Video & Transcript : 'statement of financial interests' :
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- in favor of this piece of legislation.
- So I’m hoping you got a good deal out of the SRF fund, either a low-interest or no-interest loan, and
- one of the most densely populated sections of the city, one of the more low-income sections of the city
- And again, the financial waste, just by way of example, in March of 2018, Tom Wallach of the Boston Globe
- I didn't even have a support statement for this bill from one of our state's most famous celebrities,
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several bills. Representative David Linsky supported HB 3383, which would designate the song “Roadrunner” as the official rock song of Massachusetts, describing its Boston roots and cultural significance. Representative Sean Garberle supported HB 3335 on public access to historical records, arguing that records from state institutions should be released after 75 years and that families and researchers should be able to identify people buried in unmarked graves at former state institutions. Representative Rodney Elliott and Lowell officials supported HB 4138, authorizing easements for a Lowell sewer separation project; they said the project is needed for Clean Water Act compliance, will reduce combined sewer overflows into the Merrimack River, and must proceed quickly to meet SRF and consent-decree timelines. Committee members asked about Article 97, the location and scope of the easement, environmental justice impacts, and minority/small business participation in construction.
The committee also heard extensive testimony on Senate 2183 and its House companion, which would elevate the Massachusetts National Guard to a cabinet-level position reporting directly to the Governor. Senators Mike Moore and John Velis, along with the National Guard Association’s Matthew McKenna, argued the change would reduce bureaucracy, improve communication and readiness, and reflect the Guard’s broad domestic and military missions. Velis cited the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home tragedy as an example of a breakdown in communication, while committee members said they wanted more information, including input from the Governor’s office and Guard leadership, before acting. The committee noted the distinction between state-controlled and federalized Guard missions and said it would continue reviewing the issue.
Senator Liz Miranda and a large panel of survivors, advocates, and Northeastern law students testified in support of S. 2174 and S. 2177, which would create an office and task force on unsolved homicides, allow families to petition for case review after three years, require written responses, and establish a tip line, database, and dedicated funding. Witnesses described long-standing lack of communication, low clearance rates, and the disproportionate impact on Black and Brown communities. Senator Becca Rausch also testified on S. 2210, extending public records law to the governor and Legislature, and S. 2207, creating stronger information-governance and records-retention standards; she said both would improve transparency and reduce waste. The transcript does not reflect any votes taken during the hearing, though chairs repeatedly indicated support for moving some bills favorably and said the committee would continue reviewing the National Guard proposal.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- that kind of stuff, um, kind of piqued me because of the ups and downs and the hurdles you have to go
- of the kind of piqued me cuz of the the<00:03:32.200><c> ups</c><00:03:32.440><c> and</c><00:03:32.560
- But next up is Carolyn Cadarell for Office of Aging in support of your nomination.
- Next we have Beverly Gothly, Chair of PABEA, also in support of Raylene Ternol.
- </c> juveniles for much of my career. juveniles for much of my career.
Committee:
Senate Health and Human Services
Summary:
The Committee on Health and Human Services held a hearing on several Governor’s Message nominations. The chair opened with instructions about live streaming, testimony limits, and the possibility of reconvening if technical problems occurred. One nomination, GM 542 for Jamie Gagnon to the West O‘ahu subarea of the Hawaii Health Planning Council, was initially deferred because he was not present and there was concern he may not have received notice; when recalled later in the hearing, he testified that he wanted to help address limited provider resources and improve coordination of care. The committee also heard from Christine Cabingao Ting Kang for GM 541, but she was not present and her nomination was deferred to Wednesday, March 11 at 1:00 p.m. in Room 225.
The committee then heard strong support testimony for GM 688, Raelynn Tenno for the Pa‘ala Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs. Tenno said she wanted another term because of her experience caring for elderly family members and her work on emergency preparedness for older adults and condominium/HOA communities. Supporters from the Office of Aging, the PABEA chair, the Hawaii Family Caregiver Coalition, and others praised her knowledge of housing, elder issues, and community service. GM 712, Kathleen Merriam for the State Council on Mental Health, also drew support; Merriam described over 40 years in mental health work, including managing a community mental health center in Kaneohe and supporting clubhouse programs.
