of administrative regulations from multiple agencies. Most of the regulations were presented as technical updates or policy clarifications, and in each case the committee approved staff-suggested amendments without objection. The Department of Revenue regulation would delete a section on tax credits for trusts and estates to align with statute. The Kentucky Public Pensions Authority package updated definitions, sick leave credit rules, hazardous/non-hazardous employment participation, refund procedures, contribution limits, mortality table references, and incorporated federal tax references. The Board of Medical Licensure regulations addressed renewal and activation of inactive physician-assistant licenses and renewal/reinstatement timelines for athletic trainer licenses. The Fish and Wildlife regulations revised rules for Otter Creek and Peabody areas by deleting definitions and creating shooting-range permit exemptions.
The committee also heard emergency vocational rehabilitation regulations that would clarify definitions, due process rights, federal compliance, service fees, in-state service preferences, and service-specific requirements; a workforce insurance regulation updating contribution/reporting rules for professional employer organizations; and a horse racing regulation adding license categories for allied animal health professionals, animal chiropractors, and equine dental providers, while updating fees, application timing, and special events licensing. Members asked questions about the horse racing licensure changes, and the agency explained they were responding to prior session changes and adding guardrails, including veterinarian sign-off for equine therapist licensure on the back side of a racetrack.
The Department for Public Health package made several personnel and salary-related changes for local health departments, including salary ranges for new hires, probation and evaluation rules, salary increases after probation, and limits on certain leave payouts for employees who separate without proper notice or are dismissed for cause. The Office of Inspector General regulation added electronic prescription references and removed authority to create a new prescription number for partial dispensing of Schedule II prescriptions. The Department for Medicaid Services regulations updated provider group definitions, removed some service limits, required prior authorization for all genetic testing for non-MCO recipients, changed physician fee schedule updates from quarterly to annually, and added reimbursement for department-approved vaccines. Members asked detailed questions about genetic testing prior authorization and sleep disorder coverage; the agency said prior authorization is intended to take two to five days and that sleep disorder services generally involve sleep apnea-related treatments such as CPAP machines and sleep studies. The committee then adjourned and announced its next meeting for Tuesday, May 12 at 1:00 p.m.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill will help the Minnesota Medication Repository Program, which we have Dr.
- I am a pharmacist and I lead the Minnesota Medication Repository Program, known as Round Table RX.
- The program operates under contract and oversight of the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy.
- Yeah, this is a great program. Um, I do hope you guys support this bill. intense.
- Um, I do >> Yeah, this is a great program.
Committee:
House Ways and Means
Keywords:
agriculture, education, leadership council, compensation, research institute, dairy assistance, investment relief, agriculture support, food production, economic relief, investment, relief initiative, farm support, medication repository, drug donation, healthcare, Minnesota Statutes, pharmacy, public health, controlled substances
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- The Clean Fuels Program and comes to Finance from the Environment and Energy Committee.
- Substitute House Bill 2322 makes several changes to the alternative fuel program.
- We support the SAF incentive program and have been actively looking for ways to make SAF a success in
- This is a distinct exemption program from taxes.
- This is a distinct exemption program from taxes.
Committee:
House Finance
Keywords:
timberland, real estate, excise tax, governmental entities, property taxation, land bank, land banking authority, affordable housing, housing crisis, housing supply, public corporation, public housing authority, nonprofit housing, tax-foreclosed property, blight remediation, redevelopment, anti-displacement, equity, redlining, racial segregation
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Transportation and Public Works Jan 29th, 2026 at 09:09 am
Transcript Highlights:
- I don't want to undermine the five programs that they funded last year.
- But I don't want to undermine the five programs that they funded last year.
- But I don't want to undermine the five programs. I... Who they funded last year.
- I don't want to undermine the five programs that they funded last year.
