Transcript Highlights:

• One is the four-year in-state service obligation that we had put in place a few years ago.
• Next up, we will have a presentation from April Renfro, Legislative Services.
• April Renfro, Legislative Audit Division Manager, Legislative Services. Thank you.
• It has lines for each type of service that's provided.”
• The analyst with the Legislative Services Office.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation on Idaho’s medical education workforce plan, developed from House Bill 368. The presenter said the working group unanimously supported a long-term plan to address Idaho’s physician shortage, noting Idaho ranks 50th per capita in physicians and would need roughly 1,400 more doctors to reach the national average. Recommendations included maintaining existing WAMI and other state-supported seats, adding 10 non-WAMI seats this year, expanding graduate medical education by 15 seats, creating a dedicated health education coordinator/director to manage undergraduate and graduate placements and clinical sites, and using one-time Rural Health Transformation funds for larger investments. Members discussed the value of WAMI, the need for more clinical training sites, rural recruitment incentives, the role of nurse practitioners and other providers, and how to measure results. No formal vote was taken in the transcript. The committee then received April Renfro’s update on the statewide single audit and related accountability work. She reported $5.4 billion in federal assistance audited for fiscal year 2024, 45 findings, seven repeat findings, $2.4 million in known questioned costs, and $2 million in projected questioned costs. Major issues were concentrated at the Department of Health and Welfare, especially Medicaid managed care eligibility and provider oversight, delayed health and safety surveys, and reporting problems tied in part to the Luma transition. Other notable findings involved the Child Care and Development Fund, Vocational Rehabilitation, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance, and DEQ. Members pressed her on accountability, fraud detection, managed care oversight, Luma-related errors, staffing, and which findings should be prioritized for follow-up. She said her office would provide a top-10 list of priorities to the co-chairs. No vote was taken. After a break, the committee heard a budget presentation from Brooke Dupree on how to read the front-end reports in the legislative budget book. She explained the state’s constitutional structure, the 20 executive departments, and the decision-unit budget model, including the sequence from the current-year appropriation to maintenance, enhancements, and the final fiscal year 2027 original appropriation. She also walked through request-versus-recommendation reports and fund-source comparisons. Members asked a few clarifying questions, including what falls under public school support. The final item began a short presentation from the Impact Review Team on a base budget dashboard tool, described as a different way to view existing budget data.

Transcript Highlights:

• because they have no other way to generate other services because they're limited.
• We are very grateful to you all for your service to our wonderful state of New Mexico.
• They were not part of the Human Services Department.
• He's still the Director of the Behavioral Health Services Division.
• The other part of this is the contractual services category.

Transcript Highlights:

• for um Our water services which have been Really, really outdated.
• If you all know, I'm a, if all of you didn't know, I came from a The public service.
• Uh, the co op offers gig service.
• Our goal is to have this in service by mid to late 2028. Thank you.
• I think the batteries that Post Service in New Mexico is putting are 4-hour batteries.

