Transcript Highlights:

• And so I urge your support. David and I are happy to answer any questions.
• And so I urge your support. David and I are happy to answer any questions. Thank you so much, Rory.
• I'm here on behalf of the Washington State Association for Justice testifying in support of this bill
• We do that in good faith and in support of returning our policyholder to pre-claim status.
• Yeah, we've had discussions about that and we are supportive of your bill and the work group.

Bills: HB2428 , HB2399 , HB2087

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: life insurance, policy lapse, policy cancellation, nonpayment of premium, premium grace period, lapse notice, termination notice, third-party notice, third-party designee, beneficiary protection, consumer protection, insurance regulation, insurer notice requirements, policyholder, beneficiary, Washington RCW, insurance code, unintentional lapse, coverage continuation, premium delinquency

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here to support 5820.
• The position that I am conveying is supported by the majority of our council and reflects the support
• I'm asking for your support of Senate Bill 6064. Thank you.
• I'm asking for your support of Senate Bill 6064. Thank you.
• He asked the committee not to support the bill.

Bills: SB5820 , SB6064 , SB6077 , SB6101 , SB6013 , SB6066

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: freight rail, rail corridor, short-line railroad, rail-dependent uses, industrial land use, growth management act, GMA, comprehensive plan, transportation element, land use planning, local government, county planning, city planning, critical areas, agricultural lands, forest lands, mineral resource lands, urban growth area, development regulations, notice on permits

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll move forward with testimony in support of the bill.
• I'm here testifying in support of the bill.
• Further testimony in support of House Bill 2105.
• So I'll let them do the talking for the most support.
• We are generally in support of the legislation.

Committee: House General Laws

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, um, the next document that you have is a high school support indicator.
• We have, um, family support specialists, nurses. So the idea is that you...
• into that school and be there to provide support to the families, to the staff.
• into that school and be there to provide support to the families, to the staff.
• They provide prevention, Intervention, shelter, counseling, and family support.

Committee: House Common Education

Summary: The committee held an interim study on how to educate and support students with severe violent or disruptive behavior while protecting classmates, teachers, and school staff. Members framed the issue as one involving students who have often experienced trauma and may be removed from class through suspension, expulsion, or juvenile placement, but who still need a meaningful path back to school. Several legislators shared personal experiences as former educators or administrators and emphasized that schools need clearer criteria for removal and return, along with stronger support for families and staff. Dr. Michelle Butler, an alternative education director, testified that Oklahoma’s current alternative education system is not designed to serve students removed for major discipline issues because placement is generally voluntary and programs are built around students who need a different learning environment, not punitive removal. She argued for early intervention, stronger attendance enforcement, trauma screening, teacher training, and a regional or cooperative model that would combine credentialed educators, social workers, therapists, and family counselors. She also described existing programs such as Trace Academy, Rogers County Youth Services diversion programs, and the limitations of virtual-only models and current funding, saying the system lacks sufficient resources and staffing. Representatives and senators asked about funding, staffing, credentials, and whether statutes should be changed to prevent alternative education dollars from going to programs that do not provide direct services. Other testimony came from Family and Children’s Services and Mid-Del Youth and Family Services, both of which described embedded school-based mental health, crisis response, intensive outpatient services, family engagement, and juvenile diversion programs. Witnesses stressed that wraparound services, school-community partnerships, and a bridge back to the home school are essential, and that many students and families need mandatory or strongly supported participation rather than purely voluntary help. The study concluded with members noting possible next steps, including expanding or supplementing alternative education, improving early intervention, and examining participation requirements and transition supports; no votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> ability</c><00:09:18.000><c> to</c> Minnesota supports our ability to Minnesota supports our ability
• And with your support, gymnast Sunisa Lee was able to...
• So, I appreciate your guys' time and support. Thank you.
• So, I appreciate your guys' time and support. Thank you.
• </c> support. Thank you. Thank you very much. support. Thank you. Thank you very much.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not in support of the bill today.
• Why has no one emailed my office in support of this bill?
• I appreciate your support.
• Richard Pinsky on the substitute amendment, waiving and support, and Matt Forrest, waiving and support
• I’m still in support of it.

