Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Um, it is a lottery process. It is an application process.
• So many of our special programs in Fayette County, there is an application process and then a lottery
• </c><00:29:39.360><c> It</c><00:29:39.520><c> is</c><00:29:39.600><c> an</c> &gt;&gt; Um it is a lottery
• It is an &gt;&gt; Um it is a lottery process. It is an application<00:29:40.399><c> process.
• </c> lottery selection for them to apply. lottery selection for them to apply.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the September meeting minutes, and heard presentations from Carter G. Woodson Academy in Lexington and related school programs in Fayette County Public Schools. School leaders described the academy as an all-male public school option focused on culture, belonging, and opportunity, with a mission to educate, empower, and equip young men academically, socially, and morally. They emphasized culturally responsive instruction, restorative practices, mentorship, brotherhood circles, and access to advanced coursework, dual enrollment, and career pathways. Student speakers highlighted school culture, leadership opportunities, and clubs such as SGA, Beta Club, FFA, and the Bow Tie Club, along with service and community engagement. Presenters said the academy began in 2012, is housed with Frederick Douglass High School, uses an application and lottery process, and can serve up to about 350 students but is intentionally kept near 300 because of space. They reported 302 enrolled students, about 38 seniors, a 100% graduation rate, 95% average attendance, 100% postsecondary success, and $1.8 million in scholarship offers last year. They also shared demographic and achievement data, noting growth in MAP scores, strengths in reading and writing, and math as an ongoing focus area. The school said 90% of high school scholars are taking at least one dual credit class this year, and some students have earned opportunities at selective programs such as Gatton Academy and Craft Academy. Committee members praised the school’s results and asked about enrollment, funding, and whether the model could be replicated statewide. School leaders said the program is fully funded through Fayette County Public Schools, could be replicated with committed staff and training, and that teachers receive preparation through the Gearing Institute to better understand how boys learn. They also noted that Fayette County has other specialized programs, including girls’ academies and other options for underrepresented students. Members expressed interest in long-term tracking of graduates, and the school said it is preparing to study outcomes as the first graduating class approaches its 10-year anniversary.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, there would then be an impact on the last two who applied, or would it be a lottery system?
• </c> applied or would it be lottery system? applied or would it be lottery system?
• They have a lottery system that they do. Private schools have to make such determinations as well.
• They they<01:20:21.440><c> have</c><01:20:21.520><c> a</c><01:20:21.679><c> lottery</c><01:20:22.080>
• </c> they have a lottery system that they do. they have a lottery system that they do.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 69, which would require local school boards to publicly vote on whether to accept or reject charitable gifts or donations, prompted by a case in which a church offered to pay off school lunch debt but the offer was refused and families were sued instead. Senator Keith Murphy said the bill is intended to force transparency and public accountability in similar situations, while acknowledging that boards may still reject gifts with strings attached or for ethical reasons. Members raised questions about anonymity, privacy, and whether school boards already have authority to address meal debt before litigation. Murphy said the bill was aimed at cases where money is refused and families are sued, and he said he would accept amendments to make the vote requirement apply to both accepted and rejected gifts. The hearing on the bill was then closed. The committee then took up Senate Bill 206, which requires public schools to adopt policies limiting student cell phone use during the school day. Trisha Milo, presenting for Senator Rashardi, said the bill is meant to improve focus, reduce distraction and cyberbullying, and create more consistent policies across districts, while still allowing exceptions for medical, disability, language support, and instructional needs. Committee members questioned whether districts would retain flexibility, whether the bill should apply to charter schools and other devices, and whether the annual policy-update requirement and enforcement language were too prescriptive. Milo said districts would still have flexibility in how they write their policies and that she would seek clarification from the senator on several drafting questions. Becky Wilson of the New Hampshire School Boards Association testified in support of the general concept of a cell phone policy, saying many districts already have some form of policy, though not all do, and that existing sample policies are outdated. She said the annual update requirement would likely be burdensome and that the enforcement language seemed intended to ensure administrative involvement rather than teacher discipline, but she suggested the wording may need revision. Members also discussed whether very small districts or districts without schools should be covered and whether the bill should better distinguish between classroom enforcement and student discipline. The chair closed the hearing on Senate Bill 206 after no further testimony, and the committee moved on to the next bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are interested in the change in our antlerless lottery deer permit areas.
• hunters are allowed to take an either-sex deer, while our firearms deer hunters must enroll in the lottery
• </c><01:26:32.280><c> deer</c> the change in our Anis Lottery deer the change in our Anis Lottery deer
• 26:43.560><c> to</c><01:26:43.760><c> take</c><01:26:44.199><c> um</c><01:26:44.320><c> an</c> the lottery
• in order to take um an the lottery in order to take um an either<01:26:44.760><c> sex</c><01:26:45.119

