Video & Transcript : 'retiree support' :
Page 486 of 500
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Select Committee on Racism, Hate, and Xenophobia Mar 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- like legal aid, housing support, and more have been counted since we began it in 2019.
- People must feel safe and supported when coming forward.
- People must feel safe and supported when coming forward.
- We didn't support it because he's Black. We supported it.
- We urge this body to support the full implementation of AB 91 as it was We urge this body to support
Summary:
The Select Committee on Racism, Hate, and Xenophobia met to hear from Los Angeles County officials and community advocates about rising hate, discrimination, and xenophobia, with opening remarks emphasizing the need for stronger anti-hate infrastructure, community-based reporting, and state support. Assemblymember Lowenthal noted the broader economic and social impacts of discrimination, and the committee framed the hearing around understanding local conditions and identifying legislative responses.
Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission Executive Director Robin Toma presented county hate-crime data showing record-high levels in 2024, with racial/ethnic hate crimes remaining the largest category and anti-Black hate crimes the most common. He also highlighted high levels of anti-Latino, anti-Jewish, anti-Muslim, anti-LGBTQ, and anti-transgender hate, the role of underreporting, and the county’s L.A. vs. Hate system for reporting and victim support. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said it uses hate-crime and hate-incident data to guide proactive patrols, community outreach, and training, and discussed the need to build trust amid immigration enforcement fears that discourage reporting.
Community organizations described how current political rhetoric and federal immigration enforcement are intensifying fear and underreporting. LULAC called for multilingual, culturally competent reporting systems, prevention education, and stronger support for grassroots organizations. The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles described severe anti-Semitism, increased security costs, and the need for safe worship protections, security grants, and Holocaust education. The NAACP emphasized the continuing impact of anti-Black racism and the need for cross-community solidarity, while the Los Angeles LGBT Center highlighted rising anti-trans violence and urged funding for gender-affirming care, LGBTQ centers, and reauthorization of California vs. Hate. CHIRLA and CAIR California both described heightened fear among immigrants and Muslims, workplace discrimination, and the need for stronger civil-rights protections, data collection, and community-based reporting.
No formal votes were taken. The discussion focused on policy ideas and funding priorities, including improved law-enforcement training, alternative sentencing or diversion for hate offenders, protections for houses of worship, and continued or expanded funding for California vs. Hate, Stop Hate, and related programs. Committee members and witnesses repeatedly stressed that hate is underreported, that words and leadership rhetoric matter, and that California should continue investing in prevention, response, and healing.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Transportation and Energy Committee Mar 11th, 2026
Transportation and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> throughout the state are so supportive throughout the state are so supportive of<00:14:00.959><c
- ><c> development</c> majority support solar development majority support solar development roughly<00
- So this bill is a problem for me, and I cannot support it. >> Okay.
- So this bill is a problem for me, and I cannot support it. >> Okay.
- So this bill is a problem for me, and I cannot support it. >> Okay.
Committee:
Senate Transportation and Energy
Keywords:
SB341, Alabama, veteran license plate, veteran tag, distinctive license tag, specialty plate, radiation exposure, atomic bomb testing, ionizing radiation, World War II veterans, Vietnam veterans, Korean War veterans, Cold War veterans, Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Inherent Resolve, Department of Veterans Affairs, probate judge
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Finance Division I (02/20/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- So, I don't think I'm going to support this bill either. >> Okay.
- </c> And I would argue that anyone supporting And I would argue that anyone supporting that<00:22:22.000
- So, I will be supporting the OTPA. >> Thank you.
- I think lowering the support the OTPA.
- So, I will be supporting the greater. So, I will be supporting the OTPA. OTPA. OTPA.
Summary:
The committee first considered House Bill 241, which would provide information about alternative pain treatments rather than mandate services. Members cited support from the prime sponsor, medical organizations, insurers, and other stakeholders, and noted there was no fiscal impact. The committee voted unanimously, 7-0, to ought to pass the bill.
It then took up House Bill 629, which raises a boat decal fee and dedicates the revenue to the dam maintenance fund. Members described the state’s deteriorating dam infrastructure, noting the large number of dams, the high-hazard sites, and the much larger funding need, while saying the bill would provide only a modest start. They also said boat owners generally did not strongly object to the fee. The committee voted 7-0 to ought to pass.
