Transcript Highlights:

• Is that a fair statement?
• But I think we could all agree that if charter staff are asking for, say, an audited financial statement

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met with a quorum and took up several education bills. SB 1150, by Senator Calatayud, was presented as a measure to help school districts retain school social workers by removing an exam requirement unrelated to the profession. With no questions or debate, the committee voted the bill favorably. The committee then moved to SB 1514, by Senator Smith, on anaphylaxis response in public schools. After adopting a delete-all amendment and a late-filed amendment clarifying FDA-approved epinephrine devices and weight-based dosing, the committee heard support from Orange County Public Schools and reported the bill favorably. The most extensive discussion centered on SB 1708, also by Senator Calatayud, which would expand Schools of Hope by broadening the definition of low-performing schools from those in the bottom 10% in both math and reading to those in the bottom 10% in either subject, and would authorize co-location of Schools of Hope in underused public school facilities. Senators questioned how co-location would work, who could enroll, how liability and contracts would be handled, and whether the bill would help the specific students most in need. Many public speakers opposed the bill, arguing it would strain already underfunded public schools, reduce space and resources, and unfairly favor charter operators. The sponsor said the bill would not reduce classroom space in use, would require contracts to address safety and liability, and would provide a net positive to districts through a $600-per-student facility payment plus associated funding. After debate from both supporters and skeptics, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also considered CS for SB 822, by Senator Rodriguez, which would give charter schools more autonomy over governance and operations, including deadlines, enrollment caps, student conduct policies, and data sharing. The Florida Charter School Alliance supported the bill, arguing it would create parity and reduce burdens on charter schools, while committee members pressed the witness on claims of district “harassment” and the basis for those concerns. The bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote. At the end of the meeting, members recorded votes on prior tabs, thanked staff, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The American Academy of Pediatrics has released multiple statements and studies highlighting the sharp
• So I'll retract that statement. Thank you for acknowledging that.

Bills: SB27 , SB226 , SB326 , SB570 , SB605 , SB870 , SB991 , SB1871 , SB1872 , SB1873 , SB1874 , SB1924 , SB1925

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, antisemitism, student conduct, education, disciplinary actions, Texas Education Code, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district

Transcript Highlights:

• Would that be a fair statement? Mr.
• Speaker, gentlemen, that is a fair statement, and I want to correct you on the numbers: 5 million...

Transcript Highlights:

• The two currently required are the audited financial statements and the SEC filings, the Securities and
• And I agree with a statement that's out in the public that says it is not the legislature's responsibility

Committee: House Commerce Committee

Summary: The Commerce Committee held its first meeting, took roll, established a quorum, and heard opening remarks from the chair, vice chair, and ranking member emphasizing the committee’s broad scope and focus on Florida’s economy and daily-life issues. The committee then considered several bills, with members and staff noting the agenda included four bills and a PCS. The first measures dealt with insurance and consumer regulation. CS/HB 367 on home and service warranty associations was explained as allowing financial requirements to be met through one or more contractual liability policies and reducing certain filing requirements; an amendment adding requirements for liability insurance coverage was adopted, and the bill passed favorably. HB 655 on pet insurance and wellness programs created a regulatory framework for pet insurance and also passed favorably. HB 6015, which deleted the word “reusable” from the wine keg statute, had brief support testimony and passed favorably. The committee spent the most time on CS/HB 105, a strike-all PCS on thoroughbred permit holders and decoupling racing from gaming. The sponsor said the revised bill would decouple racing and gaming while adding protections for the thoroughbred industry, including a notice period before racing could stop, permit transferability, and changes to how breeders’ and owners’ funds are administered. Supporters argued the bill would preserve and strengthen the industry through clearer rules and more direct support, while opponents—horsemen, breeders, trainers, veterinarians, and related businesses—warned it would harm a major rural industry, threaten jobs, and favor casino interests. After extensive debate, the strike-all was adopted and the bill was reported favorably on a divided vote. Finally, HB 11 on municipal water and sewer utility rates was presented as correcting an unintended consequence in surcharge law for utilities owned by one municipality but located in another. Testimony focused on the fairness of the current surcharge structure and the impact on Miami Gardens and North Miami Beach. After debate about negotiation, parity, and local impacts, the bill passed favorably. The committee then adjourned after its first meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I have concerns about the statement in the bill: the governor's chair shall be committed to the acquisition
• I mean, like I said in my opening statement, I really realize this is a pretty ambitious deal.