- So the projects are identified along I-40 here on out that we're programmed, that we're programming in
Summary:
The committee first heard TRIP’s annual New Mexico transportation report from Carolyn Boniface Kelly, which described deteriorating roads and bridges, congestion, safety concerns, and a large transportation funding gap. The report said more than half of major roads statewide are in poor or mediocre condition, over 170 bridges are rated poor, congestion costs drivers significant time and money, and traffic crashes and road conditions impose billions in annual costs. Members broadly agreed the report underscored the need for more stable transportation funding, with several noting the state’s recurring underinvestment and the safety risks to motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 2, a transportation bonding and revenue package. Senator Gonzales and Governor’s office and NMDOT representatives said the bill would authorize about $1.5 billion in additional bond debt for ready-to-go highway projects, while also increasing certain motor vehicle excise, registration, weight-distance, and EV-related fees to help support debt service and transportation funding. Supporters, including contractors, the Greater Albuquerque Chamber, the Department of Finance and Administration, and transportation officials, argued the bill would improve safety, economic development, project delivery, and funding stability, and help preserve federal dollars. Opponents, including the Rio Grande Foundation and some committee members, objected to the tax and fee increases, argued the state should use existing surpluses or other funds instead, and raised concerns about impacts on families, businesses, and local governments.
Committee members questioned how projects would be selected, how the new fees were calculated, how EV surcharges would work, and whether local government distributions would be affected. NMDOT said the projects would be reported to the legislature annually, selected using crash data, asset management, and project readiness, but bond approval would remain with the State Transportation Commission. After debate, Representative Romero moved do pass on SB 2 as amended, Representative Hochman-Vigil seconded, and the committee approved the bill 7-2, with Representatives Brown and Dow voting no and several members expressing reservations despite supporting the need for transportation investment.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- We pass things, and I think it’s good to actually put sunsets on different programs as you’re pushing
- They didn't cut any of that entire program.
- and letting... ...going back and actually one-timing some of these programs and letting JFAC kind of
- So those reserve funds can go really, really fast just in that program alone.
- And that was all we were going to see this program ever get to be. That was where it was at.
Committee:
House State Affairs
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from January 26 and 27, then introduced RS 33100, a proposal by Representative Alfieri to let county clerks use people excused from jury duty as poll workers, with those volunteers then being excused from jury duty for two years. It also introduced RS 33107 C1, Representative Hill’s revised flag bill, which would restrict government entities from displaying political, religious, or ideological flags on government property while allowing the American flag, state flag, military flags, university flags, and certain older city or county flags; the bill includes a daily penalty and enforcement by the Attorney General. Several members raised concerns about carve-outs, local community displays, and the impact on events such as Basque heritage observances, school and PTA displays, and city boulevard flags, and Representatives Church, Haas, and Bingham voted no on the motion to introduce.
The committee then introduced RS 33090, Representative Tanner’s House concurrent resolution calling for an Article V balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Tanner argued that federal debt and spending are unsustainable and that states should push Congress to act; opponents warned about the dangers of a constitutional convention, while Tanner and Alfieri emphasized that Article V provides a state-led amendment process. The motion passed, with Representatives Boyle, Haas, and Church recorded as voting no.
After the bill introductions, Tanner gave an extended overview of the state budget process through JFAC. He said Idaho’s revenue remains above forecast, but the state faces ongoing spending pressures, especially Medicaid, conformity costs tied to federal tax changes, and other supplemental requests. He warned against relying too heavily on one-time funds or the rainy day fund, urged caution on fiscal notes and new ongoing spending, and said some cuts and holdbacks may be needed to preserve the ending balance and protect reserves for a future recession. Members questioned him about Medicaid overruns, reserve use, roads, fire funding, and dedicated funds, and Tanner said many large budget drivers are constrained by federal or statutory requirements. The committee adjourned after the presentation.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Changes the pretrial diversion program to a domestic violence deferred sentencing program and requires
- If the defendant does not complete the program, the case will be set for sentencing.
- Tab two is Senate Bill 656 on Internet Crimes Against Children Programs.
- This... ...Against Children Task Force Funding Program within FDLE.
- The bill does not create a new program.
Committee:
Senate Criminal Justice
Keywords:
sexual offender, sexual predator, sex offender registry, child protection, residency restriction, loitering, proximity restriction, public swimming pool, school safety, child care facility, day care center, park, playground, conditional release, probation, community control, warrantless arrest, background check, registry screening, minor victims
Summary:
The committee took up a series of criminal justice and public safety bills. SB 1084, which exempts certain identifying and location information for non-legal support staff in state attorneys’ offices from public records requests, was supported by prosecuting attorneys and reported favorably. SB 212, as amended, created new restrictions related to sexual offenders and predators, including a 200-foot restricted presence provision near certain locations and updated notification/supervision requirements; it drew strong opposition from researchers, advocates, and affected families who argued it lacked evidence and would increase homelessness, but it was reported favorably. SB 682, addressing domestic violence, coercive control, strangulation, animal abuse, injunctions, and related training and enforcement issues, received emotional survivor testimony and support from animal welfare and law enforcement groups and was reported favorably. SB 656, creating and renaming FDLE Internet Crimes Against Children funding and grant programs, was amended and reported favorably and unanimously.
