Video & Transcript : 'nursing programs' :
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ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Appropriations Apr 3rd, 2025 at 08:30 am
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- The bigger part of the data was based on the nursing programs, saying that the building was not sufficient
- to provide them what they need for their nursing programs.
- So moving the nursing program to the medical school, and some of the other ancillary services, would
- So $1 million for the program, and then $200,000... ...pilot program establishment.
- Is this replacing ESSER funds, this program? Mr. Chairman, Committee, no, this is a new program.
Committee:
House Appropriations
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 2271, which would formally place adult residential facilities in code and rebase their Medicaid reimbursement rates. Sponsor Chairman Ruby and HHS staff explained that these facilities, often serving people with dementia or acquired brain injury, are reimbursed at a much lower rate than skilled nursing care and help reduce bottlenecks in higher-level facilities. Members questioned how the program differs from basic care and nursing facility memory care, and the bill was referred to the HR section for deeper review before possible action on Monday.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 2396, as amended, which would authorize an independent third-party performance audit of the Department of Commerce and the North Dakota Development Fund, with findings shared with the state auditor. Sponsors said the proposal was prompted by concerns raised in testimony and that a private audit could begin faster than a state audit. The committee adopted an amendment adding an emergency clause and directing the report to the Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee, then passed the bill 20-0 with 3 absent.
Next, Representative Clemine presented Senate Bills 2226, 2036, and 2037. SB 2226 would presume an incarcerated person indigent at initial appearance so counsel can be provided at that critical stage; the commission said the appropriation would fund contract attorney hours, and the bill was sent to HR for further review. SB 2036 would create procedures for determining juvenile fitness to proceed in delinquency cases, with a $500,000 appropriation for mental health evaluations, and SB 2037 would begin a juvenile criminal code framework and include a $300,000 appropriation for fitness-to-proceed evaluations; both were also referred to HR, with some concern raised about staffing and overlapping functions.
After a short break, the committee heard education-related appropriations bills. SB 2234 would replace expired ESSER funding for Choice Ready grants, but members noted the program was not included in the K-12 budget and sent it to E&E for comparison with existing appropriations. SB 2286, a University of North Dakota request for a new nursing school facility, drew extensive discussion about the age and condition of the current building and the size and scope of the project; the committee ultimately adopted a do-not-pass motion 22-0. SB 2213, the “science of mathematics” bill modeled on the science of reading initiative, would fund math professional development and implementation; it was also referred to E&E for further review. The committee then briefly passed the Racing Commission budget, SB 2023, and began discussion of the Trust Lands budget, SB 2013, including a proposed retention increase for investment-related positions.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HLT/HSH Joint Public Hearing - Wed Mar 19, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- So, please it's a wonderful program.
- </c><00:27:54.320><c> I'm</c> Doctor of Pharmacy program. I'm Doctor of Pharmacy program.
- </c> duty nursing and not home care agencies. duty nursing and not home care agencies.
- </c> four-year program, would more stay put? four-year program, would more stay put?
- I'm a pediatric nurse practitioner with the Hawaiʻi program, and I serve as a clinical consultant to
Summary:
The joint hearing opened with SB 1442, which would update the statute governing the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division and clarify its role as the state Medicaid provider of intensive mental health services for children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbance. The Department of Health testified in strong support, saying the current statute is outdated and warning against any unfunded mandate because the division relies on federal funding and faces uncertainty about future resources. Written testimony from several organizations also supported the bill. The committees took no immediate action and said they would hold decision-making until later.
The hearing then moved to SB 479 on ABLE savings accounts. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Hawaii Disability Rights Center supported the measure, arguing that ABLE accounts help people with disabilities save money without losing benefits and that the state needs more outreach and staffing to expand participation. A testifier with a disability said the bill would help people keep Social Security and housing stability. The chair indicated an intention to move the bill forward, and asked about funding; the discussion settled on a requested appropriation of about $75,000 for incentives.