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• All lottery revenue, any lottery profit, needs to, by statute and constitution, be used for education
• 13:19.600><c> all</c> those are the two main components all those are the two main components all lottery
• <01:13:20.400><c> Revenue</c><01:13:21.040><c> any</c><01:13:21.280><c> Lottery</c><01:13:21.920><c>
• profit</c><01:13:22.719><c> needs</c> lottery Revenue any Lottery profit needs lottery Revenue any Lottery

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee met for an organizational opening session in which the chair, Ken Weyler, called the committee to order and members introduced themselves. The introductions established the committee’s leadership and membership, including Vice Chair Dan McGuire, ranking member Mary Jane Wallner, deputy ranking member Karen Eil, clerk Jerry Griffin, and other members from both parties. Many members briefly described prior legislative service and professional backgrounds, with several noting prior experience on Finance or related budget committees. Chair Weyler then outlined committee procedures and expectations. He emphasized that Finance handles spending bills and fiscal notes, that bills will generally be heard by the full committee and then referred to the appropriate division, and that executive sessions may be used to save time when positions are clear. He reviewed rules on attendance, dress, phones, paperwork handling, committee replacements, conflict of interest and recusal, and the process for testimony, including that members should listen without debating witnesses and that sponsors of bills must recuse themselves from questioning witnesses on their own bills. He also described the committee’s structure and workload, noting three divisions and the role of legislative budget staff. Weyler said the committee would likely see bills from many policy committees that have fiscal impacts, and he encouraged policy committees to find offsets within their own areas rather than assume new spending will be added. No bills were heard and no votes were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I was noticing a lot this past winter of people just parking in them as if they had won the lottery
• And I was noticing a lot this past winter of people just parking in them as if they had won the lottery
• And I was noticing a lot this past winter of people just parking in them as if they had won the lottery

Bills: SB24 , SB83 , SB142 , SB140 , SB94 , SB24 , SB83 , SB142 , SB140 , SB94 , HB132 , HB37 , HB51 , HB105 , HB54 , HB7 , HB158 , HB188 , HB189 , HB111 , HB13 , HB192 , HB149 , HB132 , HB37 , HB51 , HB105 , HB54 , HB7 , HB158 , HB188 , HB189 , HB111 , HB13 , HB192 , HB149

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: body-worn camera, public records, law enforcement transparency, recording disclosure, civil rights, adult-size changing table, changing station, accessible restroom, public bathroom, public building, public entity, ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act, accessibility, restroom renovation, new construction, grant program, state grant, local government facilities, historic property

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Lottery has a couple FTEs they've requested for additional engagement with retailers
• Department of Lottery has a couple FTE.
• forward to talking to you a little bit more, especially about an idea that I talked to the Florida Lottery

Bills: S7010

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: Roth contributions, deferred compensation, retirement savings, Florida Statutes, tax benefits

Summary: The Senate Committee on Appropriations met to take up SB 7010 by Senator Mayfield, which would authorize Roth post-tax contribution options in state and local deferred compensation plans. The bill was briefly explained, received one appearance in support, had no debate, and was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then heard a lengthy presentation from the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget on the governor’s recommended $117.4 billion “Floridians’ First Budget.” The presentation highlighted major spending areas including education, health care, public safety, transportation, environmental restoration, and economic development. Key proposals included increased FEFP funding for K-12 schools, teacher salary funding, higher education support, Everglades and water quality funding, emergency preparedness reserves, corrections staffing and pay increases, law enforcement recruitment bonuses, cybersecurity, and affordable housing and infrastructure investments. Members asked extensive questions about property tax reserve planning, litigation funding, emergency response fund balances and expenditures, the use of federal reimbursement for the Everglades detention facilities, the animal abuse hotline, Hope Florida, corrections staffing, and the proposed reduction in ADAP eligibility for HIV/AIDS medication assistance. A member of the public also testified at length about concerns that the ADAP changes would harm access to life-saving medications and alleged improper shifting of program funds. Committee members and the presenter acknowledged follow-up questions on several items, but no additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond the favorable report on SB 7010 and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• education for the committee of higher education Ava 2918 by shaking really into the ball of the state lottery
• committee on ways and means hjr 139 by Shaheen Proposing constitute amendment to abolish the state lottery
• committee on ways and means a share 143 by low proposing a constitution Amendment to abolish the state lottery