House Bill 1042, concerning an increase in the unified contingent credit limit for New Hampshire Business Finance Authority projects, drew more divided discussion. Supporters said the higher cap would provide needed flexibility and liquidity for business development and that the state treasurer and BFA had explained the credit structure and low historical loss rate; opponents warned the increase would raise state exposure too much, too soon. After debate, the chair postponed the bill, then later returned with an amendment lowering the proposed limit from 450 million to 400 million, which the committee adopted unanimously. The committee then moved to ought to pass as amended.
Finally, the committee considered House Bill 1411, which would have allowed withholding payments to the federal government in response to federal actions. Members opposing the bill argued that withholding employee-related funds would be unlawful and ineffective, while supporters said it could serve as a statement and suggested interim study instead. The committee rejected the bill on a 4-3 vote and voted to inexpedient to legislate.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee (10-14-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- They are housed in individual districts but are designed to support personnel in all of the districts
- to help support their local preschool<00:09:56.000><c> grants.
- Currently, most support provided by KDE to local school districts follows a model in which regional support
- </c> support services to school districts. support services to school districts.
- </c> close and be able to help and support close and be able to help and support these<00:24:17.600><
Keywords:
Call to Order and Roll Call: 00:22
Office of Education Accountability Report: Early Childhood Regional Training Centers (RTCs): 01:22
Approval of July 14, 2025 Minutes 31:21
Office of Education Accountability: 2025 Study Agenda 32:35
Adjournment: 39:12, 958, all
Summary:
The subcommittee heard an Office of Education Accountability report on Kentucky’s early childhood regional training centers (RTCs). OEA said the centers provide valuable training, consultation, technical assistance, and materials for preschool personnel, especially for children with disabilities and at-risk students, and that the services align with state and federal requirements. However, the report found uneven student and teacher populations across regions, wide variation in per-student funding, some staffing data inaccuracies, and several fiscal oversight concerns, including inconsistent indirect cost rates, a building rental charge that may have been duplicative, and host districts recording RTC expenditures in a way that could blur them with district finances. OEA also said some documentation of progress toward goals was incomplete and that the technology lending library appeared underused. The report recommended stronger KDE oversight, uniform coding and accounting practices, review of budgets and expenditures, and an evaluation of whether the current five-center model remains the most efficient structure; OEA also suggested the General Assembly may wish to revisit KRS 157.318. Members asked about KDE’s response, whether the centers are required by federal law, how the centers operate, and whether changing the model would affect federal funding. OEA said KDE had only discussed the findings informally and had not issued a formal response, the centers are required by state law but not federal law, and changing the model would not jeopardize IDEA preschool funds. The committee accepted the report by motion.
The subcommittee then approved the minutes from its July 14, 2025 meeting after initially delaying action because quorum was not yet present. After that, members turned to the Office of Education Accountability’s proposed 2026 study agenda. OEA said the three proposed topics are the annual district data profiles, facilities funding, and implementation of early literacy statutes. The district profiles would add an appendix showing the number and percentage of students moving to private school or homeschool by district and another appendix noting data-quality issues that affect comparability. OEA explained that district staffing data can undercount contract staff because those employees are not always entered into the system, and members expressed interest in tracking whether prior recommendations were implemented. One senator also raised a separate interest in reviewing whether KDE created and implemented regulations related to KFIX. The discussion remained informational, with no final vote on the study agenda shown in the transcript excerpt.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- President, this is supported decision-making they made in the House, requiring supported decision-making
- I fully support this bill.
- President, I just want to rise in support of this measure.
- So I just want to rise in support and ask the body to support the bill. Thank you, Senator Lopez.
- So I stand in strong support of this bill.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 04/16/26
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> support this, too. support this, too.
- </c> and so I I definitely do not support and so I I definitely do not support this<00:30:27.920><c>
- . supports. supports.
- Madam Chair, members, I I support Madam Chair, members, I I support bringing<01:27:23.000><c> this</c
- </c><01:41:42.000><c> and</c> I would urge everyone's support and I would urge everyone's support and
Committee:
Senate Health and Human Services
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Seclusion Working Group - 10/15/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:41:28.480><c> So,</c> well as our support staff. So, well as our support staff.