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources met with a quorum present and considered a series of environmental, water, waste, boating, and land-use bills. SB 834 on recreational fishing vessel licenses was briefly explained as aligning licensure rules for freshwater and saltwater captains and was reported favorably. SB 1208 on service lateral assessment and rehabilitation would require periodic CCTV inspections, a seven-year assessment cycle, and a long-term public database for sewer laterals; county representatives opposed it over private-property and cost concerns, but the bill was reported favorably. SB 978 on advanced wastewater treatments, as amended, would require DEP reports and a long-term prioritization plan for upgrading large wastewater facilities to advanced treatment; the committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee then took up SB 1822 on auxiliary containers, which would preempt local regulation of certain packaging and define the term in statute. The sponsor argued it would reduce a patchwork of local rules and help businesses, while opponents from environmental groups, local advocates, and some local governments warned it would weaken plastic and foam restrictions, including in parks and coastal communities. Despite substantial opposition and several senators expressing concern, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for SB 384 on notice for annexation of state-owned lands, after a technical amendment requiring written or email notice to legislative delegations, and reported it favorably. SB 1008 on waste incineration would bar new ash-producing incinerators or waste-to-energy facilities within a half-mile of residential, commercial, or school property. The sponsor said the bill was aimed at preventing another fire-related incident like the Doral plant and clarified it was intended to apply only to new facilities, not existing ones; waste-to-energy and county representatives opposed it as too restrictive, while several senators sought clarifying changes. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also adopted a substitute amendment to CS for SB 594 on port channel and turning basin buffer zones, reducing the proposed anchoring setback from 5,000 feet to 2,500 feet and allowing ports to create buffer zones after public hearings and rulemaking; the bill was then reported favorably. Finally, SB 830 on lost or abandoned property, aimed at streamlining removal of migrant vessels that pose navigational and environmental hazards, was reported favorably after brief support testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Nursing education and support the preparation of qualified nursing professionals.
• Are we providing them the supportive tools to be successful?
• Another area that we have really supported our students...
• Another area that we have really supported our students, as Ms.
• I think full buy-in and support from my administration.

Summary: The subcommittee met to examine Florida’s nursing education pipeline and the state’s persistently low NCLEX passage rates. Chair Tuck opened by noting the projected nurse shortage and Florida’s ranking near the bottom nationally for first-time NCLEX pass rates. The Department of Health explained the Board of Nursing’s approval process for nursing programs, including application requirements, probation standards, and termination for programs that repeatedly fail passage-rate benchmarks. The Florida Center for Nursing then presented statewide data showing Florida has more test takers than most states, but still trails the national average; the gap has narrowed in recent years, though Florida remains below average. Members focused heavily on why the state continues to underperform, with discussion of faculty shortages, clinical placement constraints, accreditation, student preparedness, and the large share of newer private for-profit programs among those placed on probation. Committee members asked about how probation works, what happens when programs improve, and whether the board requires corrective plans. They also questioned the relationship between program type and outcomes, the effect of Operation Nightingale, and how many students fail and retest. The Florida Center for Nursing said first-attempt pass rates are the standard measure and that students who fail are expected to remediate and retest, though costs vary. The center also said Florida’s data shows accredited programs outperform approved or probationary ones, and that the state’s nursing workforce challenges are tied to broader issues such as faculty vacancies, clinical site competition, and student demographics, including many students balancing work, family, and language barriers. A panel of nursing school leaders from public, private nonprofit, and private for-profit institutions then described strategies used to improve outcomes. These included transparent recruitment, early orientation, tutoring, success coaching, stronger faculty development, curriculum mapping to NCLEX standards, higher course benchmarks, mandatory remediation, simulation labs, and commercial NCLEX prep tools such as ATI, Kaplan, and HESI. Several panelists said their programs had improved after probation or had very high passage rates, and they emphasized that student success depends on academic preparation, clinical experience, and support services. Members also asked about tuition, program length, translation into other languages, and faculty recruitment; panelists said costs vary widely, faculty hiring is difficult because hospitals pay more, and some schools are considering medical Spanish and immersion options rather than full curriculum translation.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to have a workforce that supports job growth, which is another passion of mine, to see business
• We should support those who are, but also provide ample opportunities for those who may not be.
• To my left is Andrea Vernon, who is providing administrative support.
• And in the back, we have Kendall Hamilton, also providing administrative support.
• So thank you for your attention, your ongoing support, and I look forward to your questions.