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving on to LRCP 26-013, Department of Environmental Services.
• Department of Environmental Services. Department of Environmental Services.
• I'm the assistant chief engineer for the Dam Bureau at Environmental Services.
• </c><00:16:19.960><c> is</c> Department of Environmental Services is Department of Environmental Services
• </c> Environmental Services. Environmental Services.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Long Range Capital Planning and Utilization Committee first approved the March 16, 2026 minutes, then took up several Department of Transportation property actions. The committee approved a Greenland access point sale for a cell tower site to Wakefield Investments for $132,800 plus a $1,100 administrative fee, and approved disposal of two Epsom parcels to the town at no cost, with the town assuming demolition of the former depot and the committee waiving the fee. It also approved a Milton access point sale to Jeremy West Champney and Cameron McDermott for $90,000 plus the fee, with conditions requiring permits and other approvals. During the DOT items, members asked about appraisals, access restrictions, and where the administrative fee goes; staff said the fee generally offsets agency administrative costs and may go to a dedicated fund or the general fund depending on the project. The committee then considered three Department of Environmental Services requests for utility easements to bring power to dams so gates can be operated more efficiently and potentially remotely. It approved an easement with New Hampshire Electric Co-op for Pine River Dam in Wakefield, an easement with New Hampshire Electric Co-op for Sunset Lake Dam in Alton, and an easement with Eversource for Suncook Lake Dam in Barnstead. Members discussed whether to waive the $1,100 administrative fee on these items, with some questioning the fee’s purpose and where it is deposited. The committee ultimately approved the DES items as requested, including the fee waivers, while asking staff to research the fee’s history, sufficiency, and use for a future report. Finally, the committee received informational items from the New Hampshire Council on Resources and Development. Members briefly discussed a property at Bloody Point in Newington and the related Sullivan Bridge demolition, and DOT staff said the property had been tabled previously and is now being worked on with Fish and Game for a possible transfer of management and future water access use. No votes were taken on the informational items.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then he shifted his gifts toward public service.
• , funds our services for individuals with disabilities.
• Lady, I... ...things are our services for individuals with disabilities.
• And it doesn't tell them how the services they currently rely on are going to be impacted.
• We are fine without that service. We are fine not spending on that.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous day’s journal by a 132-0 vote. Members then used personal privilege remarks to recognize Black History Month, honor several Black colleagues and public servants, observe a moment of silence for the late Dr. Steven Leon, and deliver a lengthy tribute to the late Freeman Bosley Sr. The chamber also welcomed numerous guests and school groups, including congressional and local officials, mental health advocates, FFA students, championship volleyball players, elementary and junior high students, and other district visitors. The House then took up several bills on third reading. The most contentious debate was over House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1663, 1607, and 1973, which removed a sunset from Missouri’s restrictions on transgender athletes in school sports. Supporters framed it as protecting fairness and women’s sports; opponents argued it targeted a very small number of students, was discriminatory, and distracted from more pressing issues. After extended debate, the measure passed 98-37. The House also passed House Bill 2682, a school-related First Amendment bill, after debate over whether it would protect hateful student speech; it passed 99-47. Lawmakers next passed House Bill 2274, the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, to make it easier for teachers to transfer credentials across states, especially for military families, by a vote of 133-13. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1883, dealing with sales tax on durable medical goods and certain auction items, passed 98-36 after criticism that it was too broad and would benefit high-end auction sales. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2085, a tobacco preemption bill that also allows localities to enforce a tobacco age of 21, passed 93-43 amid debate over local control and youth tobacco access. House Bill 2145, allowing businesses on two-lane highways to place signs across the road, passed overwhelmingly 142-2. Finally, the House passed House Committee Substitute for House Joint Resolution 169, which would limit state and local spending growth to prior-year levels plus inflation and population growth, with emergency exceptions. Supporters called it a way to restrain government spending and align with the Hancock Amendment; opponents raised concerns about how it could interact with future tax policy, including the proposed income tax elimination plan. The resolution was discussed at length but ultimately advanced by vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• , the services, and the program, as inspiring as it may be... ...without any funding for the providers
• , the servicers, the educators that need to be supported and trained to carry out this program.
• And you all have heard us in the words we said for her memorial service.
• You know, certainly we have several service members, prior service and current... time all in favor of
• members prior service and current And, you know, certainly we have several service members, prior service