- </c> called into a situation for supporting called into a situation for supporting with<00:41:38.400>
- </c> means and other structures and supports means and other structures and supports but<00:54:24.960
- </c><01:19:01.040><c> in</c> was at Dakota Ridge to support in was at Dakota Ridge to support in whatever
- I wish I support without hesitation.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:10:55.519><c> any</c> well um but we would support any well um but we would support any deterrent
- I'm here today in support of SB 14.
- My background was in family support.
- My background was in family support.
- </c> when you are selling drugs to support when you are selling drugs to support your<01:05:07.319><c
Committee:
Senate Judiciary
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Conference Committee on HF2431 5/9/25
Transcript Highlights:
- I support the Senate Chair Fate. I support the Senate position. position. position.
- :35.760><c> and</c><00:32:36.000><c> Students</c> supported by Ed Allies and Students supported by Ed
- So we're supportive of this.
- We're supportive of supportive of this.
- We certainly support this.
Summary:
The committee first took up a series of “same and similar” provisions between the House and Senate higher education bills and adopted them one by one, with brief explanations from members and staff. The items included a cybersecurity addition for a doctoral degree program, Northstar Promise definitions and eligibility limits, self-loan provisions on institution eligibility and data disclosure, and dual training language requiring certificates, diplomas, or degrees to come from accredited postsecondary institutions. The committee also adopted an amendment to the private career school provisions that clarified exempt institutions remain within the act, and removed certain limited-license and renewal fees for institutions participating in dual training grants or the eligible training provider list. Each of these motions prevailed by voice vote.
The committee then moved into policy differences between the House and Senate bills, beginning with emergency grants and hunger-free campus grants. Members discussed shifting funding from OHE-administered competitive grants to direct appropriations for the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State, while the Senate retained competitive grant access for private and tribal colleges and added reporting requirements. OHE Commissioner Dennis Olson said the added reporting would be an extra administrative task but raised no significant concerns. Testifiers from the University of Minnesota, Minnesota State, and the private college sector supported faster, more direct funding and described the grants as important for emergency housing, transportation, food insecurity, and other student basic needs. A LeadMN representative also supported the changes, saying campus staff and students wanted funds delivered more quickly.
The committee also discussed direct admissions on R31. The Senate proposal would require public and charter high schools to participate in the direct admissions program by the 2029-2030 school year. Assistant Commissioner Wendy Robinson said OHE supports statewide expansion and that the program has improved FAFSA completion, college enrollment, and student retention in Minnesota. Members noted the bill had bipartisan support and heard from advocates such as Ed Allies and Students United. No votes were taken on the policy-difference items during this portion of the meeting, and the chair said further discussion of state grant and sexual misconduct policy differences would be held at a later hearing with additional OHE staff present.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Aug 20th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This is a support bill.
- Bill, I ask for your support. Thank you.
- This bill has passed with bipartisan support and has no registered opposition.
- Senator Hurtado, you are recognized on this support bill.
- Senator Strickland is recognized on this support measure. Thank you, Madam President.
MI
Transcript Highlights:
- I ask for support for my amendment.
- I rise in support of my amendment.
- I rise in support of this resolution.
- I encourage your support of this resolution.
- I supported it because Juneteenth is a living lesson.
Summary:
The Senate met with 27 members present and a quorum, opened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a series of motions, recesses, and introductions of bills. Several new bills were read and referred, including measures affecting the Income Tax Act, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, public utilities, nondisclosure agreements, data centers and community benefit agreements, zoning, Medicaid false claims, and the Neighborhood Enterprise Zone Act, with referrals mainly to finance, energy and environment, and housing and human services committees.
In the Committee of the Whole, Senate Bills 592, 49, and 50 were reported without amendment and advanced. On third reading, the Senate passed Senate Bills 900, 820, 966, 967, 968, 973, 974, 975, 976, 977, and 978. SB 900 dealt with the Vehicle Code, SB 820 with election law, SB 966 and SBs 974-978 with housing and insurance-related changes, and SB 967 with the Income Tax Act. SB 966, 967, 973, 974, 975, 976, 977, and 978 all passed on 20-16 votes, while SB 900 passed 35-1.
Senate Bill 973, creating a state-based health insurance exchange as a nonprofit corporation, drew the most debate. Senators Weber, Lindsay, and Halk offered amendments, all of which were defeated after recorded votes; Weber argued for cost controls and consumer savings, while supporters said the bill would give Michigan more control over health care decisions and could lower premiums. Senator Irwin spoke in support of the housing-related package, saying it would help address the state’s housing shortage. Senate Bill 592, concerning the Corrections Code, was also passed after a 31-5 vote, with Senator Lindsay explaining his no vote as concern about how the bill treats juvenile offenders.