Summary: The Careers and Workforce Subcommittee met for its first meeting of the year, took roll, and heard member introductions centered on the importance of workforce pathways beyond the traditional four-year college route. Members repeatedly emphasized manufacturing, trades, rural workforce needs, apprenticeships, and helping students and adults find multiple paths to good jobs. The chair outlined the subcommittee’s focus on policies that build a skilled workforce and announced the day’s theme would be manufacturing, with presentations from the Florida Department of Commerce, the Florida Semiconductor Institute, and Fleet Force CDL training. Secretary Alex Kelly presented Florida’s manufacturing report, saying manufacturing is a major economic driver and that Florida has become the 10th largest state in manufacturing employment. He highlighted strong job multipliers, rapid growth in manufacturing GDP and establishments, the importance of logistics and ports, and the state’s small-business-heavy manufacturing base. He also stressed the aging manufacturing workforce, the need for modern skills such as robotics, cybersecurity, and data analytics, and the role of public-private partnerships, apprenticeships, and workforce education investments in supporting reshoring and industry growth. Dr. David Arnold described Florida’s semiconductor sector and the Florida Semiconductor Institute’s mission to grow research, workforce, and ecosystem development. He said semiconductors are strategically important, Florida ranks fifth nationally in semiconductor workforce, and the main bottleneck is mid-level technician talent rather than engineers or entry-level workers. He pointed to NeoCity, Valencia College, and other regional partnerships as models, and said the state needs more proactive planning, better instructor capacity, and stronger pathways from K-12 through postsecondary. Evan Agiloff of Fleet Force discussed Florida’s CDL shortage, saying trucking is essential to the supply chain, Florida has about 18,000 open CDL positions, and Fleet Force’s college-based model can quickly move students into middle-class jobs. Members asked about apprenticeships, CTE pathways, semiconductor training, infrastructure needs, and how to expand and better fund workforce programs; no votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• the teaching learning of all within the division of public schools to be able to support the teaching
• schools are the new authorizing support that we have for our Florida College System institutions and
• We have provided a great deal of support as they get what amounts to their own school district off the
• So is there any type of support that is in place for schools that are school improvement schools that
• Is there some type of support in regards to that? You're recognized. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee held its first interim meeting, took roll, and established a quorum. Members introduced themselves, many noting backgrounds in education, school boards, local government, or parenting, and Chair Jenna Persons-Mulicka outlined the committee’s goal of building the fiscal year 2025-26 Pre-K-12 budget. She also reviewed the fiscal year 2024-25 education budget, noting that the Pre-K-12 portion totals about $21 billion, with the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP) as the largest driver, along with major funding for VPK, school readiness, and school recognition. She explained that federal COVID relief funds have ended and that recent school choice legislation has affected budget structure. Commissioner Manny Diaz and department leaders then gave overviews of their divisions. Diaz highlighted Florida’s education rankings, record graduation rate, progress monitoring, expanded school choice participation, charter school growth, and teacher salary investments, while emphasizing a focus on literacy, math, and early learning. Carrie Miller described the Division of Early Learning’s school readiness and VPK programs, their funding, eligibility, accountability systems, and the importance of kindergarten readiness. Paul Burns outlined the Division of Public Schools’ work on educator quality, literacy, standards, certification, family outreach, federal programs, and school improvement. Suzanne Pridgen reviewed finance and operations functions, including budget management, FEFP calculations, grants, procurement, transportation, and emergency management. Adam Emerson described parental choice programs, including scholarships, charter schools, schools of hope, virtual education, and home education. Darren Norris detailed the Office of Safe Schools’ responsibilities for risk assessments, compliance inspections, threat management, grants, and training created after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas tragedy. Members asked questions about several issues, including whether the Safe Schools office recommends changes to the school safety grant distribution formula, whether early learning eligibility should shift from federal poverty level to state median income, how scholarship payments are verified to avoid funding students who return to public school, and whether daily attendance systems could improve funding accuracy. Other questions addressed hurricane-related survey disruptions, VPK provider reimbursement rates and instructional hours, teacher salary increases, school start time costs, and how voucher schools handle IEP accommodations. Department officials generally said some issues remain under review, supported moving school readiness eligibility to SMI, noted that scholarship and enrollment data are cross-checked and adjusted when needed, and said progress monitoring now helps schools support mobile students. On school safety, officials said exemptions are allowed in statute for some items but not for classroom doors, and that district-specific conditions matter. No votes were taken and no formal actions were reported beyond receiving presentations and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. supporting that Brady designation. And supporting that Brady designation.
• Sheriffs support reasonable standards. We support safe and constitutional jail operations.
• Sheriffs support reasonable standards. We support safe and constitutional jail operations.
• </c> testify in support of House File 2879. testify in support of House File 2879.
• </c> urge your support. urge your support. &gt;&gt; Thank<01:35:23.360><c> you.