Next, SB 1245 on reimbursement of pharmacists drew broad support from the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, rural pharmacies, the Hawaii Primary Care Association, and others, who said the bill would improve access to care, especially on neighbor islands and in rural communities, and help pharmacies participate in 340B-related services. The Insurance Division and HMSA raised concerns about bill language, saying it could be read to cover pharmacists outside an insurer’s network and that the scope of reimbursable services needed clarification; the pharmacists’ association said the bill is intended to apply only to in-network pharmacists and should continue to reference existing scope-of-practice law. The hearing also took up SB 1279, which would allow pharmacists to authorize medications via telehealth under certain circumstances. The State Board of Pharmacy opposed the bill, citing patient safety, a pilot project with reported errors, concerns about controlled substances and unregulated technicians, and the view that in-person pharmacist services are safer and already available on the affected islands. Several pharmacies and health care groups supported the measure as a way to preserve 340B access and improve service on Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi, while some local pharmacies said they already provide in-person service and opposed remote dispensing. No votes were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair, members, House File 56 combines two programs into the Safe Schools Revenue program, keeps the
- to encompass the uses of both that program and the student support personnel aid program.
- program.
- </c> school nurse a licensed school nurse school nurse a licensed school nurse also<00:09:34.279><c>
- the Walkabouts program.
Committee:
House Education Finance
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Health Policy Apr 1st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- evaluation of program.
- It has to do the whole program on private duty nursing.
- Several different programs.
- Care Centers Program Safety NET Program and the Sexual Abuse Treatment program Safety NET Program and
- the Sexual Abuse Treatment program and then the title 4 programs, these programs off they under DOH.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Assembly Business and Professions and Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Mar 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And at this current level, it's a plus-two program.
- And then the second is to advocate for more programs in underserved areas.
- Ohio State has a formal APRT program, and UNC Charlotte is scheduled to launch its APRT program later
- My name is Marianne Vosconi, and I am a registered nurse.
- And Eliza does go to school, and she has one-on-one nurse, LVN nurse.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee 5/5/25
Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> program to the tune of $1.8 million. program to the tune of $1.8 million.
- </c> received Medicaid funds like a nursing received Medicaid funds like a nursing home<00:15:53.519>
- Is there a program here?
- Is there a program here?
- Is there a program this happening right? Is there a program here?
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Higher Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- care teams and in nursing homes.
- House Bill 1461 seeks to expand this scholarship program to students enrolled in practical nursing programs
- programs.
- So if there... ...where there are no community college practical nursing programs.
- As a college recovery program.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Higher Education
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Higher Education held its fourth public hearing, opening with remarks about the importance of protecting and expanding access to higher education amid federal disinvestment. The chairs also announced future informational hearings on the impact of federal cuts and on ASAP models. The hearing then focused on several bills, beginning with S. 951/H. 1462, An Act to Support College Students in Recovery, which would require recovery-focused housing on public campuses and expand naloxone access and overdose training. Senator Rausch, medical professionals, students, and advocates testified in support, emphasizing the prevalence of overdose risk among college students, the value of recovery housing, and the need for campus naloxone; committee members asked about implementation details and the existing state pilot program. Deb Schmill and Rep. Tarski gave especially personal testimony in favor of the bill, and the committee discussed broadening the naloxone language to opioid reversal agents.
The committee also heard testimony on H. 1461, which would expand MassReconnect scholarships to practical nursing students at vocational and technical schools to help address the long-term care workforce shortage. Rep. Stanley argued that vocational schools graduate more practical nursing students than community colleges and serve many low-income students in areas without nearby community college programs. The committee then took up H. 1433, which would require public higher education institutions to accept IEPs and 504 plans as sufficient documentation for disability accommodations. Advocates from the National Center for Learning Disabilities described the high cost and burden of repeat testing, the lifelong nature of disabilities, and the need for more uniform access across campuses; committee members raised questions about documentation freshness, campus autonomy, and how to preserve the integrity of accommodations.
Later, the committee heard S. 919/H. 1454 on modernizing the Community College Endowment Match Program so community colleges could receive state matching funds for current-use donations as well as endowments and capital gifts. Community college foundation leaders said the change would help fund immediate student needs such as food pantries, child care, emergency aid, and equipment. The hearing then moved to faculty-related bills: S. 933 on UMass faculty rights and tenure transparency, S. 930/H. 3948 on contingent faculty rights and career advancement, and S. 940/H. 1429 on an Adjunct Bill of Rights. Testimony from faculty and union representatives focused on low pay, lack of benefits, job insecurity, and the need for clearer pathways to full-time positions and fairer treatment for adjuncts who teach large shares of courses. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and asked clarifying questions.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- This is for nursing investigations upon request from the Board of Nursing.