The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 133, urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to honor commitments to Michigan farmers participating in the Rural Energy for America Program. Senator McCann supported the resolution, citing farm losses from federal rollbacks, while Senator McBroom gave a strong no-vote explanation criticizing state energy policy and the resolution’s framing. The session ended with remarks recognizing Juneteenth and an anecdotal bipartisan exchange between senators before the chamber adjourned until June 23 at 10:00 a.m.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- Anyone here in support of the HCR? Anyone here in opposition?
- We'll take our first step in support.
- Next up in support. Next up in support.
- Okay, next in support. Anyone here for information purposes?
- And again, I'd strongly support it. Thank you. Any further comments?
Committee:
House Health and Mental Health
Summary:
The House Committee on Health and Mental Health heard testimony on several measures. HCR 42, sponsored by Representative Perkins, urged Congress to support programs aimed at reducing prescription drug costs for Medicaid and Medicare patients. The sponsor said it would help elderly and low-income residents, while Representative Dahl argued the referenced program could cost more than other pharmacy options and criticized the resolution. No one testified in support or opposition, and the hearing on HCR 42 was closed.
The committee then heard SB 878, a pharmacist practice act bill sponsored by Senator Fitzwater. The bill would make permanent several pandemic-era pharmacy practices, including pharmacist administration of certain vaccines, medication therapy plan authority, dispensing of some medical devices and supplies, over-the-counter availability of ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine with warning labels and standardized procedures, and nonprofit pharmacy emergency waivers. Supporters said it would improve access, especially in rural areas, reduce delays in treatment, and help pharmacies remain open. Opponents raised concerns about vaccine authority shifting away from the governor, the safety of over-the-counter hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin, and whether pharmacists should be treated as equivalent to physicians. The Missouri Pharmacy Association, Walmart, and Walgreens testified in support, and the hearing was closed without a vote.
The committee also heard two resolutions. HCR 538, by Representative Hruza, would designate May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month and encourage support for research and advocacy. Members generally supported the resolution, with comments about the severity of ALS and the importance of early communication supports; no opposition was presented. HCR 4661, also presented by Representative Hruza, would encourage awareness and screening for chronic kidney disease, especially among high-risk patients, and promote public-private education efforts around urine albumin-to-creatinine testing. Testimony emphasized the prevalence and cost of kidney disease and the value of early detection. The committee took no votes on these measures and adjourned after the hearings.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- I just want to be here today to testify in support of House Bill 826.
- Yeah, I would appreciate your support of this. Appreciate the industry's support.
- We work collectively to support our dairy producers.
- Anytime that we approach this work in schools, we try to support all foods.
- and just support their success in the future.
Committee:
Senate Agricultural Affairs
Summary:
The Senate Agricultural Committee approved minutes from February 26 and March 3, 2026, then heard three House bills. House Bill 630 would move existing administrative-rule language on airborne control permits for predatory animals into statute without changing policy; the sponsor said the permits are free, limited to private property, and used for livestock, wildlife, or domestic animal protection rather than sport hunting. House Bill 631 would similarly codify current rule language on certificates of free sale for Idaho products, with the fee capped at $100 per certificate. Both bills drew no opposing testimony and were sent to the floor with due pass recommendations.
The committee also heard House Bill 826 on the Idaho Honey Commission. The sponsor said the bill shifts regulatory authority from the commission to the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, cleans up code, and reflects current practice under an existing memorandum of understanding. Testimony from the Idaho Honey Industry Association supported the bill, emphasizing the importance of the honey sector and noting that hobbyist beekeepers are not affected. Members asked about hobbyist thresholds, pesticide-related bee registration, and penalties; the sponsor and department explained that hobbyists remain exempt from commission funding, bee site registration is handled elsewhere in department rules, and the $10,000 penalty already exists while the misdemeanor provision is being removed. The committee passed the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
After the bills, Dairy West gave a presentation on its regional checkoff program covering Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Utah. Speakers described producer-funded promotion, research, school nutrition, sports sponsorships, retail promotion, farmer relations, sustainability outreach, and export development. They said Idaho remains the largest dairy-producing state in the region, with major exports to Mexico, Southeast Asia, Japan, Korea, and emerging markets elsewhere. In response to questions, they said the industry relies heavily on immigrant labor and that the organization is not a lobbying group. The committee took no action on the presentation and adjourned after the briefing.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Elementary and Secondary Education Mar 11th, 2026
Elementary and Secondary Education
Transcript Highlights:
- But when these students graduate, the support system that has followed them...