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My district is no stranger to lottery tickets, scratch-offs...
• is no choices just to get by my district is no stranger<00:51:51.480><c> to</c><00:51:51.760><c> lottery
• </c><05:43:34.878><c> regulation</c><05:43:35.478><c> they</c> Infamous washing machine regulation they
• Infamous washing machine regulation they love<05:43:35.920><c> talking</c><05:43:36.240><c> about</c
• , all right, say you don't like those washing machine regulations, make your argument to Congress.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• His grandmother was cut up into pieces by vending dogs, and they had to constantly go fight, and he supposedly

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee first handled several criminal justice bills related to evidence, juror privacy, probation, and sex offender supervision. HB 95, by Rep. Lecombe, updates an older statute to allow electronic access to videotaped forensic interviews of protected persons for prosecutors, defense counsel, courts, and other authorized persons; it was reported favorably. HB 55, by Rep. Villio, prohibits public disclosure of juror identifying information such as names, addresses, and contact information; after testimony from District Attorney Tony Clayton about juror harassment and intimidation, the committee adopted a small amendment removing outdated language and reported the bill favorably with amendments. HB 125, by Rep. Horton, revises supervised release for certain sex offenders to address jurisdiction and notification issues, especially when violations occur outside Louisiana; after testimony from DOC and probation and parole officials and a witness describing victim-protection monitoring, it was reported favorably with amendments. HB 158, also by Rep. Horton, increases the maximum custodial treatment period for technical probation violations from 90 to 180 days, but witnesses raised concerns that the language was too broad and could impose extra jail time beyond treatment; the author agreed to work on clarifying language before floor debate, and the bill was reported favorably. HB 169, by Rep. Horton, makes probationers or parolees responsible for extradition costs if they are able to pay, and it was reported favorably. The committee then considered HB 133, by Rep. Newell, which strengthens penalties and treatment requirements for battery of a school teacher and related offenses. A large amendment package was adopted to add aggravated battery and second-degree battery involving students or school employees, define terms, require counseling and evaluations in certain juvenile cases, and adjust juvenile disposition provisions. Teachers and supporters testified about assaults in schools and the need to protect educators, while district attorneys warned that some of the amended language—especially the shift to “serious bodily injury” and some definitional changes—could make prosecutions harder or create unintended constitutional issues. Rep. Newell agreed to continue working with prosecutors to tighten the language before the bill reaches the floor, and HB 133 was reported favorably as amended. Later, the committee heard HB 821 by Rep. McFarland, which moves the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools from GOSEP to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement; the change was described as largely administrative and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also took up HB 399 by Rep. Zerang, which extends the terminally ill/incapacitated inmate release window from 60 to 120 days. Secretary Gary Westcott and DOC officials explained that the program is tightly vetted, applies to inmates who are truly at end of life, and includes victim notification and maximum supervision; supporters, including medical and faith-based witnesses, emphasized dignity, hospice care, and the practical need for more time to complete release planning. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, HB 296 by Rep. Knox repeals the inactive Reentry Advisory Council and the Offender Rehabilitation Workforce Development Act, and HB 168 by Rep. Freiburg creates a transitional reentry program for female parolees within six months of release; both were presented as public-safety and reentry measures, with strong support from reentry advocates, business groups, and faith-based organizations, and both were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• His grandmother was cut up into pieces by vended dogs, and they had to constantly go fight, and he supposedly

Bills: HB54 , HB55 , HB125 , HB133 , HB158 , HB161 , HB168 , HB169 , HB191 , HB245 , HB280 , HB296 , HB399 , HB821 , HB995

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Keywords: parole, rehabilitation, mental health, substance abuse, criminal justice reform, alternative sentencing, juror confidentiality, public records, criminal procedure, privacy, court disclosure, sex offender, sex offense, child predator, registry, registration, notification, supervised release, probation and parole, juvenile offender

Transcript Highlights:

• And so Minnesota has the great opportunity with the lottery funds.
• Many people are familiar with the lottery funds that we've set up as an environmental trust fund here

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of the key changes are the lottery winnings checks.
• It's required to do a check on those for people that have won $3,000 or more on the lottery.