The committee also considered GM 560, Jeffrey Hicks for the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council. Hicks said his career in justice and juvenile work motivated him to continue contributing to rehabilitation efforts for youth. The chair and members discussed the importance of prevention and rehabilitation in juvenile justice. After testimony, the committee moved to decision-making and voted to advise and consent on GM 542, GM 688, GM 712, and GM 560, while GM 541 was deferred to a later date and time. The hearing then adjourned.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House judiciary committee hears HF768 2/20/25
Transcript Highlights:
- I’m very interested in trends regarding threats of violence, trends regarding what kind of speech is
- I’m very interested in trends regarding threats of violence and what kind of speech is and is not increasing
- a lot of people, many of whom have a state interest.
- a lot of people, many of whom have a state interest.
- a lot of people, many of whom have a state interest.
Summary:
House File 768, sponsored by Vice Chair Hudson, was heard with an author’s amendment (A4) adopted to remove a technical section and put the bill in the intended form. Hudson described the bill as a response to concerns about government monitoring of protected speech, saying it would bar the Minnesota Department of Human Rights from creating or maintaining a database of constitutionally protected speech while preserving the department’s ability to investigate actual discrimination, harassment, threats, or illegal conduct. He emphasized First Amendment protections and argued the state should not track speech simply because it is controversial or unpopular.
The main testimony in support came from Ran Lee of Americans for Prosperity, who echoed the free-speech concerns and said databases of bias incidents can capture lawful speech and create a chilling effect. Representative Rest said she generally supported the free-speech goal but wanted to preserve the Department of Human Rights’ ability to produce biennial reports and analyze de-identified trend data on civil rights incidents, including emerging threats or hateful rhetoric, so lawmakers can respond to patterns without recording individuals’ protected speech. Representative Curran raised concerns that speech trends can relate to public safety and argued that attacks on human rights often begin as speech.
Hudson responded that the Department of Human Rights is not a law enforcement agency and that the bill would not impede criminal investigations. He argued that trying to monitor “trends in thought” would be constitutionally problematic and produce unreliable data, and he distinguished protected speech from criminal conduct. Representative Feist said the department’s existing report already uses aggregate, non-investigative data and suggested there may be room to refine the bill’s language. The bill was laid over for further consideration, with Hudson indicating he was open to continued discussion and possible language changes.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services (01/20/2026)
Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
Transcript Highlights:
- in the interests of people who are it's in the interests of people who are looking<00:28:49.039><c>
- </c><00:47:53.359><c> of</c> ...of thing is not in the best interest of the employees.
- We some type of financial assistance.
- balancing out the interests of the employer and the interests of the complainant or the respondent.
- the interests of of the employer and and the interests of of the employer and and complainant<03:54:10.000
Summary:
The committee began with procedural announcements about report turnaround, amendment submission methods during split operations, a possible January 29 session, the governor’s State of the State on February 5, parking, cafeteria opening, and the plan to finish work by February 10. It then moved into executive session on HB 1123, which would require certain companies to post salary ranges on public job listings. Representative Granger moved ITL, arguing the bill would interfere with negotiations, especially for higher-level jobs, and raise compelled-speech concerns. Supporters, including Representatives Schultz, Sullivan, Cahill, Staub, and others, said salary ranges help applicants avoid wasted time and travel, improve transparency, and are already a common workplace disclosure. The committee voted 10-9 to ITL HB 1123.
The committee next took up HB 177, concerning a definition of remote work in labor law. Representative Murphy moved ITL, saying the bill could burden employers, create vague obligations, duplicate existing protections, and potentially require intrusive compliance measures. Representative Sullivan described a proposed amendment that would narrow the bill to a definition of remote work and remove broader requirements, but the committee ultimately voted 11-9 to ITL HB 177. Members also noted that the amendment had not been fully circulated in time and that the issue might merit further review.
Finally, the committee opened HB 1352, a workers’ compensation bill focused on repricing and payment practices. The sponsor withdrew an initial ITL motion and moved OTP after amendment review. Members discussed concerns raised at the hearing about delayed payments, third-party administrators, and the need for better accountability. Representative McKenzie’s amendment would define good faith, create a voluntary three-year dispute-resolution pilot, restore fines to prior levels, and add reporting/accountability requirements for carriers that miss the 30-day payment deadline. Several members supported the amendment as a way to help small businesses and providers, while others said repricing needed broader study through the workers’ compensation advisory council. The Department of Labor explained that the amendment would require carriers and related payers to report missed determinations to the department and would increase oversight of payment timeliness.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Executive Departments and Administration (02/04/2026)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, Representative, you know, we promote the American way of life, and our mission statement, if you'll
- in passing this bill for the interest in passing this bill for the good<00:51:37.839><c> of</c><00:51
- time on that, because I know that the statements have already been made pretty strongly in favor of
- kind of like is kind of meh. So, do you kind of like is kind of meh.