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• statement that that's correct and you and I both know him and your wife taught for a long time and I
• Senator Perry, you're recognized for a statement. Thank you, Mr.

Bills: SB26 , SB28 , SJR36 , SB26 , SB616 , SB565 , SB384 , SB28

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the statements he made, certainly after the supply chain crisis, the leadership of the Secretary
• But I think just the general statement would be concept to construction is 15 to 20 years historically

Summary: The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee heard an overview from FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue on the state’s transportation work program, with emphasis on the Moving Florida Forward initiative, major roadway projects, workforce needs, seaports, airports, spaceport infrastructure, and the role of MPOs/TPOs in planning. He said the $4 billion general revenue investment in Moving Florida Forward has been leveraged into a roughly $7 billion-plus program, with 20 projects underway and about 70% of the initiative expected to be under construction by year’s end. He highlighted I-4 as the centerpiece, describing a new procurement approach, phased delivery, and added lanes intended to provide congestion relief during construction. He also discussed a projected 38% growth in transportation workforce needs and proposed a Florida Transportation Academy and a research institute to support training and innovation. Tiffany King of the Florida Airports Council said Florida’s 128 public-use airports have about $5.7 billion in unfunded projects through 2029, and stressed that airport priorities include not only terminals and passenger capacity but also safety, security, gates, and environmental work. Michael Rubin of the Florida Ports Council said Florida’s 16 deepwater seaports now have a $195.9 billion economic impact, support about 1.2 million jobs, and generate $7.4 billion in state and local taxes; he noted that ports still have about $4 billion in project needs, including dredging and intermodal connections. Jeff Sheffield of the North Florida TPO described the value of regional, community-based planning and said his four-county TPO has helped align local priorities with FDOT funding. Members asked about whether the state is planning for advanced air mobility and “flying cars,” whether Moving Florida Forward bypassed MPOs, how long major projects take, cost escalation, regionalization of MPOs, port governance, airport governance, and the contractor qualification system. FDOT and the witnesses said the state is working on policy and planning for advanced air mobility, that Moving Florida Forward did not bypass MPOs because the projects were already locally prioritized, and that the main delay is funding rather than the planning process. They said long-range plans are updated regularly and can be amended when priorities change, and that regional MPO structures can improve coordination. The committee took no formal vote; the meeting concluded after questions and comments, including discussion of workforce training opportunities for incarcerated individuals and a motion to adjourn by the ranking member.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that, is that an accurate statement? That certainly experience it happens.
• The amount of uncertified teachers and is that an accurate statement or it's been reported that HISD

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• It's more of a statement. In 2008, I believe it was the last time... Thank you, Chair.
• It's more of a statement.

