Video & Transcript Research : 'portable generator'
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Human Services Committee Jun 30th, 2026
Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- I just want to note to the witnesses, you do have two minutes each, unlike generally we provide to the
- I just want to note to the witnesses, you do have two minutes each, unlike generally we provide to the
- But I want to start by jumping into the work CDSS did to implement the portability, expedited portability
- issued All-County Letter 24-77, which provided guidance on the expedited portability process.
- FAA is needing to use the portability process. We didn't have any placements disrupted.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 4/1/25
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- So the value of this will be secondary for our resorts and just for general commerce.
- Currently, the state is really a world of two worlds, kind of north generally of I-94.
- Domestic use is defined in rule, and so aligning where the portable language isn't, and so portable even
- Domestic use is defined in rule, and so aligning where the portable language isn't, and so portable even
- Really generous to consider doing something like this. Members, questions?
Keywords:
water appropriation, aquifer management, potable water, water conservation, environmental policy, fishing regulation, angling, sustainability, biodiversity, game fish, Carley State Park, Minnesota state parks, state lands, park boundary expansion, Wabasha County, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, public lands, land acquisition, park addition
VA
Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Communications, Technology and Innovation Mar 9th, 2026
Communications, Technology and Innovation
Transcript Highlights:
- One is it provides for portability of data for social media companies and AI, meaning you as a user are
- Now, portability and interoperability are already in the process of having to be...
- Portability and interoperability already is in the process of having to be done.
- Data portability doesn't need to be this prescriptive.
- Since the introduction of this bill, I think we have all seen the number of AI-generated videos that
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Banking and Insurance Jan 28th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- authorized to appoint review panel members to assist DFS in the grant review process of applicants for general
- Senate Bill 772, unlimited licenses for portable electronics and eyewear insurance by Senator Burgess
- This bill allows portable electronics limited agent licensees to sell eyewear insurance and provides
- This simply clarifies that a licensee is not required to sell or offer both portable electronics and
- mean, you may be able to pick up a Tesla, but the definition does limit it to easily carried and portable
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum present and took up a full agenda of bills, beginning with SB 1286 by Sen. Wright. That bill expanded the state recruitment bonus program to include newly employed firefighters, created a DFS grant review panel, and established a PTSD institute within DFS for first-responder behavioral health. Fire chiefs, the Florida League of Cities, and others supported the measure, and the committee reported it favorably.
The committee then considered SB 198 on virtual currency kiosks by Sen. Rousan. A substitute amendment was adopted that clarified daily transaction limits, registration requirements, expiration rules, and OFR authority to deny registrations. Testimony focused on protecting seniors from crypto-ATM scams while giving the industry regulatory certainty. The committee also favorably reported CS/SB 198. Members next approved CS/SB 772, which allows portable electronics limited licensees to sell eyewear insurance, and CS/SB 1504, which updates insurance customer representative licensing pathways by allowing a high school insurance and personal finance course to count toward pre-licensure education.
The committee also favorably reported Sen. Gruters’ CS/SB 1038 and CS/SB 1040, which together create the Florida Strategic Cryptocurrency Reserve and its trust fund framework, and CS/SB 1440, which expands public records exemptions and cybersecurity-related protections for financial institutions, loan originators, money service businesses, and credit unions. Sen. Burton’s SB 1668 on the NICA program drew extensive testimony from a NICA board member and family advocate, who urged stronger funding to preserve lifelong care for catastrophically injured children; the bill was reported favorably despite concerns from the Florida Justice Association about benefit restrictions and retroactivity. Finally, the committee approved CS/SB 570, creating a DFS task force on payment scams, after an amendment reduced FDLE’s required representation. At the end of the meeting, Sen. Burton requested to be recorded in the affirmative on SB 1286, and Sen. Passidomo requested affirmative votes on tabs 3, 5, and 9; the committee then adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 2, 2026 - 03:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- McFarland: ask for a general counsel ruling on this matter. Chair Duggan: Further questions?
- landing aircraft create practical paths to revitalize many of those airports, including rural and general
- Infrastructure Act positions Florida to lead in advanced aviation, logistics response, and next generation
- This is a tiny repealer bill on the issue of portability.