Bills: HF962 , HF3541 , HF2936 , HF3762 , HF2879

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: Capitol security, public safety, emergency management, state buildings, law enforcement, corrections, legislative approval, rule-making, financial impact, jail regulations, expungement, firearm eligibility, criminal records, organized retail crime, retail theft, supply chain theft, theft enterprise, organized theft, cargo theft, shoplifting

Transcript Highlights:

• I support use our precious resources.
• </c><01:03:35.920><c> of</c> Um, you already know I'm supportive of Um, you already know I'm supportive
• We fully support the stakeholders.
• :31.280><c> legislation</c><01:29:32.000><c> for</c> supportive of enabling legislation for supportive
• </c> previous testifiers, but note we support previous testifiers, but note we support the<01:29:40.000

Bills: HF2928 , HF2912 , HF2297

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: water appropriation, data centers, environmental review, energy conservation, permit application, carbon-free energy, geothermal energy, renewable energy, Macalester College, appropriation, sustainability, solar energy, pollinator programs, license plates, agrivoltaics, environmental sustainability, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> can maintain its bipartisan support this can maintain its bipartisan support this session<00:19:
• </c><00:21:04.400><c> for</c> we would like to express support for we would like to express support for
• </c><00:21:53.640><c> thank</c> with this and urge your support thank with this and urge your support
• </c> Nebraska um and while we are supportive Nebraska um and while we are supportive of<01:12:30.120>
• </c><01:20:08.320><c> tax</c> always oppose tax cuts or support tax always oppose tax cuts or support

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> about bringing these supports to them. about bringing these supports to them.
• What are your sort of support that.
• :02:20.840><c> a</c> customized support, say it's a customized support, say it's a multi-tiered<02:02
• /c> multi-tiered system of support, that's multi-tiered system of support, that's really<02:02:22.760
• </c> support that? No, I can't. support that? No, I can't.

Committee: Joint Education

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am here today to support... Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• It came through rules, everybody supporting it. It came through rules. Everybody's supporting it.
• Speaking for support of the bill. Proceed, gentlemen.
• I'll be voting in support of this today, and I hope for enough support to get this to the finish line
• I fully support the gentleman's amendment.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous day’s journal by roll call vote, 127-2. Members then used points of personal privilege and guest introductions to recognize a new grandchild, President Thomas Jefferson’s birthday, Artemis II and Missouri’s role in space manufacturing, Line Worker Appreciation Day, a visiting mayor, and a former representative. The chamber then moved into third reading and perfection business. Several bills were passed. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2740, creating a pediatric disease task force in the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, passed 139-1 after supporters described it as a limited, accountable way to coordinate research and report on outcomes. House Bill 2422, which raises a county filing fee to support the Department of Agriculture’s Land Survey Program, passed 131-6 after members said the program could not continue on the current fee. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 311, moving bail bond oversight under the Board of Private Investigators and Fire Investigators, passed 112-22. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 3009, allowing nonprofit pharmacies to provide medications during emergencies, passed 133-6. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2474, authorizing progressive design-build project delivery for public construction, and House Committee Substitute for House Bill 3076, clarifying that common agricultural practices are exempt from non-point source permitting under clean water law, were both ordered perfected and printed. House Joint Resolution 159, which would modernize the state treasurer’s constitutional investment authority, drew the most debate. The sponsor argued it would update outdated restrictions, allow safer investment options, and generate an estimated $15.1 million without raising taxes. An amendment adding legislative, governor, and auditor approval for changes to the investment policy was adopted. Supporters called the proposal conservative and bipartisan, while opponents warned the language was too broad and could reopen questions about risky investments or conflict-of-interest issues. After debate, the House adopted the committee substitute and ordered the resolution perfected and printed. The chamber also took up House Bill 2436, dealing with animal impoundment, return of animals when no charges are filed or a defendant is found innocent, and related animal neglect provisions. Members adopted a title amendment, then adopted an amendment creating penalties for malicious false reports of animal abuse and another amendment modernizing neglect and abandonment offenses, including provisions on adequate care and control and higher penalties for repeat or harmful conduct. Debate centered on whether the bill was necessary, how to define malicious reporting, and concerns from animal welfare groups versus law enforcement and agricultural interests. The bill remained under consideration as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate your support.
• Rochelle Dugge, President, in support, do not wish to speak.
• It is all self-run, peer-supported.
• I respectfully urge your support. Thank you.
• housing, non-permanent supportive housing, self-housing, family reunification, or Veterans Affairs supportive