The committee also considered SB 810 on sealing criminal history records, which would expand eligibility for some non-conviction records and one low-level misdemeanor conviction after waiting periods and judicial review; supporters said Florida is unusually restrictive, while one senator raised concerns about the scope, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 890, creating a standalone battery by strangulation offense applicable outside domestic relationships, was reported favorably after the sponsor said it would close a gap in current law. SB 892, revising habitual offender and violent career criminal sentencing procedures and notice requirements, was reported favorably, with defense lawyers supporting the clearer pretrial notice. SB 928, “Missy’s Law,” requiring immediate remand to custody after conviction of certain dangerous crimes, was amended to include computer pornography/child exploitation offenses and reported favorably after a family member of the namesake victim testified in support.
Later, SB 1284 modernized arrest and search warrant statutes, expanding judicial summons options for some misdemeanors and broadening warrant/arrest authority in certain DUI, injunction, domestic violence, and misdemeanor force cases; defense lawyers supported the judicial-discretion portions but raised concerns about DUI/BUI arrests, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, SB 812, a technical companion to SB 810 updating public records treatment for sealed criminal history records, was amended to clarify prosecutorial access for later cases and reported favorably. Several bills were supported by law enforcement, prosecutors, and advocacy groups, while others drew opposition from civil liberties, treatment, homelessness, and criminal defense advocates. The meeting adjourned after members recorded additional votes on selected tabs.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Capital Project Overview Committee (09/29/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- So the closed referral program, which is part of the Beneficiary Service Improvement capital project—and
- So the closed referral program, which is part of the Beneficiary Service Improvement capital project—and
- How many providers are we looking at across the state that have decided to opt in and use this program
- How many providers are we looking at across the state that have decided to opt in and use this program
- How many providers are we looking at across the state that have decided to opt in and use this program
Summary:
The committee approved the minutes from its June 30 meeting and then considered Capital Project 2515, a request from the Pease Development Authority Division of Ports and Harbors to spend up to $125,000 from the Harbor Dredging and Pier Maintenance Fund to replace a deteriorated 99-foot floating dock at Rye Harbor. Acting Director Richard Hartley said the dock is used for passenger loading and unloading for charters and whale-watching tours and is in poor condition. Representative Edgar moved approval, Representative Wiler seconded, and the motion carried.
The committee then received several informational items, including quarterly and maintenance reports from the Department of Administrative Services, the Community College System of New Hampshire, and the Pease Development Authority. It also heard a presentation from the Department of Health and Human Services on Capital Project 2516, the Beneficiary Service Improvement project supporting closed-loop referrals and related systems. DHHS described the project as a mix of Medicaid enterprise functions and New Hampshire Care Connections tools, including provider modules, third-party liability, event notifications, and closed-loop referrals to connect health and human service providers. Officials said the project is largely federally funded, with capital funds representing only part of the overall effort.
Members asked about the accounting breakdown, prior committee review, provider participation, patient experience, and public response. Representative Burr questioned whether the project had been fully presented previously and raised concerns about the scope and necessity of the $8 million effort; DHHS responded that earlier work was discussed in other committees and that the current presentation covered only capital funds. Senator Waters asked about user response and patient experience, and DHHS said feedback has been generally positive but the system is still in design and implementation. In response to questions about participation, DHHS said 84 providers are currently on the network and clarified that a “provider” generally means an individual organization or health system, not each individual clinician. The committee also set its next meeting for December 9 at 9:00 a.m. at Granite Place, Room 228, and then adjourned.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Ethics and Elections Apr 22nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- BEYOND THAT AS WELL I DO AS AN ATTORNEY HAVE AN INTEREST IN THE PREVIEW LAW PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY
- I UNDERSTAND THAT THE PROGRAM WAS DOING WELL AND ANYTHING I CAN DO TO SUPPORT THAT MOVING FORWARD IS
- WE WILL INVEST IN STAFF AND PROGRAMS THAT ALIGN WITH TODAY'S JOB MARKET TRENDS.