Summary: The committee first heard an update from the Florida Department of Corrections on the proposed Lake Correctional Institution mental health project in Clermont. Tim Fitzgerald explained the project’s history, including the 2016 Disability Rights Florida litigation, the 2018 consent decree, and the original plan for a 550-bed inpatient mental health facility. He said inflation and design changes pushed the project above the bond amount, leading the department to shift to a “continuum of care” alternative with 572 beds total: 92 inpatient beds and 480 residential treatment beds in three special housing units. Fitzgerald said the project is currently paused pending House concurrence, while the Senate has already agreed to the alternate plan, and noted the bond balance, prior expenditures, and the need to spend down the tax-exempt bond by August 2026. Members questioned how the new plan differs from the original facility, whether it satisfies the consent decree, and what caused the cost increases. Fitzgerald said the department believes it has already met the consent decree through systemwide improvements to housing, staffing, programming, and out-of-cell time, though he said he would confirm the court documentation. He also said the original scope grew from 275,000 to 350,000 square feet as treatment, nursing, security, and programming needs were refined, and that inflation, fees, permitting, and contingencies contributed to the higher cost. Several members asked for follow-up information on Senate approval, consent decree documentation, and the project’s impact on crisis-stabilization capacity. The committee then received a joint court-system presentation from State Courts Administrator Eric McClure and Clerks Corporation Executive Director Jason Welty on caseload trends, case tracking, and staffing. McClure described statewide filing trends, the use of weighted caseload studies to certify judicial need, and recent Supreme Court rule changes aimed at active civil case management, including differentiated case tracks, stricter deadlines, and proportional discovery. He said the latest workload study led the Supreme Court to certify a need for 23 circuit judges and 25 county judges. Welty reviewed clerk workload trends, the statewide case maintenance and CCIS systems, and declining clerk FTE despite rising case volumes, and said clerks are seeking additional funding for injunctions, Baker Act/Marchman Act/sexually violent predator work, and juror management. In questions, members pressed both presenters on data quality, case-weight calculations, filing fees, and whether current resources are enough to reduce delays. McClure clarified that the workload weights are based on judge time studies and that a capital murder case averaged 3,177 minutes, while other examples such as auto negligence and dissolution cases were much lower. Welty said the Legislature could help by increasing funding or potentially revisiting filing fees, and noted that many clerk services are unfunded or underfunded, especially indigent and protective filings. The chair and members also raised concerns about backlog, inconsistent case reporting across circuits, and enforcement of judicial time standards; McClure said there is no direct sanction in the rules, and compliance is largely managed through chief judges and the Supreme Court. The meeting ended with no votes taken and adjournment by motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• One is when you file for a fiscal impact statement.
• It is when you actually begin the process because you could get a fiscal impact statement and not proceed
• Plus, I think that the uh statement.
• I think that, you know, in terms of what Representative Pearson's statement about having a clock an hour
• Statement. Uh, as well as the fact that we're looking at how we need to deploy certain equipment.

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The, um, you know, we promote the American way of life and our mission statement, uh, if you'll indulge
• The, um, you know, we promote the American way of life and our mission statement, uh, if you'll indulge
• So, I do appreciate you saying that. >> Uh, so, I appreciate your statement.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Uh so, I I appreciate your statement. &gt;&gt; Uh so, I I appreciate your statement.
• Do you agree with that convoluted statement? I do agree with it, and I'll tell you why.

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that is my statement. Thank you so much.
• And that is my statement. Thank you so much.
• </c> SB36 and I have a short statement SB36 and I have a short statement um<00:39:03.839><c> to</c><00
• And that<00:40:38.960><c> is</c><00:40:39.040><c> my</c><00:40:39.280><c> statement.
• </c> that is my statement. Thank you so much. that is my statement. Thank you so much.

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that was never our intention, was this a joint committee with equal ability to make a statement.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The conference committee on legislative rules, led by House Chair Michael Moran and Senate Chair Senator Creem, reviewed the many differences between House and Senate versions of the rules and reported that the branches had agreed on 24 of 52 disputed items. Members said they were moving closer to a final compromise, with several provisions already settled and others still being negotiated offline. The discussion emphasized transparency, committee administration, and ways to move bills through the process earlier in the session. Items agreed to included committee name changes such as adding fisheries to Agriculture and changing elder affairs to aging and independent, adopting House language on joint rules, making committee reports and bill/resolution materials available electronically and online, allowing public access to summaries, and several technical or administrative updates. The committee also agreed on rules for executive sessions, temporary employees, committee travel, favorable/unfavorable reporting, joint petitions, home rule expiration, and special commission meetings. Some provisions were tabled for further discussion, including Mason’s Rules, notice and posting timelines, hearing scheduling, in-person hearings, bill reporting deadlines, and several other administrative topics. A few issues remained unresolved, especially who should draft bill summaries, how to handle notice periods for hearings and postings, and how to structure committee votes and reporting deadlines. The committee also discussed Rule 35, agreeing in principle to a public hearing and broader public comment on rules review, which members said would improve transparency. At the end of the meeting, members praised the work of the committee and staff, said there was “light at the end of the tunnel,” and adjourned after a motion and second.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll send you the rest of this statement if you would like, but I don't think that.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Marianella 'Nellie' Castaneda began her statement... Clerk will read.