- Under the federal law, schools provide support. I can go to and ask questions.
- So I'm very, very supportive of this legislation.
- And when you say community support, can you clarify that a little bit?
- The community support within the ecosystem of each individual institution.
Committee:
House Elementary and Secondary Education
Summary:
The Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education met in executive session and public hearing, with a quorum present. It first voted House Bill 1767, described as the educator and parent bill of rights combination bill, due pass by a 14-1 vote with one present. The committee then considered House Bill 2918, which was amended by a substitute focused on defining school-sponsored media as a news source and distinguishing news from commentary or editorial content; the sponsor said the changes were intended to promote balanced, truth-in-labeling journalism and to protect only bona fide news sources. The substitute was adopted, and the House Committee Substitute for HB 2918 passed 11-3 with three present.
The committee also voted House Bill 2304 due pass by a 10-4 vote with three present, though the transcript does not describe the bill’s subject. The committee then moved out of executive session and heard House Bill 2772, sponsored by Representative Melissa Douglas, which would create a postsecondary McKinney-Vento-style liaison for students experiencing homelessness. Douglas said the bill would help students transition from K-12 homelessness supports into higher education by giving them a designated point of contact in financial aid, and she noted that a substitute would remove earlier appointment and donation provisions and leave implementation to higher education institutions.
Committee members asked about the liaison’s qualifications, duties, staffing, and fiscal impact, and Douglas said the substitute removed the most controversial appointment requirements and was intended to be a zero-fiscal-note approach. Supporters testified that the bill would improve coordination and help homeless and foster students persist in postsecondary education. An opponent argued the proposal duplicated existing services, would be costly, and was unnecessary given current state, federal, and nonprofit supports. No vote was taken on HB 2772 before the hearing ended and the committee adjourned.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Health and Human Resources Committee in Session Mar 10th, 2026 at 01:10 pm
Health and Human Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- peer support services to employees or members.
- The bill states that an employer organization that appoints a peer support team. Members.
- The bill states that an employer organization that appoints a peer support team and has advisors to support
- As an initial basic peer support training and additional training at least quarterly.
- The bill also creates a testimonial privilege for peer support communications.
Committee:
Senate Health and Human Resources
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Mar 4th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I'll be supporting the motion. Representative Furman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
- Thanks for supporting that. Well, maybe we didn't get the trademark.
- I will also be supporting the substitute motion.
- I will also be supporting the substitute motion.
- I think there are some serious. be supporting the substitute motion.
Summary:
The House Health and Welfare Committee heard several RS introductions and one Senate bill. RS 33412, the “Merit-based Health Care Act,” would apply merit-based standards to Medicaid-funded health care and was introduced after questions about whether it would affect existing contracts and how it would interact with Medicaid’s voluntary participation. RS 32997 C2 proposed changes to child abandonment investigations and social worker training, including autism and introversion training and new reporting limits; members raised concerns about penalties, the scope of the training, and whether the bill could create conflicts in reporting duties. After debate, the committee voted 9-6 to return RS 32997 C2 to the sponsor. RS 33561, a prompt-pay insurance bill, would redefine claims processing timelines, add good-faith standards, give the Department of Insurance more complaint-handling authority, and require transparency about AI use; it was introduced without objection.
The committee also heard Senate Bill 1314, which would eliminate regional director positions, regional behavioral health boards, and the Board of Health and Welfare to reduce state spending by about $410,000. Supporters said the changes reflect the state’s move to a Behavioral Health Council and managed care structure and would remove an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy. Opponents warned that the regional behavioral health boards provide important local input and coordination, especially for mental health services, and said they had not been consulted before the bill advanced. Despite those concerns, the committee voted to send SB 1314 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 16, 2026 - 01:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Waives in support. Anyone else wish to address the committee from the public?
- Kate McFall from Humane World in support. Richard Pinsky, DTMF Foundation waives and support.
- I am here to speak in support of House Bill 277.
- And with that, I ask for your favorable support. >>Chair Maney: Rep.