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, pledge, and several member introductions and recognitions, including resolutions and visiting groups. The chamber then moved to a special order calendar and took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 88 on utility terrain vehicles, which would allow local governments to opt in to street use of UTVs under specified safety conditions; it passed 32-5 after debate over safety concerns. SB 102 on exceptional student education created a workforce credential/badge program for students with autism or on modified curricula; despite concerns about unfunded mandates, it passed 36-0. SB 106 on exploitation of vulnerable adults authorized alternative service methods for scammers through the apps they used to contact victims and passed 37-0. SB 130 expanded and eased procedures for compensation of victims of wrongful incarceration, including extending filing deadlines and removing restrictive bars; it passed 38-0. SB 158 eliminated cost sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast exams under the state employee health plan and passed 38-0. The Senate then considered SB 234 on crimes against law enforcement officers, prompted by the killing of Officer Jason Raynor. The bill clarified that a person may not resist an officer with violence and added a mandatory life sentence for manslaughter of a law enforcement officer. A late amendment to restore “good faith” language failed, and after extensive debate over due process, racial profiling, and sentencing concerns, the bill was temporarily postponed rather than brought to a final vote. SB 262 on trust code technical changes passed 36-0. SB 274 designated portions of roads in Orlando as Harris Rosen Way and Geraldine Thompson Way; it passed 38-0 and then received 37 co-sponsors. SB 280 created an enforcement mechanism for candidate party-affiliation qualification requirements and passed 38-0. SB 296 repealed the statewide middle and high school start-time mandate and returned the issue to local districts with reporting requirements; it passed 38-0. Later, SB 356 designated January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida, with the sponsor emphasizing anti-Semitism and the need for education and remembrance. The transcript also included additional ceremonial remarks and recognition of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity members in the gallery. Throughout the meeting, most measures advanced with unanimous or near-unanimous support, while SB 234 generated the most substantive disagreement and was set aside for later consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Lisa Freeze, and I'm the Scott County transportation services director.
• director and uh this bill services director and uh this bill essentially<00:05:06.400><c> is</c><00:
• </c><00:15:00.160><c> uh</c> of people who actually leave Service uh of people who actually leave Service
• </c> as far as the if someone leaves service as far as the if someone leaves service what<00:15:30.880
• </c><00:15:53.279><c> and</c> the bill uh if they left service and the bill uh if they left service and

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mary Catherine Lawler is the president of Doug Croley Insurance Services.
• Mary Catherine Lawler is the president of Doug Crowley Insurance Services.
• is in another agency, but I believe very firmly that Florida should have the best consumer services
• And she's been fighting to get her claim serviced ever since.
• What are those claim services?

Summary: The subcommittee held its first meeting on homeowners property insurance, with members from both parties introducing themselves and repeatedly noting that insurance affordability, roof condition, claims handling, and storm recovery are top concerns for their districts. Chair Yeager said the meeting was intended as an educational discussion rather than a legislative debate, and introduced a panel that included Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworski, consumer Chad Carr, agent Mary Catherine Lawler, insurer executive Melissa Burt DeVries, and policyholder attorney Chip Merlin. The panel and members discussed major cost drivers in Florida homeowners insurance, including inflation, home age, roof age, mitigation features, claims history, litigation costs, reinsurance, and the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund. Commissioner Yaworski said underwriting has become more sophisticated and that litigation costs, reinsurance, and replacement-cost inflation all affect premiums; he also said litigation is down about 30% and average requested rate increases have fallen from about 22.1% in 2022 to 0.8% today. DeVries said age of home, replacement cost, roof age, and coverage choices can materially change premiums, and explained that reinsurance is a major expense passed through to consumers. Merlin emphasized transparency concerns, argued that insurers are increasingly individualizing risk, and said consumers often struggle with coverage limits, deductibles, and claim denials. Members asked about flood coverage, hurricane deductibles, managed repair programs, mitigation credits, new insurer capitalization, and whether savings from reforms are reaching consumers. Yaworski explained that flood is generally excluded from homeowners policies and covered separately, that hurricane deductibles are mandatory in Florida and usually around 5%, and that the office tracks savings from reforms through rate filings and insurer discussions. He said the state is updating mitigation discounts and monitoring new entrants closely for solvency and market conduct. Several members and panelists said recent reforms have helped reduce some abuses and litigation, but many consumers are still seeing higher premiums because replacement costs and reinsurance remain elevated. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm an assistant attorney general in the insurance and financial services in the Mass Attorney General's
• Chris Richards, Chief Banking Services Officer at Cape Cod Five Savings Bank and Hyannis.
• Chris Richards, Chief Banking Services Officer at Cape Cod Five-Sense Savings Bank and Hyannis.
• Are you in quick service? Are you in fast casual or are you in full dining?
• Today, the payments industry is not simply a financial service.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission met for its second hearing to study the future of credit card payments and sales transactions and their impacts on small businesses. Members heard extensive testimony from credit unions, retailers, restaurants, and payment-industry representatives on interchange fees, processing fees, fraud, chargebacks, rewards programs, and the ability of businesses to pass fees on to customers. Several witnesses argued that swipe fees have risen sharply, are especially burdensome for restaurants and other small businesses, and are charged on taxes and tips that are merely pass-through amounts. They urged state action to prohibit fees on tax and tip portions, improve transparency, and allow surcharging or convenience fees, while opponents warned that state regulation could reduce fraud protections, increase compliance costs, and threaten consumer rewards programs. Business owners and trade groups described thin margins, rising costs, and the difficulty of understanding merchant statements or negotiating with processors. Restaurant witnesses said card-not-present and online transactions create the greatest fraud and chargeback risk, with money often removed immediately from merchants’ accounts and disputes rarely resolved in their favor. Retail witnesses gave examples of rising effective rates, higher fees on rewards cards, and the burden of processing fees on low-value transactions. A representative from the Massachusetts Restaurant Association and others said restaurants are effectively paying fees on meals tax and gratuities, which they argued should not be subject to interchange charges. On the other side, the Cooperative Credit Union Association said interchange revenue helps credit unions fund fraud prevention, rapid card replacement, and member protections, and warned that state limits on interchange could weaken those safeguards and lead to higher consumer costs or reduced services. Airlines for America testified that airline credit card rewards are popular, support travel and jobs in Massachusetts, and could be harmed by interchange reform. The National Restaurant Association and a payments-policy attorney countered that interchange fees are set by card networks rather than competitive markets, that banks remain highly profitable even with rewards, and that states can act after recent court decisions. No votes were taken; the hearing consisted of testimony and questions from commissioners.