- This is for nursing investigations upon request from the Board of Nursing.
- This is for actuarial services for the Medicaid program.
- This is for the Nursing Assistant competency evaluation program.
- investigations requested by the Board of Nursing on nurses.
Committee:
All ALC-REVIEW
Summary:
The committee met to review a supplemental agenda item, procurement rule revisions, methods of finance, discretionary grants, contracts, reports, and a member disclosure. The supplemental agenda was accepted, and the Office of State Procurement’s rule revisions were approved after Jessica Patterson explained they were driven by 2025 legislative changes, including Act 782, CASO Consulting recommendations, and updates to sole source, bid, protest, and debarment provisions. The methods of finance and discretionary grants were also approved, covering a range of university capital projects, health and human services grants, historic preservation awards, and tobacco prevention and cessation programs.
The committee then reviewed RFQs and six ratifications. The ratifications included a Workforce Connections payment to ACT WorkKeys for services provided during a contract gap, a Department of Health ratification for water-leak repairs, a large Department of Public Safety ratification for Motorola’s Arkansas Wireless Information Network upgrade, a Veterans Affairs HVAC ratification, an ADFA medical services ratification, and a UA Little Rock painting contract ratification. Members questioned the Public Safety ratification at length about why the expired Motorola contract was not caught sooner and why it took months after discovery to come forward; agency officials said the work was tied to bond funding and was not tracked in ASIS, and the chair urged agencies to develop better monitoring procedures.
The committee approved a large slate of construction, intergovernmental, out-of-state, and in-state contracts, including many recurring service agreements for DHS, higher education institutions, corrections, health agencies, and state support functions. Several members asked about specific contracts, including aerial application services for correctional farms and a Southern Arkansas University custodial contract, and staff or agency representatives provided brief explanations. The meeting concluded with review of reports and approval of a member disclosure involving Representative Andrew Collins’ investment interest in a company leasing property to Arkansas Rehabilitation Services.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Continuing Care Retirement Communities Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- You have assisted living or another supportive living section, nursing care.
- So as Steve mentioned earlier, all of the nursing facility, any licensed nursing facility... ...mentioned
- earlier, all of the nursing facility, any licensed nursing facility that's part of the CCRC is licensed
- And then we have a small 12-bed skilled nursing facility.
- You did it with nursing homes.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Aging and Independence commission meeting focused on continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), with members and presenters discussing how the model works, consumer protections, and areas for future review. After member introductions, Jennifer Fuller summarized survey results showing the top priorities as financial viability and affordability, consumer protections and rights, and regulation/monitoring standards. The commission said those issues would guide its work plan, while also keeping staffing, definitions, and federal support on the radar.
Alyssa Sherman of LeadingAge Massachusetts and Jim Freiling of Brookhaven at Lexington gave a detailed overview of CCRCs, explaining that they combine housing with health-related services under long-term contracts and typically require entrance fees plus monthly fees. They described the three common contract types: Type A/life care, where costs stay relatively stable if residents need more care; Type B, which offers some included or discounted care with higher costs later; and Type C, fee-for-service, with lower entrance fees but higher costs if care needs increase. They also discussed nonprofit governance, resident involvement, and the role of state and Attorney General disclosure requirements. Several members raised concerns about affordability, refund timing, and the need to distinguish true CCRCs from other senior housing marketed similarly; presenters said refunds are often tied to reoccupancy and that their organizations are collecting data on refund timelines and contract terms.
The discussion also covered resident rights and governance, including whether residents should have seats on nonprofit boards. Christine Griffin said her community lacks resident board representation and urged the commission to consider a state requirement, while others said resident associations and direct engagement with boards can be more effective than mandatory board seats. Members also discussed transparency around monthly fee increases, financial screening before admission, and the importance of clear marketing so consumers understand what they are buying. No votes were taken. The meeting ended with logistical updates, including a tentative public hearing date of June 3, 2025, a note that the next meeting would focus on regulation and monitoring standards, and a reminder that the commission would continue refining its work plan based on survey feedback.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division Apr 2nd, 2025 at 02:00 pm
Appropriations - Human Resources Division
Transcript Highlights:
- The drug court program has been a really good program. $990,000.
- The Drug Court program has been a really good program, at least in Cass County.