- WHY CAN'T WE EXPAND OUR DOCTORAL PROGRAM AND ENGINEERING. WHY CAN'T WE HAVE OUR OWN MEDICAL SCHOOL.
- THAT WILL IMPACT THE ACADEMIC PROGRAMS, THE ACCREDITATION PROGRAMS, THE BUDGET, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee Apr 8th, 2025
Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials
Transcript Highlights:
- Fashion Program at California State University at Northridge, students for a sustainable Stanford.
- Keeping in mind that the program is cost effective for. Both consumers and businesses.
- And then, historically, the committee has raised concerns about safer consumer products programs not
- this program?
- So that would come from federal funds then, or is that like a grant program, is there enough?
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And when you've used it before, you've used it where, here in Texas, in terms of a pilot program?
- I oversee quality programming for students who need additional intervention to be successful with our
- Our early literacy support program is one-on-one or one-on-two brief reading tutoring sessions with a
- I would like to mention the Talking Book program.
- As we think about other programs that this bill references... ...As we think about other programs that
Committee:
Senate Education K-16
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Education K-16 met with a quorum and announced a full agenda, including combined public testimony for two bills related to student personal communication devices. The committee first took up Senate Bill 1262 by Senator Nichols, a school safety cleanup bill following House Bill 3. The bill would allow TEA to commission peace officers for school safety purposes, require annual renewal of good-cause exceptions to armed guard requirements, create a new report based on intruder detection audits and vulnerability assessments, and require behavioral threat assessment teams to include someone with specific knowledge of a special education student’s disability. Committee members asked about the difference between TCOLE licensing and TEA commissioning, the scope of the officers’ authority, and how the good-cause exception would work. The committee substitute was adopted, and public testimony included support from school safety and drone-response advocates, Disability Rights Texas in favor of the special education provisions, and a student witness raising concerns about the mental health impact of repeated lockdowns and the need for immediate, reliable school safety responses. The bill was left pending after testimony, then the committee briefly recessed and later reopened testimony to hear the student witness.
The committee then laid out Senate Bill 2252 by Senator Creighton, a major early literacy and numeracy bill for kindergarten through third grade. Creighton said the bill builds on prior literacy efforts by funding teacher stipends for literacy and math academies, providing free and clearly administered screeners and assessments, expanding screening options, clarifying how results are used, supporting high-quality pre-K, and increasing the early education allotment. He emphasized low reading performance and the need for early intervention. Members discussed how the bill differs from earlier academy models and whether the assessments are diagnostic or high-stakes; Creighton and witnesses said the tools are intended to identify students needing support, not to serve as punitive testing. The committee adopted the substitute.
Witnesses for SB 2252 largely supported the bill. A Uplift Education representative described strong gains from small-group literacy tutoring and said students receiving targeted support can make more than a year of growth in a year. An education specialist explained that the bill aligns general education screening with existing dyslexia and special education practices and helps districts identify students who need intervention before a disability evaluation is required. A Commit Partnership witness cited statewide reading data, the importance of high-quality pre-K, and the need for transparent, consistent progress monitoring and parent engagement. Members asked about the meaning of the growth data, how dyslexia screening works, and how the bill would help identify struggling students earlier. Before finishing all questions, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair after the floor session.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Finally, the bill authorizes state attorneys to create DUI diversion programs and requires Highway Safety
- A final concern today is with the subsection on discretionary diversion programs.
- We believe those programs are well intended and offer a second chance for first-time offenders.
- She said it is time to update the law and provide a program that is fair and equitable.
- It affects after-school programs, the start times...
Committee:
Senate Fiscal Policy
Summary:
The committee heard and approved several bills. CS for CS for CS SB 138, Trenton’s Law, would broaden DUI and boating-under-the-influence laws to cover any impairing substance, increase penalties for refusal to submit to breath or urine testing, allow blood warrants in misdemeanor DUI/BUI cases, enhance penalties for DUI with death or vehicular homicide involving prior convictions, and authorize DUI diversion programs. Supporters included law enforcement and prosecutors, who said the bill addresses gaps involving over-the-counter drugs and refusal cases; the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers raised concerns about the breadth of the “any impairing substance” language and record consequences for first refusals. The bill was reported favorably.