Bills: HB4440 , HJR1067 , HJR1087 , HB4426 , HB3704 , HB4311 , HB3044 , HB4191 , HB3465 , HB3972 , HB3759 , HB3625 , HB1411 , HB2980 , HB3015 , HB3147 , HB3277 , HB3323 , HB3443 , HB3882 , HB3406 , HB2975 , HB3977 , HB3263 , HB2988 , HB3404 , HB1770

Keywords: Medicaid, low-income adults, healthcare, eligibility restrictions, constitutional amendment, Medicaid expansion, SoonerCare, health coverage, federal matching funds, FMAP, Article XXV-A, state question, special election, Title 63, public assistance, healthcare funding, federal-state match, Medicaid eligibility, Oklahoma Constitution, ad valorem

Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, and opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. The chamber then recognized several guests and honorees, including the doctor of the day, Dr. Mukesh Perek; nurse of the day, Cynthia Cochran; psychologist of the day, Dr. Colby Kipp; and a guest introduced by Senator Brooks, Marianella “Nellie” Castaneda, who was honored for her quick action in responding to a distress call that helped prompt a law enforcement response in a domestic violence situation. Senator Brooks and Castaneda both spoke about the incident and the importance of staff responsiveness and public service. The Senate also honored Jalen Lundry of Hayworth, named a national champion in the FFA Agriscience Fair for research on red wiggler worms and soil health. Lundry spoke briefly about her project and thanked Senator George Burns. The Pro Tem recognized April 6, 2026, as National Rifle Association and Oklahoma Rifle Association Day, with representatives from both organizations present in the gallery. The chamber also introduced the week’s pages, who each identified their schools, senators they were paging for, and future plans. No legislation was debated or voted on during the session. Instead, members made committee and floor announcements, including upcoming meetings of Revenue and Taxation, Appropriations, Public Safety, and the Senate Rural Caucus. The Senate then adopted a motion to adjourn and stood adjourned until Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• to suggest maybe we should include, maybe speak to the sponsor about some sort of reasonable list statement

Committee: Senate Codes

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Codes met in a different room due to scheduling conflicts and considered a series of bills, mostly criminal procedure, penal law, civil rights, and executive law measures. Several bills had previously passed the Senate unanimously and were quickly moved through committee, including measures sponsored by Senators Harkham, Scootis, Bernardis, Scarsella Spanton, Conrad, Ryan, Jimenez, and others. The committee also considered Senate Print 1004A by Senator Brisport, which would amend the Criminal Procedure Law and Mental Hygiene Law to address prolonged detention of incapacitated individuals; Senator Palumbo supported the bill’s intent but objected to the mechanism, and the bill was reported to finance with Palumbo in the negative and Gallivan without recommendation. Senator Bailey’s Senate Print 4525, focused on language access in criminal procedure, drew supportive comments about ensuring non-English speakers are not denied justice, but it was reported with Senator Kavanagh without recommendation and Senators Murray and Palumbo in the negative. The committee also advanced Senate Print 5110A by Senator Scarcella Spanton, which would increase protections for HPD inspectors by making assaults on them a low-level felony; members expressed concern about increasing penalties but agreed the bill had merit, and it was reported with Kavanagh without recommendation and Brisport and Sepúlveda in the negative. The most extended discussion centered on Senate Print 3021C by Senator Hinchy, which would require a uniform tattoo policy for state and local law enforcement. Members debated First Amendment concerns, subjectivity in determining what is “offensive,” and whether the bill should set clearer guardrails or simply require agencies to adopt a policy. Supporters said the bill aimed to create statewide consistency and reflect changing norms around tattoos, while critics worried about subjective enforcement and potential constitutional issues. The bill was moved by Senator Myrie and reported, with Senators Sepúlveda and Brisport without recommendation. The meeting then adjourned after the chair thanked members for the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Arrington, just reading through the statement of purpose, it says allocate funds from the $30 million