Transcript Highlights:

• Likewise, Medicare data—this would be coming from CMS, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
• Similarly, Head Start, run out of the Department of Health and Human Services, does not have kind of
• Postal Service, that's federal, you know, sort of a USPS-to-Census Bureau data flow.
• Postal Service, that's federal service. asterisk represents state data. So with U.S.
• Postal Service, that's federal, you know, sort of a USPS to Census Bureau data flow.

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on the Census

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thus, the department was unable to make certain changes to certain MVE services for the duration of the
• Thus, the department was unable to make certain changes to certain MVE services for the duration of the
• And you are wanting to raise it to where it would be $20 to help fund those particular services there
• Any parties represented by legal aid services do not pay this surcharge.
• I also have some data that bears that out from the federal... ...Food Safety Inspection Service.

Committee: House Corrections and Public Institutions

Summary: The committee first took up executive action on Senate Bill 890. Members explained that the House committee substitute combined provisions from related bills, changed the title to accommodate an amendment, and restored language that had been unintentionally repealed in section 217.550. The amendment was adopted, the substitute was adopted, and the House Committee Substitute for SB 890 was voted do pass by a roll call of 11 ayes and 1 no. The committee then heard Senate Bill 945 from Senator Carla May, which would raise the civil filing surcharge in the city of St. Louis from $15 to up to $20 to support the law library and related court services. Senator May and a representative of the Law Library Association of St. Louis testified that the surcharge had not been raised since 1996, that costs had increased, and that the increase would help maintain legal research resources and public access. Questions focused on whether the amount was sufficient and what other funding sources existed; there was no opposition testimony. Finally, the committee heard House Concurrent Resolution 29, which urges Congress to restore mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef and pork. The sponsor and supporters argued that consumers should know where meat comes from, that independent cattle producers are harmed by consolidation in the packing industry, and that voluntary labeling is inadequate. Opponents from the Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Chamber of Commerce, and Missouri Pork Association argued that mandatory labeling adds regulatory burden, is not supported by consumer purchasing data, and should remain voluntary. The hearing included extensive testimony from cattle producers and consumers, but no vote on HCR 29 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, familiar with state civil service.
• Would you agree that we need to take a look at classifications in civil service across the board?
• So, we're looking at all of the MQs, the classification, the whole structure of civil service right now
• </c> the whole structure of civil service the whole structure of civil service right<00:18:06.920><c>
• if they were to separate and leave and if they were to separate and leave state<00:31:26.480><c> service

