Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so given that, would it not make sense if you believe that these programs are bad, as I think you
• Instead of banning DEI programs that help people thrive, we should focus on housing, health care, and
• And gutting our DEI programs could prove disastrous. Thank you. Thank you for your testimony.
• SB 710 would strip funding from programs that train doctors to recognize these disparities.
• So would it, as an example, be a foreign exchange program with a university that boycotts Israel?

Committee: Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability

Summary: The committee first confirmed Heather L. Turnbull to the Florida Commission on Community Service, with the motion adopted and the confirmation recommended favorably. Members then took up SPB 7022, which sets Florida Retirement System employer contribution rates beginning July 1, 2025, updates rates to address unfunded actuarial liability, and allows certain elected officers to elect a DROP accumulation; a technical title amendment was adopted, the bill was submitted as a committee bill, and it was reported favorably as a committee bill. The committee then heard extensive debate and public testimony on SB 1710, which would restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion-related policies, trainings, and activities in state agencies, state-funded contractors and grantees, and medical institutions of higher education. Sponsor Senator DiCeglie said the bill is intended to prevent state agencies and contractors from using state funds for DEI programs and to limit state agencies from adopting DEI-related official positions; he also said the medical-school portion would likely be amended out later. Senator Polsky and others questioned the bill’s breadth and how it would affect health-related grants, public universities, historically Black institutions, recruitment, and contractor training. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, with speakers arguing the bill would harm health care, education, access, and inclusion; a few supporters said DEI is ideological, can undermine merit, and should not be used by state agencies or publicly funded institutions. After debate, Senator Polsky argued the bill was confusing, overbroad, and harmful to serving diverse communities, while Senator Arrington said it was an overreach into private business and could have significant fiscal impacts. Chair Fine closed by saying DEI is political ideology and that the bill is meant to ensure government focuses on talent rather than identity. SB 1710 was then reported favorably on a roll call vote, with Senator Arrington voting no and the remaining members voting yes. The committee then began SB 1678, relating to entities that boycott Israel, and heard the sponsor’s explanation of a delete-all amendment that would expand and clarify state restrictions on dealings with entities engaged in boycotts of Israel, including certain nonprofits, foreign educational institutions, and grants; the amendment was adopted, and the sponsor and a witness began answering questions when the transcript cuts off.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a lot of different programs for firefighters already.
• Sure, kind of that program...
• programs at participating public institutions. programs and participating public technical colleges
• Key program components include skills assessments... ...Program components include skills assessments
• Program is that municipal or county law enforcement may be involved.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires the aquaculture program to develop a risk-based framework and biocontainment standards for
• Todd, Aquaculture Development Program. I think there's a perspective to this.
• Todd, Aquaculture Development Program. I think there's a perspective to this.
• This has to do with the recycling program for cans and bottles, to redeem bottles and cans.
• But I think the real problem with the program is it's just so hard to return them.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Agriculture and Environment Committee heard five bills on January 24, 2025. SB 1 would phase out disposable air filters and require reusable air filters by 2030; testimony was limited, with one supporter urging clearer definitions of fiberglass and paper and several opponents listed, and the committee later deferred the bill indefinitely for lack of support testimony. SB 13 would create an aquaculture investment tax credit beginning in 2026; state agencies and several industry groups supported it, while the Tax Foundation raised concerns about loose definitions, internal inconsistencies, and blanks that made the bill hard to estimate or vet. The committee passed SB 13 with amendments and technical changes, and deferred its effective date to July 1, 2015 as stated on the record. SB 177 would shift aquatic livestock import and movement permitting to the Department of Agriculture’s Animal Industry Division, require a risk-based assessment and biocontainment standards, and seek a $1 million appropriation for research and staffing. The Department of Agriculture said the bill would help expand aquaculture while managing risks to native species; aquaculture and farm groups supported it, while Animal Rights Hawaii was listed in opposition. The committee passed SB 177 with amendments, blanking the appropriation for committee report consideration, and deferred its effective date to July 1, 2050. SB 184 would raise the beverage container deposit and refund from 5 cents to 10 cents. Supporters said the higher deposit could improve recycling and environmental outcomes, while opponents, including the Tax Foundation, cited fraud concerns, the program’s existing fund balance, and practical challenges in redemption; the Department of Human Services also noted potential impacts on blind vendors. The committee took the bill up but deferred decision-making until Monday, January 27, 2025, at 10:01 p.m. in Room 224. The committee also heard SB 250, which would increase the income tax credit for interisland transportation costs for agricultural products. Agricultural and industry witnesses supported the bill as a way to offset rising shipping costs and preserve access to markets, while the Tax Foundation preferred direct appropriations over tax credits and objected to missing bill details. The committee passed SB 250 with amendments from the Department of Agriculture and deferred its effective date to July 1, 2050. Separately, a joint hearing on SB 240, the Right to Farm bill, drew mixed testimony: the Department of Agriculture supported further study and raised concerns about the bill’s fragmented approach, while farm, cattle, and other industry witnesses split between support for protecting customary Native Hawaiian subsistence farming and opposition to excluding CAFOs and certain business structures. No vote was taken on SB 240 in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to be giving the program.
• It's through their FINPACK program.
• It's through their FINPACK program.
• It's through their FINPACK program.
• Guarantee programs.