- There are 29 of them this time that we think have veteran interest.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
ALC-OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE Jan 15th, 2026
ALC-OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE
Transcript Highlights:
- We've got the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and the State Board of Registration for Professional Soil
- Matt Gilmore, Department of Health. Ashley Davis, Director, Arkansas State Board of Nursing.
- The Board of Nursing was created in 1913 with the purpose of oversight for registered nurses.
- The protection of the public occurs through the licensure of qualified nurses, setting standards for
- that there's lots of people.
Summary:
The Occupational Licensing Review Subcommittee met to review reports from the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and the State Board of Registration for Professional Soil Classifiers. Nursing officials described the board’s history and scope, saying it now regulates about 72,000 nurses across multiple license types, including RNs, LPNs, advanced practice nurses, medication assistants, and a new dialysis patient care technician registry. Members asked about workforce shortages, complaint trends, and the board’s finances. The board said Arkansas has enough licensed nurses overall but still has vacancy problems in certain areas, and that common complaints involve criminal backgrounds, fraud or misrepresentation, misappropriation, drug abuse, and other criminal issues. Officials also said the board receives about 2,200 complaints a year, has worked to improve case processing, and is trying to make its reporting more accurate; the average case length was said to be 191 days, though some cases remain open longer while criminal matters are pending. Questions were also raised about using surplus funds for outreach and support, including efforts to encourage nursing careers in rural areas, with officials noting some collaboration with nursing associations and the Arkansas Center for Nursing.
The committee then heard from the Department of Agriculture on professional soil classifiers. Officials explained that the occupation was created in 1975 and is now administered by the Natural Resources Commission after the former board was abolished in 2023. They said soil classifiers are a small, specialized group of professionals who need a four-year degree plus coursework in biological, earth, and soil sciences, and that they typically work on septic system design, wetland determinations, nutrient management, and other soil-related projects. The department said there are currently 29 licensed soil classifiers in Arkansas and that this appears to be sufficient for current demand. Members asked about the profession’s role, educational requirements, and the difference between soil classifiers and other septic-related professionals. Officials also discussed the program’s finances, noting a reserve balance above the three-year target and saying some funds have covered administrative and cybersecurity costs, with possible future uses including training, curriculum updates, and expanded administrative support. Both reports were accepted without objection, and the meeting adjourned with the next meeting announced for February 19 at 1:30 p.m.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
ALC-OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE Jan 15th, 2026
ALC-OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE
Transcript Highlights:
- We've got the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and the State Board of Registration for Professional Soil
- Matt Gilmore, Department of Health. Ashley Davis, Director, Arkansas State Board of Nursing.
- The protection of the public occurs through the licensure of qualified nurses, setting standards for
- that there's lots of people.
- of that fund balance for?
Summary:
The Occupational Licensing Review Subcommittee met to review two occupational licensing reports: the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and the State Board of Registration for Professional Soil Classifiers. For nursing, board officials described the board’s history, scope, and licensure categories, noting it regulates about 72,000 nurses and oversees RNs, LPNs, advanced practice nurses, medication assistants, and a new dialysis patient care technician registry. Members asked about workforce shortages, complaint types, and the board’s finances; the board said Arkansas has enough licensed nurses overall but has vacancy issues in some areas, complaints commonly involve criminal backgrounds, fraud, misrepresentation, drug abuse, and misappropriation, and the average case length is 191 days though some cases remain open much longer while awaiting criminal adjudication. Officials also said they are working on efficiency improvements and have added help positions with Department of Health support. The report was accepted without objection.