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Labor and Technology heard testimony on several measures relating to public employment, the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (EUTF), retirement benefits, and cafeteria plans. HB 2472 and HB 2276, both concerning EUTF staff and investment office staff salaries, drew support from the trust fund and labor groups, and no opposition was heard in person. HB 2272 and HB 2273, emergency appropriations for public employment cost items, were supported by the administration and labor representatives; members briefly clarified which bargaining units were covered. A longer discussion centered on HB 1664, which would address a dispute mechanism for EUTF-related negotiations. HGEA said the current process lacks a dispute resolution path and that the bill would allow interest arbitration when the state and union disagree. The Department of Human Resources Development and the Budget and Finance director raised concerns about consistency across bargaining units and the role of an arbitrator unfamiliar with the complexities of the system. Senator Moriwaki questioned whether another dispute forum might be more appropriate, but no alternative resolution was settled. The committee also heard HB 1655, which would make retirement benefits negotiable, and HB 1658, concerning collective bargaining repricing. ERS opposed HB 1655, saying it could create administrative and tax problems if retirement benefits were negotiated separately across many bargaining units, while UPW, HGEA, HSTA, and UPA supported it as a bargaining issue. On HB 1658, DHRD explained that repricing is an internal classification tool meant to preserve equal pay for equal work, not to address market pay, and said a single arbitrator or the Merit Appeals Board could handle disputes; HGEA preferred a neutral arbitrator and opposed the Merit Appeals Board as too employer-controlled. The final measure, HB 1661 on cafeteria plans, was supported by UPW and HGEA. DHRD said it planned to raise the maximum contribution through rulemaking but needed to manage plan solvency and timing because IRS limits change on a calendar-year basis while the state plan runs on a fiscal year. The committee then moved into decision-making and adopted recommendations to pass HB 2472 and HB 2276 as amended/unamended after a brief correction to the vote language.

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of people don't see what these chaplains do and what they do for service members, and the amount
• My concern is not with military service, which I deeply respect, but with ensuring that any pathway to
• The fire districts pay a service fee on every collection that's made.
• The fire districts pay a service fee on every collection that's made, so it's not an undue burden.
• . ...lives as a result of their service.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So they try to be within about 10 to 12 miles, and we get really good service.
• So they do give us great service.
• Postal Service, you don't know when. The other problem is, right now with the U.S.
• But the challenges we face to provide the services we do...
• We're cutting taxes and cutting services.

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your time and your service to the state of Texas. Thank you.
• violent crimes for the funeral service, and the deductible is $150,000.
• If you run somebody over with a forklift during a funeral service, then it doesn't cover that either.
• Members, all child care providers in the Texas Workforce Commission's Child Care Services Scholarship
• Emergency Medical Services, and I am here in support of House Bill 4995.

Bills: HB223

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: municipal budget, county budget, local government finance, spending cap, expenditure limit, inflation plus population growth, taxpayer impact statement, budget transparency, property tax, fees, Legislative Budget Board, voter approval, disaster spending, fiscal restraint, Texas Local Government Code, city budget, county expenditures, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have in these counties, are able to get the relief they need while still being able to provide the services
• Thank you for your time and thank you for your service to the state. Thank you. All right. Mr.
• And for a long time, it was not considered a service-connected disability.
• And for a long time, it was not considered a service-connected disability.
• I've been here as a result of service.