- I also contacted a private nursing home director and asked him if they would actually use the program
- I also contacted a private nursing home director and asked him if they would actually use the program
- It's kind of like a match for the program.
Summary:
The HR division continued work on the behavioral health budget, with members revisiting several funding items and generally agreeing to hold provider inflation increases until the full division picture is clearer. They tentatively supported additional funding for Community Connect and Free Through Recovery, as well as increases for the drug court program and peer support, while clarifying that some items were already in the House version and others were one-time or grant-related expenditures.
The committee spent considerable time on a proposed $2 million behavioral health services program for nursing homes and basic care facilities. Senator Mathern brought revised language to describe a capitated payment model for training, consultation, and direct patient care for residents with medically based behavioral disorders and disruptive behaviors. Some members remained skeptical and wanted to see the amendment before deciding, but the discussion centered on whether the funding would help nursing homes accept patients who otherwise end up in state hospitals or acute care settings.
Members also discussed several one-time funding items, including electronic health record and legacy system upgrades, network redundancy for the state hospital, partial hospitalization/intensive day treatment expansion, and a bathroom remodel at the Southeast Human Service Center. The committee restored the bathroom project to the original $972,000 estimate after concerns that the House reduction would not cover the needed ADA and plumbing work. They also debated a $12.96 million behavioral health facility grant for Altru in Grand Forks, with some members opposing it and others supporting it as a regional service expansion, but ultimately set it aside for later consideration.
The meeting ended with staff flagging other sections of the bill, including the opioid settlement advisory language, the state hospital steering committee, behavioral health education grants, and the system of care grant. The chair announced that medical services would be taken up the next day, and members agreed to adjourn after planning to revisit unresolved behavioral health items and vote on the held bill later.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Feb 19th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I AM EXCITED ABOUT OUR PROGRAM TODAY.
- PARTICULARLY NURSING AND A LOT OF THE ADVANCED MANUFACTURING PROGRAMS.
- IF YOU ARE TECHNICAL PROGRAM OR WELDING OR IN THE NURSING PROGRAM YOU ARE GETTING THE 1.5 WEIGHT.
- YOU KNOW TO HIRE SOMEONE IN THE NURSING PROGRAM AND NURSING IS PERHAPS DIFFERENT IT IS YOU KNOW COMPETING
- PROGRAM.
CT
Connecticut 2026 Regular Session
Finance Advisory Committee May 14th Meeting May 14th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- A real challenge with that program.
- Program within our Department of Veterans Affairs that pays minimum wage.
- trying to get nurses and nurses aides into those positions, and I don't think that that is specific
- So individuals in our independent program pay a program fee, and that's based on a percentage of their
- How much farther are we below the competition in regards to nursing staff?
Summary:
The Finance Advisory Committee approved the minutes of its April 2 meeting and then took up three budget transfers. The first, FAC 2026-6 for the Office of the State Treasurer, moved $75,000 from personal services to other expenses to pay for consultant help applying for federal energy credits under the Inflation Reduction Act’s direct pay provisions. Treasurer’s office staff said the agency had one open position and several others pending posting, and members discussed how the transfer related to vacant positions and the committee’s budget display.
The second item, FAC 2026-7 for the Office of the State Controller, transferred $700,000 from personal services to other expenses to cover higher Core-CT software maintenance and licensing costs. Comptroller staff said the office had 21 open positions, most in Core-CT, and explained that the system, implemented in 2003, receives regular quarterly and monthly updates from Oracle. Members also discussed how the system serves payroll, HR, purchasing, accounting, and related functions for many state agencies, including UConn and the Board of Regents.
The final item, FAC 2026-8 for the Department of Veterans Affairs, transferred $700,000 from personal services, the veterans opportunity pilot, and headstones accounts to other expenses for year-end operational needs. Commissioner Ron Welch said most vacancies were in the skilled nursing facility, food service, and physical plant, with staffing challenges especially for nurses and aides. He also explained that the veterans opportunity pilot never fully launched, that the Institutional General Welfare Fund has been depleted and the agency now relies more on general fund support, and that the department faces rising food, utility, and pharmaceutical costs, including a federal VA reimbursement change that will leave the state responsible for medication costs by 2027. All three transfers were approved, and the meeting adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services Feb 4th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm a client of the AIDS Drug Assistance Program. I'm a client of the AIDS Drug Assistance Program.