The committee then reviewed the soil classifier program, now housed under the Natural Resources Commission after the former board was abolished in 2023. Agriculture Department officials explained that soil classifiers are a small, specialized profession requiring a four-year degree with coursework in biological, earth, and soil sciences, and that the state currently has 29 registered soil classifiers. Members asked whether that number is sufficient, what the work involves, and how the program’s finances are used. Officials said the profession is mainly used for septic system design, wetland determinations, nutrient management, and other soil-related work, and that current staffing appears adequate. They also noted the program has about $20,000 in reserves, above the statutory three-year balance, and discussed possible uses such as training, curriculum upgrades, and expanded administrative funding. The report was also accepted without objection, and the meeting adjourned with the next meeting scheduled for February 19 at 1:30 p.m.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development - 01/27/2026
Housing, Construction, and Community Development
Transcript Highlights:
- We've done a lot of great work in this committee to try to address the ongoing challenges of affordability
- Administrative Code of the City of New York in relation to grant registration statements filed by a
- Administrative Code of the City of New York in relation to grant registration statements filed by a
- of that work.
- Along the lines of trying to streamline our process of providing housing and subsidies.
Summary:
The Senate Standing Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development met to open the 2006 session and discussed the governor’s executive budget, housing affordability, housing supply, and barriers to construction. Chair Brian Kavanaugh emphasized efforts to lower barriers to building housing and expand rental assistance and SCRIE/DRIE-related eligibility, while Ranking Member Jack Martins called for rolling back regulations that impede housing production. Senator Helming stressed that, especially in upstate New York, lack of electrical capacity is a major obstacle to new housing and urged attention to utility infrastructure; the chair responded that the budget includes a $3.75 billion proposal for water and sewer capacity and noted that electrical transmission and generation issues fall outside the committee’s direct jurisdiction. The committee also noted a joint Senate-Assembly budget hearing on housing scheduled for February 25.
The committee then took up a 10-bill agenda, largely consisting of measures previously reported by the committee and many of which had passed the Senate in prior sessions. Bills addressed tenant registration statements for LLCs (S.119), leasing to business and other entities (S.240), notice requirements for SCRIE/DRIE rent increase exemptions (S.561), housing production reporting to the Department of State (S.919A), creation of a New York Main Street Development Center (S.1851), retroactive benefit calculations for SCRIE/DRIE (S.2534), a common application and web portal for housing funding and incentives (S.2707), tenant access to complete rent histories (S.3569), continuation of SCRIE benefits after temporary income increases (S.4252), and eligibility requirements for disability rent increase exemptions (S.6510). Several members raised questions or comments on specific bills, including the absence of an Assembly sponsor on S.2707 and the need for technical alignment with Assembly versions.
All ten bills were reported out of committee, with some advanced to the floor and others to the Finance Committee. Senator Walchick voted in the negative on several measures, while Senators Helming and Martins occasionally voted “without recommendation” on selected bills. No bill was defeated, and the meeting adjourned with notice that another housing committee meeting was expected the following week.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- All in favor of approval of the minutes say aye. Any opposed? The minutes are approved.
- Next item is the consideration of authorization of expense reimbursement for official commission duties
- I'm not aware of the contract outside of us.
- Just wanted to give you a look at the scope of what would be involved with a number of funds.
- statement?
Committee:
All CODE REVISION COMMISSION
Summary:
The commission first approved the prior meeting minutes and then adopted the annual authorization for expense reimbursement for commissioners performing official duties under Arkansas Code 25-16-902. Members noted that legislative commissioners would not receive reimbursement for the meeting day if they were already in session and receiving legislative per diem.
The commission then heard a LexisNexis proposal for pricing increases and replacement volumes for Arkansas Code publications. LexisNexis said the proposed increase was about 7 percent, citing higher costs and the producer price index, and recommended replacing three volumes in 2026 and four in 2027 based on supplement size and the age of the volumes. Members asked about public pricing, the basis for selecting replacement volumes, and whether a statewide contract for judicial legal research services might be possible; LexisNexis said it would connect the senator with its sales team. The commission approved the pricing and replacement volume proposal.
Staff also provided an update on the codification project for state treasury funds. The project will move duplicative fund-creation language into Title 19 only, repeal duplicate provisions elsewhere in the code, and be presented later as a technical corrections bill. Members discussed whether any funds appeared obsolete and whether future legislation could eliminate unused funds, and staff said DFA maintains a list of obsolete funds that could be included in future cleanup work. The chair said the commission would likely meet again in the fall to consider technical corrections, and the meeting adjourned.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Housing & Land Use Committee Meeting Jun 24th, 2026
Housing & Land Use
Transcript Highlights:
- of loss of federal funds or things of that nature.