Bills: HB42

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: special prosecutor, state law, criminal justice, accountability, law enforcement

Summary: The committee heard Senator Flores lay out the committee substitute for HB 2894, which would expand state reimbursement eligibility for local governments disproportionately affected by the disabled veterans homestead exemption. Flores said the bill would add certain municipalities in Bell, Coryell, and Lampasas counties if lost ad valorem tax revenue equals or exceeds 10% of general revenue, while existing recipients would remain under the current 2% threshold. Lampasas and Bell County officials and the City of Killeen testified in support, describing significant revenue losses and urging adequate funding. One witness, Howard Avery, argued any reimbursement should be counted as property tax revenue for voter-approval rate purposes to avoid a windfall. The committee later adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably, with one nay. The committee also heard SB 782, which would create a temporary severance tax exemption for restimulated inactive oil and gas wells, intended to encourage investment in mature wells. The Comptroller explained the revised fiscal note as effectively zero because the wells are currently marginal and not generating meaningful tax revenue, while industry witnesses said the bill could extend well life, support local economies, and reduce orphan-well liabilities. Public testimony was supportive, and the bill was left pending. Members then heard HB 3033, a DPS-related grant program funded by voluntary $3 donations on driver’s license and ID applications to support nonprofits aiding injured or fallen DPS officers and their families, including memorial highway signs. The DPS Officers Association supported the bill, citing existing foundation assistance and the need for a steady funding stream. The committee later reported the bill favorably. The committee also considered SB 524, which would permanently extend the franchise tax and fee exemption for qualifying veteran-owned businesses for their first five years; testimony from a veteran business owner and veterans advocates supported the measure, and the committee adopted the substitute and reported it favorably. Additional measures were laid out and left pending or voted out: HB 3594, a local San Antonio retiree health care fund bill with agreed changes for contributions, spouse benefits, and remarriage rules, was supported by stakeholders and reported favorably; HB 4738 would repeal small administrative fees tied to certain loans and was reported favorably; HB 42 on HEAF funding and HB 5246 on the Texas Space Commission were heard and left pending. The committee also reported HB 3474, a cleanup bill for the Pension Review Board’s investment performance review schedule, and HB 2802, the Austin firefighter retirement fund bill, both favorably. Finally, the committee took up HB 1056, which would allow gold and silver held in the Texas Bullion Depository to function as legal tender through debit-card transactions. Supporters framed it as a way to use hard assets and expand financial options, while bankers and some senators raised major operational, consumer-protection, tax, and constitutional questions; the bill remained under discussion as testimony began.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and the program, as inspiring as it may be, without any funding for the providers, the services, the
• Besides Senator Geraldine Thompson's service in the House of Representatives and the Florida Senate,
• And you all have heard us in the words we said for her memorial service.
• You know, certainly we have several service members, prior service and current... 38 yays, zero nays,
• members prior service and current And, you know, certainly we have several service members, prior service

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and included several member introductions and recognitions, including awareness resolutions and visiting groups in the galleries. The chamber then moved to a special order calendar and took up a series of bills, with most receiving unanimous or near-unanimous support. Early measures included SB 88 on utility terrain vehicles, which would allow local governments to designate certain roads for UTV use under safety restrictions; it passed 32-5 after debate over safety concerns. SB 102 on exceptional student education would create a workforce credential and badge program for students with autism spectrum disorder or modified curricula, and passed 36-0 after discussion of workforce access and district costs. SB 106 on exploitation of vulnerable adults would allow alternative service of process through the same app used by scammers, and passed 37-0. SB 130 on compensation for victims of wrongful incarceration would extend filing deadlines and remove restrictive bars to compensation, and passed 38-0. SB 158 would eliminate cost sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast exams under the state employee health plan, and passed 38-0 after testimony about early detection and access to follow-up care. The most extensive debate came on SB 234, which would revise laws on resisting law enforcement and add a mandatory life sentence for manslaughter of a law enforcement officer. Supporters argued it was needed after the killing of Officer Jason Raynor and to clarify that violent resistance to officers is not justified; opponents raised concerns about removing “good faith” language, potential impacts on Fourth Amendment issues, racial profiling, and the severity of the mandatory sentence. An amendment to restore “in good faith” failed, and after further debate the sponsor temporarily postponed the bill. The Senate then passed SB 262 on technical trust-code changes by a 36-0 vote, and later recognized Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity members in the gallery. Additional bills passed with broad support. SB 274 designated portions of Orlando roadways as Harris Rosen Way and Geraldine Thompson Way, honoring philanthropist Harris Rosen and the late Senator Geraldine Thompson; it passed 38-0 and drew a motion for co-sponsorship. SB 280 created an enforcement mechanism for candidate party-affiliation qualification requirements and passed 38-0. SB 296 repealed the statewide mandate for later middle and high school start times and shifted the issue to local districts after reporting requirements, passing 38-0. SB 356 designated January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida and passed after remarks about the Holocaust memorial and the need to confront antisemitism. Throughout the session, senators frequently framed their votes in terms of public safety, education, access to care, civil justice, and commemorating community leaders and historical events.