- Catherine Shea, Department of Corrections waives and supports.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Those in support of Senate Bill 241 substitute...
- I support that as well. Are you—Senator Woods?
- Chairman, the school support one.
- We'll look at public school support. The first paragraph, we've supported that. No.
- I don't think we need the public school support for...
Committee:
Senate House Appropriations & Finance
Keywords:
child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level
Summary:
The committee first took up Senate Bill 241 and reviewed a Senate Finance Committee substitute that incorporated several amendments. Staff explained changes related to the child care fund, residency determinations for federally eligible applicants, expanded child care assistance eligibility for grandparents raising grandchildren and foster parents, updated payment-rate rulemaking, tribal child care sovereignty and culturally appropriate services, limits on land grant permanent fund use for nonsectarian/non-denominational services, provider licensure pathways, and reporting clarifications. Members also discussed whether the bill would maximize federal and state child care tax benefits and how the nonsectarian language would apply to faith-based child care providers. The committee adopted the substitute and then passed it on a 7-3 vote.
The committee then moved into House Bill 2 budget language review, focusing on budget adjustment authority and other fiscal provisions. Members discussed proposed BAR language for the State Investment Council, State Treasurer, PERA, and the Economic Development Department, with concerns about caps, whether the language was too broad, and whether some items should revert to existing law or be removed. The committee approved some of the BAR language items, but flagged the Treasurer and Economic Development provisions for later review. Members also discussed extending certain appropriations and project timelines, including a Rio Grande Trail Commission item and several IT and public safety projects, generally favoring extensions where work was still underway.
The committee then debated proposed public school support language that would bar PED from approving budgets for schools with fewer than 180 instructional days and from approving new moves to four-day school weeks. Several members argued the 180-day language conflicted with existing statute, which is based on instructional hours, and that the four-day-week restriction could have unintended consequences. The committee ultimately voted down both public school support provisions. The meeting ended with a brief discussion of reviewing the rest of House Bill 2 and related supplemental and language items in the next session, and then adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Jan 28th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- And we have Monica Rodriguez, who is waving in support and in favor. Are you there?
- And we have Yvonne Fernandez from AARP, and they are waiving in support.
- Yvonne Fernandez from AARP, and they are waving in support. Thank you very much.
- And we have Monica Rodriguez, who is waiving in support and in favor. Are you there?
- So I'd appreciate your support. Thank you very much.
Keywords:
campus safety, higher education, university safety, college safety, student safety, threat assessment, violence prevention, credible threat, campus security, law enforcement notification, emergency response, public universities, Florida College System, student conduct, workplace violence, security escorts, incident reporting, title IX-like safety procedures, institutional safety policy, school violence
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to hear two bills and several confirmation appointments. Senate Bill 176, as amended, required public universities to maintain and publicize clear campus safety policies and reporting procedures for threats to students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Senator Polsky said the bill was intended to close a gap in postsecondary safety guidance and mirror K-12 requirements. The committee adopted the amendment without objection, heard supportive comments about campus safety, and reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard Senate Bill 116, which would codify the University of Florida Diabetes Institute in statute to support research, prevention, education, collaboration, and outreach on diabetes; the bill drew supportive testimony from AARP and others and was also reported favorably.
The committee then took up confirmations for multiple university and college boards of trustees. Nominees and appointees testified about their backgrounds and priorities, including FIU trustee Nestor Plana, UNF trustee Clarence Stephen Moore, UCF trustees Mark Philburn and Alan Flores, USF trustees Rick Piccolo and Nancy Watkins Hemingway, and Miami Dade College trustee Ismarie Monreal, among others. Their remarks emphasized student success, research growth, workforce development, financial stewardship, and institutional goals such as engineering, cybersecurity, health care, and preeminence. Several members asked about NCLEX nursing pass rates and university performance metrics, and one public commenter raised concerns about campus climate and student safety at UCF.
After hearing the appointees and public comment, the committee voted to confirm the group of nominees in a block and reported the confirmations favorably. The meeting concluded without further business after a motion to adjourn.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
January 14, 2026 - 01:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- How's it going to support it?
- What are the technologies that they're going to be needed to support that?
- But I would say that the support of the Florida legislature and, you know, the indication that you're
- We want to build out soundtracks become that are in the facility to support this industry.
- Help with the OEM certification support integration with technology.