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• bill would amend provisions of the West Virginia Code relating to the pledge of funds from excess lottery
• The bill would authorize up to $12 million from excess lottery funds to be used to pay debt service for

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present and first approved the minutes from the prior meeting. It then reconsidered Committee Substitute for House Bill 5212, noting that an Education Committee amendment had been inadvertently omitted the day before; the vice chairman withdrew the prior motion to report the bill, and the committee returned to the bill with the technical Education Committee amendments pending. The transcript then moved through a long agenda of bills and supplemental appropriations, with the committee generally hearing brief explanations from counsel, occasional member questions, and then voting to adopt amendments and report measures to the full Senate. Among the substantive policy bills, the committee advanced House Bill 4007 on the Industrial Access Road Fund, allowing an additional possible $3 million transfer in a fiscal year, expanding eligible uses, and increasing county/municipal spending limits; House Bill 4765, which raises salaries for state police, teachers, and school service personnel and, via a strike-and-insert amendment, creates a market pay enhancement tied to county and regional income data; House Bill 5162, recodifying tax lien sale procedures and clarifying ownership and government-property tax treatment; House Bill 5382, extending the Neighborhood Investment Tax Credit Program to July 1, 2031; House Bill 5685, authorizing up to $150 million in revenue bonds backed by excess lottery funds for State Culture Center improvements; House Joint Resolution 42, placing a constitutional amendment on the ballot to raise the homestead exemption from $20,000 to $40,000; House Bill 4010, creating an airport hangar grant program and fund; House Bill 4404, increasing from $500 to $5,000 the amount volunteer fire departments may spend on training and fire prevention materials; House Bill 4592, requiring standardized campus safety mapping data for higher education institutions; House Bill 4784, extending and making retroactive a qualified opportunity zone business tax modification; and House Bill 5088, increasing retirement benefits for Division of Natural Resources police officers, with a one-time $4.25 million cash injection. The committee also reported several supplemental appropriations and originating bills, including Senate Bill 842 for the Spay Neuter Assistance Fund, Senate Bill 846 for Culture and History capital repairs, Senate Bill 872 for Natural Resources capital repairs (reduced to $10 million in committee substitute), Senate Bill 876 for Department of Health facilities, Senate Originating Bills 1 through 5 covering Culture and History, road funds, corrections IT and services, tobacco education, and the Adjutant General’s armory board transfer, respectively. Most items were adopted by voice vote; House Bill 4765’s strike-and-insert amendment was adopted after a division vote of 10-6. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• bill would amend provisions of the West Virginia Code relating to the pledge of funds from excess lottery
• The bill would authorize up to $12 million from excess lottery funds to be used to pay debt service for

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So you get no argument from me on the lottery, gambling boat, and all the other things that we have used
• So you get no argument for me as on the lottery, gambling boat, and all the other things that we've used