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• each school campus, the number of employees trained in CPR, first aid, and the use of AEDs, and a statement

Committee: House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met on March 18 and considered two Senate bills. SB 1131 would require school districts and charter schools to report their AED inventory, CPR/AED training levels, and cardiac emergency response plans to ADE, which would compile the data; it also provides funding for AED purchases and maintenance. The committee adopted an amendment shifting the appropriation from the general fund to the industry-recognized certification and licensure reimbursement fund. The American Heart Association testified in support, emphasizing the need for better school cardiac preparedness. Several members raised concerns about using that fund because it supports student certification and licensure exams, but staff said the fund had an estimated $2 million balance and continued annual deposits. The bill was returned with a due pass recommendation by a 15-1 vote, with two members voting present. The committee then heard SB 1249, which would establish a dementia services program and require DHS to develop and maintain an Alzheimer’s disease state plan with stakeholder input. The bill appropriates $600,000 from the Health Services Lottery Moneys Fund. The Arizona government relations director for the Alzheimer’s Association testified in strong support, describing prior state planning efforts and current work on caregiver support, training, data collection, and grant applications, and noting that prior funding is expiring. Members asked whether the bill was meant to fund implementation or simply the plan, and the sponsor indicated it is written as a one-year appropriation but could be adjusted. Some members supported the policy but objected to taking money from a fund that supports maternal and child health programs such as Health Start and WIC, while others supported the measure and urged a sustainable funding source. The committee approved SB 1249 with a due pass recommendation by a 9-3 vote, with several members voting present.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, you made a statement that everyone serves at the will of the mayor and the city council.

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that was more of a statement than a question, but I will give Representative Cornilles the opportunity

Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee met on February 19, 2026, and first approved the minutes from its February 13 meeting. It then considered RS 33462, which would signal Idaho’s willingness to participate in a federal education freedom tax credit program and set up a framework for scholarship-granting organizations. Members raised questions about possible general fund impacts and the federal nature of the credit. A substitute motion to hold the RS for further committee debate failed on a roll call vote, and the original motion to introduce the RS and send it to the second reading calendar passed, with Representatives Barbieri, Shepherd, and Birch recorded as nays. The committee next heard RS 3302, a sales tax exemption proposal for the Salvation Army. Representative Cornilles said the bill was complicated and would not move beyond introduction this session, with more work to be done over the summer. Members asked about the organization’s federal tax-exempt status and the broader policy implications of granting similar exemptions to other groups. The RS was introduced. The committee also heard RS 33398, which would align Idaho’s partnership audit procedures with the federal model by allowing audits at the partnership level rather than separately for each partner. Supporters said this would improve efficiency for the Tax Commission and taxpayers, while members questioned whether reduced granularity could affect revenue capture; the RS was introduced. Finally, the committee considered RS 33417C1, a change affecting certain rural school districts with wind, geothermal, or solar energy revenue. Representative Furman said the proposal would adjust how tax distributions are calculated when a district no longer has a supplemental levy, using the county levy rate instead, and would apply only to geothermal and wind, not solar. The committee introduced the RS without objection. The meeting then adjourned, and members were told there would be no meeting the following day.