Committee: Joint Agriculture

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:18 University of Kentucky Department of Agricultural Economics Presentation 00:02:18 Farm Credit Mid-America Presentation 01:12:41, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, we have a whole program that we.
• Training for staff on classroom management and behavior intervention programs. programming requires significant
• Thank you. excellence partnership program and a high school advising program including funding for those
• We are a parent advocacy program.
• And that's a really good program.

Bills: HB6 , HB27 , HB 123 , HB210 , HB213 , HB222 , HB610 , HB 1085 , HB1481 , HB6 , HB27 , HB123 , HB210 , HB213 , HB222

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: mental health, telehealth, public schools, discipline management, behavioral interventions, financial literacy, high school education, curriculum requirements, economics, personal finance, HB 123, kindergarten readiness, early literacy, early numeracy, reading screening, math screening, foundational literacy, foundational numeracy, dyslexia screening, reading intervention

Transcript Highlights:

• It does not create a new program or mandate.
• And our community-based organizations are having to reduce program services or discontinue them entirely
• And our community-based organizations are having to reduce program services or discontinue them entirely
• The bill creates a program for dentists at the Dental Hygiene Board.
• My name is Tweedo with the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center, the California Senior Program Manager

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 2205 simply brings this program back.
• The program also supports individuals who face challenges entering the workforce, including veterans,
• They will be felt most in the very communities this program is designed to support.
• A reparations program without tax exclusion is an incomplete program.
• We would encourage members to view this as a floor, not a ceiling, as reparations programs develop.

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The new program will create jobs and diversify the economy in Putnam and Marion counties, which are two
• And so we would rather have it be a monitored four-year program.
• So I get that we're moving along, but it starts with Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his jobs program in
• This bill includes an economic development program for Putnam and Marion counties, counties that almost
• We did programs. We did projects that had unintended consequences we were not aware of at the time.

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources heard and advanced several bills. SB 958, by Senator Bradley, would require local straw and stirrer ordinances to allow renewable, certified compostable, and marine-biodegradable products, with supporters arguing it creates standards and avoids patchwork local rules; it was reported favorably. SB 1066, by Senator Brodeur, proposed a phased restoration of the Ocklawaha/Rodman Dam area, including partial dam restoration, recreation and economic development planning, and a local advisory council; testimony was strongly divided between restoration supporters and local officials concerned about water supply, reservoir value, and community impacts. The committee adopted an amendment adding a Naval Air Station Jacksonville representative to the advisory council, then reported the bill favorably as amended. The committee also approved CS/SB 698 by Senator Martin, which would let builders proceed with home construction after applying for septic permits rather than waiting for the permit to be issued first. Testimony from builders and industry representatives focused on permitting delays, contract pricing, and the need for a glide path if DEP rules change; some senators raised concerns about the 120-day transition period, but the bill passed favorably with a technical amendment. CS/SB 1230, by Senator Harrell, would phase out PFAS-containing firefighting foam for non-emergency use, require inventory and disposal reporting, create DEP rules and a registry of alternatives, and establish grant/cost-savings support for local agencies; it was reported favorably after an amendment clarifying DEP references and penalty language. Finally, the committee approved CS/SB 1288, also by Senator Harrell, to designate a water body feature in the Jupiter Narrows area as the Andrew Red Harris Shoal in honor of a local environmental advocate who died rescuing a friend. The bill was amended to clarify the shoal identification and then reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, senators requested the record reflect additional affirmative votes on certain bills, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• A new program will create jobs and diversify the economy in Putnam and Marion counties, which are two
• New program will create jobs and diversify the economy in Putnam and Marion counties, which are the two
• And so we would rather have it be a monitored four-year program that actually slowly draws this thing
• So I get that we're moving along, but it starts with Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his jobs program in
• We did programs. We did projects that had unintended consequences we were not aware of at the time.

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• autism services, DHS officials claimed that explosive growth was pretty consistent with other DHS programs
• Next, we would like the Walz administration to consider stopping payments in the other 13 high-risk programs
• committee for DHS previously, but they continue to operate and receive millions in taxpayer dollars. programs
• And finally, programs.
• directed at NOS's that there's a connection with fraudsters, stopping payments in the 13 high-risk programs

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• When we, when you approve an award, we don't see the program of spaces.
• Were we in programming in '23, or were we already in full-blown design?
• Within that 50,000 square feet, we will evaluate that program.
• That totals the amount of that program.
• If you've programmed everything you need and you're programming at least to the minimums for your core

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, you also put forth a bill that would establish a license plate for our solar pollinator programs.
• Obviously, we know what programs.
• If people get that license plate, the funds from that go towards that program.
• Yeah, it's a nice way to get the message out and to support that program.
• Um, and it was said the program would be self-funding. So talk me through how that works.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, we discussed this as well: the community wealth building program Senate language drops the minimum
• </c><00:02:21.680><c> Senate</c><00:02:21.959><c> language</c> wealth building program Senate language
• wealth building program Senate language drops<00:02:22.640><c> the</c><00:02:22.720><c> minimum</c><
• and described some of the program and described some of the reasons<00:03:17.320><c> that</c><00:03:
• </c><00:04:00.400><c> to</c> some changes to the CAN train program to some changes to the CAN train program

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Federal law funds TWC for the Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment Program, or in short,
• Because RESIA was permanently authorized by Congress in 2018, Texas federal funding for this program
• has steadily increased, allowing this expansion of the program to be fully funded with federal dollars
• Again, we've had the benefit of seeing the success of this program in other states.
• I'm assigned to the service... ...contract providers and administrators program.