The committee also reported favorably SB 400, which removes the repeal date from Florida’s Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children, and CS for SB 102, which creates a workforce credentialing program for exceptional student education students, especially those with autism, to earn badges for job skills and safety-related competencies. SB 102 drew questions about fiscal impact and teacher training, with supporters emphasizing workforce readiness and parent involvement while some members raised concerns about costs and implementation. SB 130, which updates compensation for wrongfully incarcerated people found factually innocent, was also reported favorably after supporters argued Florida’s current law is too restrictive and too few exonerees have been compensated.
The committee then approved CS for CS for SB 296, which repeals the statewide mandate for later middle and high school start times and returns the decision to local districts, while requiring districts to document their analysis of sleep, safety, transportation, and other impacts. An amendment added a reporting requirement to show how districts considered later start times and any unintended consequences. The bill drew broad support from school officials and education groups, with members noting transportation and extracurricular challenges. Finally, SB 234, dealing with criminal offenses against law enforcement officers, was reported favorably after debate over whether the bill should retain “good faith” language and how it would affect defenses and officer accountability. The committee also passed CS for SB 274, designating a portion of International Drive as Harris Rosen Way and adding a memorial designation for the late Senator Geraldine Thompson near the Wells Built Museum; members praised both honorees and the bill was reported favorably. The committee adjourned after recording one member’s request to be shown voting yes on the first bill.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Public safety committee considers HF765 3/5/25
Transcript Highlights:
- The programming doesn't work.
- You have to have hold of them in order to have the programming happen.
- </c><00:25:47.159><c> that</c> can talk about the programming that can talk about the programming that
- </c> make that happen but the programming make that happen but the programming doesn't<00:25:51.320><
- </c><00:25:59.200><c> is</c> juveniles is the programming is juveniles is the programming is fantastic
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Finance and Policy Committee 3/2/26
Health Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- We also through firearms um programs.
- I mean, do we do some of these programs already through the Office of Justice programs?
- Office of Justice um programs? Office of Justice um programs?
- </c> clinics or opioid treatment programs. clinics or opioid treatment programs.
- Above all, it and program integrity.
Committee:
House Health Finance and Policy
Keywords:
gun violence, public health, Department of Health, prevention, criminal justice, health care transparency, ownership disclosure, control reporting, health care consolidation, private equity, management services organization, MSO, provider organization, health insurer, pharmacy benefit manager, hospital system, affiliate reporting, financial disclosure, public reporting, market concentration
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- ,</c> skills-based certificate programs, skills-based certificate programs, publicly<00:04:08.000><c>
- ,</c><00:04:27.919><c> or</c> events, public programming, or events, public programming, or educational
- Prepare and Prosper is the largest VITA program.
- The vital program provides tax motans.
- </c><01:37:56.320><c> in</c> allow greater access to our programs in allow greater access to our programs
Committee:
Senate Taxes
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> ashor financial assistance program ashor financial assistance program within<00:21:37.240><c> the
- </c><00:35:27.920><c> and</c><00:35:28.079><c> two</c> state level direct file program and two state
- </c> Grant process for both of these programs Grant process for both of these programs um<01:13:17.199
- </c> Federal grant funds for the Vita program Federal grant funds for the Vita program and<01:17:39.360
- </c> every day how these high impact programs every day how these high impact programs help<01:20:08.480
Committee:
House Taxes
Keywords:
taxation, income tax, property tax, corporate tax, homestead credit, local government aid, tax credits, economic development, taxpayer assistance, tax credit outreach, tax preparation, free tax help, IRS, Department of Revenue, general fund appropriation, earned income tax credit, child tax credit, volunteer income tax assistance, VITA, low-income taxpayers
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- for the dependence scholarship program for the dependence scholarship program for the dependence uh
- expanding our food assistant programs expanding our food assistant programs and uh seeing Community
- designed to provide scholarship program designed to provide scholarship program designed to provide
- taking my calls in the middle of program taking my calls in the middle of program taking my calls in
- safer together program a potential the safer together program a potential the safer together program