- Now, there are some 340B-type programs.
- The bill makes this program permanent.
- The bill makes this program permanent, with a statewide program and expansion into more diverse areas
- We require nurses now as a part of their continuing education program to have a two-hour course in human
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard public comment on several health and human services funding concerns before moving through a series of bills. Testimony at the start focused on the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, with a client warning that proposed changes to eligibility and drug access could disrupt care for thousands of people living with HIV/AIDS, and urging the Legislature to intervene. Another speaker asked for support for the iBudget waiver, saying provider costs have risen and requesting about a 7% increase for direct support professionals to help stabilize the developmental disabilities workforce.
The committee then unanimously reported favorably several bills. SB 428 expanded Florida’s swim lesson voucher program from children ages 0-4 to ages 1-7, based on drowning-prevention recommendations. SB 68 required hospitals with emergency departments to adopt pediatric emergency care policies, training, equipment standards, and readiness assessments; an amendment aligned reporting dates with the House version. SB 1718 changed the definition of when an adult visitor in an out-of-home placement becomes a non-visitor, reducing repeated background checks, made the Step Into Success pilot permanent, adjusted foster youth stipends, and created a best-practices program within the Florida Institute for Child Welfare.
The committee also approved SB 606, which adds drowning-prevention and safe-bathing education to postpartum materials provided to new parents and requires hospitals and birthing centers to document compliance; members highlighted bathtub drownings as a key concern. SB 96 expanded eligibility for the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program to veterans up to 400% of the federal poverty level, while an amendment removed the bill’s specific appropriation so funding can be handled in the budget process. SB 340 required nursing students to complete a two-hour human trafficking course before taking the NCLEX. SB 1480 created a grandfathering process for certain health care providers in federally designated areas of critical need if an area is de-designated, to avoid disrupting patient-provider relationships. All bills were reported favorably, and the committee adjourned at the end of the agenda.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services Apr 10th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- The whole program is geared to taking care of the children.
- The whole program is geared to taking care of the individual child.
- Every other managed care program is under AHCA.
- AHCA is handling the whole program now.
- Senate Bill 788 is a veterans nursing homes bill.
Summary:
The committee met to consider a large agenda of health and human services bills, moving quickly because of a two-hour time limit. Early measures reported favorably included SB 976 on challenges to court-appointed psychologists in family law cases, SB 306 on Medicaid provider network access and after-hours availability, and SB 584 on housing supports for college students and youth in extended foster care. SB 1412 on home health regulation modernization also passed, with one support appearance from the Home Care Association.
Members then approved several bills focused on research and care delivery, including SB 1800 creating a Parkinson’s disease research consortium at USF with an adopted amendment adding academic medical centers, SB 524 adding Duchenne muscular dystrophy to newborn screening, SB 1156 revising a Medicaid home health aide program for medically fragile children, and SB 1490 transferring and redesigning the managed care program for critically ill children. SB 1174 on foster home licensure transfers, SB 1620 implementing mental health and substance use commission recommendations, SB 1568 revising e-prescribing exemptions, and SB 788 on veterans nursing home beds were also reported favorably.
The committee had more extensive debate on SB 1270, the Department of Health agency package, which included provisions on vaccination status, medical marijuana background screening, licensing and compact issues, and sovereign immunity for volunteer dental workers; it passed after an amendment and several members voiced concerns about patient treatment and “voting power” language. SB 1606 on patient access to records drew strong opposition from providers and health information professionals over privacy, HIPAA, and administrative burdens; it was initially reported unfavorably, then reconsidered and ultimately passed after a motion to reconsider. Other bills reported favorably included SB 1736 on insulin administration by direct support professionals and relatives, SB 1808 on patient refunds from providers, SB 1842 on referral disclosure of network status, SB 1354 on behavioral health managing entity oversight, SB 1768 on stem cell therapies with informed consent requirements, and SPB 7032 on presumptive Medicaid eligibility for permanently disabled individuals, which was submitted and reported as a committee bill. The meeting ended after all agenda items were handled and the committee adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We have had 24-hour nursing care since then. I'll call Jessica's nursing team her dream team.
- Jessica gets better care with her nurses than any local hospital or nursing home.
- skilled nursing homes in Texas.
- How many people does the program keep out of jail? Those participants who were in the program?
- Texas Families Program.