Bills: HB 112 , HB199 , HB621 , HB1349 , HB2214 , HB3466 , HB3698 , HB3699 , HCR9 , HB112 , HB199 , HCR9

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Keywords: science park district, economic development, technology innovation, higher education collaboration, infrastructure development, Texas Economic Development Office, workforce development, unemployment benefits, state average unemployment rate, benefit year, economic support, Texas Workforce Commission, property owners' association, free speech, assembly rights, government officials, political candidates, floodplain, landlord, tenant

Transcript Highlights:

• However, the bulk of these programs involve state subsidies for these low-income folks.
• So, these programs are different depending upon what the issue is and the difference in the states.
• But I believe that our investor-owned utilities understand what kind of programs they need, and they
• will come to the PRC if they have a good program to sign.
• low-income or programs or rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• So private schools, this won't require them to do a lot of programs with ECGs or to take part.
• So, yes, those programs would be acceptable.
• But currently, there are programs that are in place.
• That's how our program started, and our health department conducts a screening once a year.
• We have a law that states it's less than 5% of Medicaid to a $41 billion program.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THE GOAL OF THESE PROGRAMS IS TO IDENTIFY DEFENDANTS WHO HAVE MENTAL ILLNESS AND ENSURE THEY RECEIVE
• THE PROGRAM IS INTENDED FOR NONVIOLENT OFFENDERS.
• THE TYPES OF PROGRAMS THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE REINVESTMENT GRANT PROGRAM
• THIS PILOT PROGRAM HELPS RESTORE COMPETENCY AND PROVIDE MORE COMPREHENSIVE TREATMENT.
• THE DIVERSION PROGRAM WILL ALLOW THE LOVED ONES TO GET TREATMENT RATHER THAN JAIL TIME .

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the UIC program through its regional offices. in the EPA-created Class VI wells, which specifically
• We're responsible for implementing environmental programs dictated by state and federal law including
• We administer 12 incentive grant programs under the Texas Emission Reduction Plan, or TERP.
• That put TCEQ in a difficult position of implementing our programs with limited time and resources.
• As you know, we have an orphaned abandoned well program.

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I reentry Program, Free Entry Program, an outreach program, Homeless initiative program.
• It's it's a program that we're very proud of it.
• program process, there's an after action report where we identified these issues.
• Last year you funded a school security assessment Grant program, 5 million dollars of that 5 million
• or homeland security programs.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, by category for special ed programs.
• So that we're going out, programming.
• </c> has the resources to develop programming has the resources to develop programming and<01:08:36.560
• &gt;&gt; programs that are associated with each &gt;&gt; programs that are associated with each one.<
• </c><01:49:22.960><c> is</c> schools and and I think the program is schools and and I think the program

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The commission met to approve the November 21, 2025 minutes, making several clerical corrections before adopting them as amended. The edits included adding the date, correcting a misspelled name, clarifying references to a scholarship fund representative’s title, removing an incorrect “DOE” reference, and fixing a few wording errors. The minutes were approved with one abstention from members who were absent. The bulk of the meeting focused on organizing the commission’s work under SB 57 and identifying which special education cost issues should be prioritized for research and reporting. Members discussed a long list of topics, including student referral rates, why students are classified as other health impaired, increases in referrals since school closures, interventions before referral, costs of non-medically necessary services in IEPs and 504 plans, differences between federal and state requirements, reporting of special education costs, out-of-district and residential placements, dispute resolution, Medicaid and insurance use, graduation rates, and adult learning participation. Several members emphasized the need to combine or narrow topics and to gather better data before the report due July 1, 2026. Representative Ames highlighted HB 742, which would eliminate prorated special education aid payments when state appropriations fall short, and explained that the Education Funding Committee recommended interim study. He argued that local districts are bearing too much of the cost and that the state and federal governments should provide more support. Other members raised concerns about rising special education identification rates, possible overidentification, school climate and mental health factors, bullying, staffing, speech therapy access, and residential placements. One member cautioned that DOE website numbers may be inflated or at least difficult to interpret because of how students are counted. Department of Education staff then explained how special education data and costs are monitored. They said student counts are tied to IEPs and SASIDs in the state system, districts are checked through both desk audits and on-site monitoring, and billed services are compared against IEP requirements. They also described IDEA funding, noting that most DOE special education staffing is federally funded, with a large share of federal money flowing through to local education agencies and the remainder supporting administration, monitoring, and training initiatives. Members discussed whether more staff and more robust oversight would improve accuracy and accountability.