- of false claims.
- level of analysis. ...clarity on this process and kind of the level of analysis that takes place when
- And having gone through all of those educational seminars, it's still kind of a bit of a disaster.
- The stakeholders, I'm one of them, and most of you know me, all of you know me.
Committee:
Senate Housing & Land Use
Summary:
The Senate Land Use Committee met in hybrid format but did not have a quorum, so it did not approve minutes or take formal votes. The committee first heard House Bill 457, which would raise the appraisal threshold for certain DELDOT real property dispositions from $10,000 to $25,000 to match federal highway standards and reduce the time and cost of selling small surplus properties. There was little discussion and no public comment on that bill, and the chair indicated it would be circulated.
The committee then took up House Bill 451, which would codify a disparate impact framework under Delaware’s Fair Housing Act. The bill was described as clarifying that housing policies or practices can violate the law even without discriminatory intent if they have an unjustified discriminatory effect on a protected class, using a burden-shifting test similar to federal law. The sponsor and DHSA said the measure was intended to preserve fair housing protections amid uncertainty at the federal level, and an additional amendment was discussed that would delay implementation for 180 days and require DHSR, with DSA and stakeholders, to conduct outreach, education, and training.
Public testimony was divided. Supporters, including Housing Alliance Delaware, YWCA Delaware, and the Delaware Human and Civil Rights Commission, said the bill would protect against discriminatory outcomes, align state law with longstanding fair housing principles, and preserve recourse if federal enforcement changes. Opponents and housing-provider groups, including the Delaware Association of Realtors, Greater Wilmington Housing Providers, and the Delaware Apartment Association, argued the bill could create liability for neutral policies, rely on statistical outcomes landlords cannot easily measure, and increase litigation and costs; several asked for more time, a right-to-cure process, or further amendments. The committee adjourned without taking a formal vote.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session-Day 12, February 23, 2026-AM
Wyoming Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- of the board of Cooper, and um some of the board of trustees.<00:14:16.880><c> Thank</c><00:14:17.040
- because</c> quality of of those people because quality of of those people because really<00:43:39.760
- </c> uh division of of any profits from uh division of of any profits from research<00:46:37.680><c>
- of the results of the audit.
- intent of of the bringer of the the intent of of the bringer of the amendment,<01:33:38.880><c> but<
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- property, negotiating a sale of a piece of property?
- property, negotiating a sale of piece of property?
- system, the fact that some people are benefiting financially because of this hurts me as a taxpayer.
- of days.
- doing inside of immigration, inside of homeland security issues, inside of departments of transportation
Committee:
Senate Appropriations
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- inadmissibility of statements provided in 594-A:4 may be overcome, and statements that were not electronically
- of inadmissibility of statements<01:59:54.719><c> provided</c><01:59:55.040><c> in</c><01:59:55.199>
- We have a quote: if you look at the end of this proposed bill, in the fiscal statement, for $1,000 per
- Any recording that, any excuse me, any statement that comes after that under the terms of the bill, they
- Um, uh, attorney Moo, you made a statement that of the DNA exonerated defendants, one and three had confessed
Committee:
Senate Judiciary
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- down of the number of policy winnowing down of the number of policy advisory<00:05:00.880><c> committees
- </c><00:13:56.000><c> of</c> the inclusion of funding for cities of the inclusion of funding for cities
- </c> is uh kind of new but kind of not new. is uh kind of new but kind of not new.
- of some of the uh It's reflective of of some of the uh bills<00:51:14.000><c> that</c><00:51:14.160>
- </c><00:53:42.800><c> of</c> improve uh the availability of of improve uh the availability of of ondemand
Committee:
Senate Transportation
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Health and Mental Health Jan 15th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Health and Mental Health
Transcript Highlights:
- So we kind of actually lost money because since then, the interest rates have come down.
- And then, of course, any combination of investments described in the subdivision of this subsection,
- of their borders.
- because of that.
- of their borders, it limits some of that collaboration.
Committee:
House Health and Mental Health
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/29/2026 - House Rural Economic Development
House Rural Economic Development Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- ... ...Cula County, Navajo County, parts of Pinell, and parts of Coconino County.