Transcript Highlights:

• And on behalf of our member companies that produce and transport and refine and liquefy and service and
• companies, including leading service companies like Halliburton and SLB, formerly Schlumberger, uh,
• So that's one reason as gas prices come up, we'll have a lot of wells return to service.
• And so returning these wells to service, um, Is increasingly happening and we don't want to listen, we
• And with robust participation in the ancillary services market, storage frees up natural gas and other

Committee: House Energy Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• the Department of Education to really help provide that coordinated and that seamless educational service
• The Division of Public Schools really helps oversee policy and provide services to our students, to our
• We have 47 schools, and what some people don't know about our schools is that we provide services that
• Because we also have to make sure food services there. We've got to cook for people.
• Paul Abatonazi, Associate Superintendent for Student Support Services for St.

Summary: The subcommittee first heard an overview from Department of Education Chancellor Paul Burns on Florida’s K-12 governance structure and major divisions, including early learning, public schools, safe schools, school choice, and accountability. He highlighted school readiness and VPK, teacher preparation and licensure, school safety functions, scholarship and virtual/home education programs, and FAST progress monitoring. Burns also cited statewide gains such as higher mid-year reading performance, a record graduation rate of 89.7%, and record CTE enrollment, while members questioned the meaning of Florida’s “number one” education rankings, teacher pay, post-COVID learning loss, vacancies, and chronic absenteeism. St. Lucie County Superintendent John Prince then described the scale and responsibilities of a mid-sized district, emphasizing student safety, transportation, meals, hurricane shelter operations, career and technical education, teacher recruitment and retention, progress monitoring, remediation, and mental health supports. Members asked about school shelter construction standards, remediation funding, late school start times, attendance, and concordance scores; Prince argued for more flexibility for CTE pathways and noted that local districts use a mix of state and federal funds to support remediation and staffing. The committee then moved to an early warning systems panel. Burns explained that Florida law requires districts to use attendance, behavior/suspensions, course performance, FAST results, and other academic indicators to identify students needing support, with districts and families developing intervention plans. Superintendents from Putnam, St. Johns, and St. Lucie counties said chronic absenteeism is tied to achievement and NAEP decline, but causes vary by district, including poverty, transportation, daycare, family instability, travel, and student athletics. They described MTSS, PBIS, home visits, attendance letters, and community partnerships as responses. Members also discussed VPK access, full-day VPK funding, excused versus unexcused absences, and the need for earlier intervention in pre-K and K-2. Finally, Vice Chancellor Darren Norris outlined Florida’s post-Parkland school safety measures, including armed school officers, anonymous reporting, behavioral threat assessment teams, mental health training, panic alert systems, emergency drills, active assailant response policies, and firearm detection canines. Superintendents said compliance is costly and often requires shifting local funds, but they praised state grants for mental health, hardening, and mapping. They noted ongoing challenges with new mandates, capital costs, manual reporting burdens, and the need to balance safety requirements with classroom resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then a conservator was appointed: East Valley Fiduciary Services, in December.
• So do you happen to know, is there a change in the level of service that would justify that?
• So, no, there's absolutely no difference in the service other than Sam's not comfortable.
• They were found unsubstantiated by Adult Protective Services.
• Adult Protective Services determined that I was working in my father's best interests.

Committee: Senate Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Elder Abuse

Keywords: 1182, all