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Summary: The Special Committee on Veterans heard House Bill 2535 from Representative Don Mayhew, which would provide property tax relief for disabled veterans, Purple Heart recipients, and certain surviving spouses, with the bill’s main distinction being a funding mechanism based on tobacco-related taxes, including a cigarette tax increase and taxes on vape and other tobacco products. Mayhew said the bill is intended to fund the benefit at the state level rather than shifting the burden to counties, and he emphasized that it is a state property tax benefit, not tied to federal veterans benefits. Members discussed whether surviving spouses should keep the benefit if they remarry, whether the language should be narrowed or reduced, and whether dependent children or Gold Star families should be included more broadly. Testimony in support came from veterans and veterans’ advocates who said the bill would help disabled veterans and surviving spouses remain in their homes and would spread the cost statewide instead of leaving counties to absorb it. Some supporters also urged keeping Purple Heart recipients in the bill and expanding protections for surviving spouses and dependent children. One veteran witness said the funding mechanism made the bill more workable for local governments, while another said the benefit should not be reduced if a surviving spouse remarries. Opposition focused mainly on the tax structure. The Missouri Petroleum and Convenience Association opposed the funding mechanism, arguing that cigarettes are already heavily taxed, that Missouri’s border-state competitiveness could be harmed, that federal changes to hemp-derived products could undercut projected revenue, and that voters have rejected prior tobacco tax increases. A small-business witness also objected to the vape and hemp tax burden. The Department of Revenue provided fiscal information, estimating that the bill could raise significant state revenue but also noting that some projected revenue depends on current hemp law and that cigarette-tax increases could reduce cigarette sales and shift purchases to other products. No vote was taken, and the hearing was concluded after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• a separate inventory system for our own department inventory, but all of your ATVs, trucks, snow machines
• </c> your ATVs trucks snow machines your ATVs trucks snow machines everything<00:19:41.520><c> is</c>
• and ATVs and dirt bikes as snow machines and ATVs and dirt bikes as we<00:56:14.280><c> talked</c><00
• Patrol a snow machine a four-wheel drive<01:04:45.599><c> Cruiser</c><01:04:46.599><c> uh</c><01:04:
• Commission and the Hampshire Lottery Commission and the Public<01:28:00.159><c> Utilities</c><01:28:

Committee: House Fish and Game and Marine Resources

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In New York City, they were having vending machines proposed that would be free, and you could pull out
• In New York City, they were having vending machines proposed that would be free, and you could pull out
• In New York City, they were having vending machines proposed that would be free, and you could pull out

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• walk into a convenience store and pull a bag of chips off of the shelf, if that is being sold in a vending
• machine in a school, it's already a different version, because it already, the one that's sold in the

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The school holds a lottery every year for attendance, and due to its small size, the school must turn
• away hundreds of applicants each year who don't make the lottery.
• every year for attendance and lottery every year for attendance and due<03:34:38.560><c> to</c><03:34
• </c><03:34:45.479><c> the</c><03:34:45.760><c> kids</c> year who don't make the lottery the kids year
• who don't make the lottery the kids were<03:34:46.199><c> talking</c><03:34:46.520><c> about</c><03:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee began by announcing that afternoon hearings, including House Bill 283, would be moved to Representatives Hall because of expected public interest. It then took up House Bill 671, which would establish a kindergarten literacy readiness program. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Mark Pearson, described the measure as a way to close gaps in early reading readiness and said it was intended as a first step, with only a placeholder appropriation while details are developed. He framed it as a targeted effort to help children who are not entering first grade ready to read. Testimony on HB 671 was largely supportive. Representatives asked about the bill’s structure, whether a specific program had been identified, how it would interact with play-based learning, and why the provider was limited to a registered nonprofit. Waterford.org representatives Teresa Rosenberger and Rob Riley testified in support, describing Waterford Upstart as a home-based, evidence-based early learning program already used in New Hampshire. They said the program provides adaptive instruction, family coaching, and technology support, including computers, tablets, internet access, and translation services in more than 100 languages. They also said the model has been successful in New Hampshire, including a Nashua pilot and later statewide efforts, and that similar legislation has existed in other states. Rep. Jonah Wheeler also spoke in support of the bill. The chair then closed the hearing on HB 671. After a fiscal note for HB 671 was distributed, the committee moved to House Bill 781, which would require school districts to adopt policies for a cell phone-free education and includes an appropriation. The transcript cuts off as Rep. Litchfield was introduced to testify on that bill, so no testimony, debate, or vote on HB 781 is included in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> fund</c> Lastly, we have lottery fund Lastly, we have lottery fund utilization.<01:08:07.720><c> Uh
• </c><01:08:14.440><c> Uh</c><01:08:14.560><c> they</c> proceeds of their state lottery.
• Uh they proceeds of their state lottery.
• So different ones that include everywhere from lottery taxes, tourism taxes, general fund.
• </c><02:51:09.880><c> taxes,</c> include everywhere from lottery taxes, include everywhere from lottery

Committee: Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources

Keywords: 916, all