- We've got a sliver of Maricopa County and a bigger sliver of Pima County.
- So all of the refunds have been submitted. All of the refunds have been submitted.
- However, in the interest of time, we're going to go ahead and we can email that out to all the members
- So I would be interested. So I would be interested. I serve a rural district.
Summary:
The Committee on Rural Economic Development convened, adopted its committee rules, and briefly introduced members and staff. The chair noted a hard stop time and moved quickly through the agenda. The committee also heard a general discussion that future meetings would likely include a mix of rural housing, broadband, transportation, and economic development measures.
The committee passed HB 2258, which adds La Paz County to Area 4 for representation on the Tourism Advisory Council, on a 7-0 vote. It then considered several Apache Junction and Pinal County-related appropriation bills. HB 2065 would appropriate $9.5 million for housing infrastructure, rehabilitation, and blight abatement in Apache Junction; HB 2066 would appropriate $8 million for broadband and fiber expansion there; and HB 2071 would appropriate $15.5 million for a rural business and workforce hub, infrastructure revitalization, and a rural health/community services facility. Members and the sponsor emphasized rural housing shortages, broadband gaps, and the need to bring Apache Junction and other rural areas up to parity with larger cities.
The committee also passed HB 2106 on a 7-0 vote. That bill would direct undistributed or non-refunded revenues from a county transportation excise tax, collected before April 10, 2026, to ADOT for county transportation projects, with the sponsor explaining it as a way to use remaining Pinal County tax proceeds for roads after litigation and refunds. Several members discussed the need for broader rural investment, including possible amendments to include the Navajo Nation and other rural communities, and one bill was held over for the next agenda due to time.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources Feb 12th, 2026 at 09:04 am
House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- strong record of timely completion of infrastructure projects by serving as the one-stop shop for planning
- And we're here in support of SB 193. Association, and we're here in support of SB 193.
- I'm president of the New Mexico Acequia Association and also president of the Mora Acequias.
- these water kinds of things we're doing are financing and all of these water kinds of things we're doing
- So is any of this bond money?
Bills:
SB193
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- guess, of autism?
- , and in terms of quality of life.
- , and in terms of quality of life.
- I have Dean of Justice from the Arc of Florida, waving in support.
- A lot of you moves we adjourn. Any objection? Nope. Let's get out of here.
Committee:
Senate Education Pre-K - 12
Summary:
The Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee heard and passed two autism-related bills. SB 112, by Senator Harrell, would expand autism screening and referral grants, extend Early Steps services from age three to age four, designate the University of Florida autism center as a statewide hub, create grants for autism-focused charter schools and summer programs, and establish an autism microcredential for educators and paraprofessionals. Three technical or clarifying amendments were adopted, and the bill received support from Autism Speaks, The Arc of Florida, Foundation for Florida’s Future, and Miami-Dade County Commissioner Raquel Regalado, who emphasized early intervention and the need for training and expanded services. The bill was reported favorably by committee vote.
The committee then considered SB 102, by Senator Gaetz, which would direct the Department of Education to create a workforce credential for students with autism spectrum disorder, including badges for job skills and workplace safety, and require reporting on outcomes such as employment after graduation. An amendment was adopted to allow students on a modified curriculum before formal diagnosis to participate and to require coordination with the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities and OSHA. Testimony from Amy Weatherby of the FSU Autism Institute and CARD strongly supported the bill, stressing the importance of employment outcomes and early preparation, while other organizations also supported it. SB 102 was reported favorably, and the committee adjourned after Senator Harrell was recorded as voting in the affirmative on SB 112.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Indian, Rural and Cultural Affairs Jan 29th, 2026 at 10:04 am
Senate Indian, Rural & Cultural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm glad to see all of you again. Thank you, Senator. I'm glad to see all of you again.
- That, of course, is Shel Nymark.
- If I may defer to the experts to give a brief statement in terms of what that money would be used for
- the state library system because of the work of the endowment.
- lack of funding.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
January 13, 2026 - 03:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- And without going through the entirety of the bill, conducts a comprehensive review of the prevalence
- There are lots of other things.
- I'm concerned about the intent of this and really I am unsure of what is this rooted in?
- a check from the campaign account, and there is an oath and a written statement and financial disclosures
- of Military Affairs, U.S.