Bills: HB414 , HB457 , HB475 , HB611 , HB616 , HB740 , HB897 , HB925 , HB926 , HB931 , HB949 , HB962 , HB1076

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: healthcare, criminal convictions, employment, background checks, prohibited offenses, homelessness, homeless shelter, emergency shelter, transitional housing, group home, halfway house, shelter standards, housing standards, sanitation, habitability, fire marshal, inspection, local permitting, parish government, Louisiana Department of Health

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> We've been include them in our Support We've been include them in our Support Our<00:14:04.680><
• </c> supports this bill becoming a law. supports this bill becoming a law.
• I support this very much. I have two questions.
• I I support this very much. I this bill. I I support this very much.
• I'm just wondering about that, even though I absolutely support your bill.

Bills: HF4615 , HF3532 , HF4492 , HF4171

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Keywords: military, pay, officers, enlisted members, state active service, Minnesota Statutes, veterans, burial eligibility, honor guard, state cemeteries, military service, burial fees, veterans affairs, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, advisory task force, commanders task force, veterans service organizations, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, VFW

Transcript Highlights:

• The sheriffs across Idaho support the spirit of the law.
• I do support the legislation. I have some concerns.
• I support the legislation. I'll support the motion to the 14th only because the sponsor says so.
• So I will be supporting the motion.
• And I still don't support the legislation.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Summary: The committee first approved minutes from March 6 and March 9, then advanced two gubernatorial appointments to the State Building Authority: Nicholas Gouho and Todd Christensen, both with recommendations for confirmation. It also introduced RS 33670 on community schools, RS 33719 on sewer district rate regulation, and RS 33722 related to a presidential primary and down-ballot races. Senate Bill 1376, dealing with online candidate filing and shifting local filing/reporting to county clerks, was supported by the Secretary of State’s office and sent to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. The committee then heard House Concurrent Resolution 29, which sought to designate the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR as terrorist organizations. The sponsor argued the resolution would help guide future state policy, while some senators raised concerns about the strength of the claims and the need for more research. Despite those concerns, the resolution was sent to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. House Bill 659, requiring local law enforcement to apply for available ICE 287(g) agreements and publicly explain any refusal, drew extensive testimony. The sponsor and supporters said it would improve coordination, transparency, and public safety, while sheriffs, police chiefs, and several citizens argued it would undermine local control, add costs, and strain trust with immigrant communities. A motion to send the bill to the 14th order for possible amendment failed 4-5, and the committee then voted 5-4 to hold the bill in committee. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1356, which would make Ada County Highway District elections partisan and countywide rather than district-based. The sponsor said countywide elections would better reflect countywide transportation needs, while numerous residents, advocacy groups, and ACHD representatives opposed the bill as unnecessary politicization that would dilute local representation and increase campaign costs. The transcript ends during continued testimony against the bill, with no final committee action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Public Schools Educational Support Program.
• Appropriating money to the Public Schools Educational Support Program's Division of Student Support for
• It supports local commerce.
• Source of funding to support their pay.
• I normally don't support license plate bills.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there anybody here in support of the amendment? The bill. Anybody here in support of the bill?
• Therefore, State Police supports Senate Bill 241. Thank you. Mr.
• Those in the audience in support will take three. How many do we have on Zoom in support?
• We're looking countywide to help support those efforts.
• And grow it in thanks to the legislature and their support.

Bills: SB241 , SB145

Committee: Senate Senate 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

Transcript Highlights:

• shelter and supportive housing and also have had a number of youth programs that we've supported as
• There's permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing, supportive services only, and then homeless management
• information supportive housing, rapid rehousing, supportive services only, and then homeless management
• We've distributed over $90 million to support affordable and attainable housing, and that has supported
• Things that I want to highlight here with your support, or with your continued support, and the request

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: 996, all