Committee:
Senate Finance
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- . nurses. nurses.
- I'm a family nurse practitioner and the DNP program director at Metro State University.
- Doctor of Nursing Practice program at St.
- Doctor of Nursing Practice program at St.
- of nursing.
Committee:
Senate Finance
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Is the moratorium on assisted living and nursing homes, new nursing homes?
- living and nursing homes, new nursing<00:24:32.080><c> homes.
- I've known nursing home staff.
- I've had customers in my insurance agency in nursing homes. I've known nursing home staff.
- </c> HCBS innovation grants program. HCBS innovation grants program.
Committee:
Senate Human Services
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I mean, programs like the FAME program.
- Their welding program is incredible, and the electrical line worker program, which is very important
- We have seven core programs, and these programs are centered around the needs of Texans and the needs
- , include 232,000 registered nurses in Texas, assisted by nearly 60,000 vocational nurses.
- been a nurse.
Committee:
Senate Nominations
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
February 24, 2026 - 03:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- It creates a new Year 5 ISSA grant program.
- nurses to every kind of nurse and philosophically, I think that's going way too far.
- Joe Puckett with Florida Association of Nurse Practitioners waiving in support.
- These people are the backbone of this program.
- She understands the program and my family has what we need.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Oct 14th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- So again, a great program.
- So again, a great program.
- Look at the Overwatch program, which is a training program, to help teach people how to be aware, to
- It's not a federal program.
- Federal program for skilled nursing care and domiciliary care, assisted living facilities, but not for
Summary:
The committee first heard a presentation from Major General James Hartzell of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs on the agency’s outreach, benefits assistance, and state veterans nursing homes. He highlighted Florida’s large and growing veteran population, the decline in World War II and Vietnam-era veterans, and the increase in post-9/11 veterans moving to the state. Hartzell discussed the state veterans nursing home system, including a new Collier County facility that will include skilled nursing, assisted living, adult day health care, and outpatient therapy, and he said the department is also studying future adult day health care expansion and possible additional homes in underserved areas. He also reported on the dental program funded by the Legislature, saying 245 veterans were served in the first quarter of the fiscal year, with 1,631 procedures completed and more than $525,000 in savings, and he credited the added state veterans service officer positions with helping connect more veterans to benefits. Hartzell also noted a 13% year-over-year reduction in homeless veterans, emphasized mental health outreach through SaveFLVets.org and the Overwatch program, and announced a new deputy executive director, retired Colonel D.J. Reyes.
Members asked about the need for additional veterans homes in South Florida, the criteria used to site new homes, the homeless veteran reduction, and whether adult day health care could be added at existing facilities. Hartzell explained that federal criteria focus on the availability of private skilled nursing beds for veterans 65 and older, and that adult day health care is state-funded and being studied for broader deployment. He also said the department tracks where homeless veterans are concentrated and works with local partners and organizations like Tunnels to Towers to provide housing and services that reduce recidivism. The committee also discussed Florida’s national reputation for veteran support, including Veterans Month and the state’s culture of veteran awareness.
The committee then received a presentation from Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, on disaster response, recovery, and technology systems. Guthrie described the State Emergency Response Team, the new Florida Central Operations and Coordination Office in Auburndale, and the new State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee, which is expected to be fully operational by spring 2026 and will significantly expand capacity and hardening. He reviewed recovery efforts for Hurricanes Helene, Milton, Debbie, Idalia, Ian, Irma, Michael, Dorian, Sally, Nicole, and others, including sheltering, travel trailers, debris removal, and FEMA reimbursement totals. Guthrie said Florida removed more than 31.6 million cubic yards of debris from Helene and Milton in 90 days on a 24/7 basis, and he described Elevate Florida, the Florida Recovery Obligation Calculation (FROC), the DEMES platform, and WebEOC as tools to streamline recovery, mitigation, and intergovernmental coordination.
Members asked about flood-response resources for cities, the state’s use of pumps and mutual aid, and lessons learned from inland flooding after Milton. Guthrie said local governments should first use county and city mutual aid, then request state assistance when needed, and he encouraged more partnerships for staging and maintaining flood equipment. He also said future flood mitigation must address outdated development patterns, watershed flow, and the need for better drainage planning, while continuing temporary fixes and homeowner assistance programs. The committee ended with no votes or formal actions beyond adjournment.