- It aligns them up and makes sure portability is available to all those who will need it.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
January 27, 2026 - 03:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- With that said, we hope to continue to work on the goal of preventing youth from smoking in general.
- If you look at all those different things you can generate $5.2 billion and nobody would notice.
- Molly Young: 66% of Tequesta's general fund comes from ad valorem taxes.
- Maybe restrict the reassessment of houses when portability - there is a bill about portability.
- So where are they going to generate those revenues? What happens to our business community?
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- authorized to appoint review panel members to assist DFS in the grant review process of applicants for general
- Senate Bill 772, unlimited licenses for portable electronics and eyewear insurance by Senator Burgess
- This bill allows portable electronics limited agent licensees to sell eyewear insurance and provides
- This simply clarifies that a licensee is not required to sell or offer both portable electronics and
- It also updates one of those mechanisms, which is a transfer... ...for generating additional revenue.
Keywords:
virtual currency, kiosks, money services business, regulation, financial services, consumer protection, cryptocurrency, registration, payment scams, task force, fraud prevention, property insurance, roofing requirements, inspector, insurance policies, homeowners insurance, roof age, residential structures, insurance renewal, investment
Summary:
The Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum present and took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 1286 by Senator Wright. That bill expands the law enforcement recruitment bonus program to include firefighters, creates a DFS grant review panel for fire-related grants, and establishes an institute for PTSD and first-responder behavioral health. Testimony from fire chiefs and others supported the measure, and the committee reported it favorably.
The committee then considered several insurance and financial regulation bills. CS/SB 198 by Senator Rousan, as amended, regulates virtual currency kiosks with transaction limits, notice and receipt requirements, and OFR enforcement authority; witnesses described it as a needed anti-fraud measure, especially for seniors, and it was reported favorably. CS/SB 772 by Senator Burgess, as amended, allows limited licenses for portable electronics and eyewear insurance, and CS/SB 1504 by Senator Claudio, as amended, creates a pathway for high school students to qualify for insurance customer representative licensure; both were reported favorably.
The committee also approved two cryptocurrency reserve bills by Senator Gruters: CS/SB 1038 creates the Florida Strategic Cryptocurrency Reserve framework, and CS/SB 1040 creates the related trust fund; both received technical amendments and favorable reports. CS/SB 1440 by Senator Martin, as amended, creates public records exemptions and cybersecurity reporting provisions for financial institutions and related entities, and it was reported favorably. Finally, SB 1668 by Senator Burton, which updates the NICA program’s funding and benefit structure, and CS/SB 570 by Senator Polsky, which creates a task force on payment scams, were both heard with supportive testimony and reported favorably. Senators later recorded additional affirmative votes on selected bills before the committee adjourned.
MS
Transcript Highlights:
- The other half would go in the general fund.
- The plan is portable.
- ><00:32:32.640>
to <00:32:32.799>the portable. - The IRA belongs to the portable.
- The deposited in the state general fund.
Summary:
The committee first considered Senate Bill 2191, which would expand the allowable uses of municipal use tax funds. The bill would add sidewalks to the list of eligible projects and remove remaining restrictive language that limited use tax spending to roads and bridges. A senator asked for confirmation that the funds would be limited to publicly owned property of the local government, and the sponsor confirmed that was the intent. The committee approved the bill and reported it out.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 2257, the Mississippi Land Bank Act, which would create a local land bank tool for cities and counties to acquire, manage, and return vacant, abandoned, and tax-forfeited properties to productive use. The sponsor said the bill is intended to help address blight, especially properties held at the Secretary of State’s office, and emphasized that land banks would be locally created, subject to public accountability requirements, and barred from using eminent domain. The committee adopted the bill and reported it out.
Members also discussed Senate Bill 2828, a committee substitute that would impose a fee on international wire transfers, with a credit available to Mississippi income taxpayers. The sponsor said half of the revenue would go to DPS for 287(g) programs and half to the general fund. An amendment was adopted to exempt certain transactions funded through U.S.-issued debit or credit cards or withdrawn from federally insured accounts. The committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill out. Later bills included SB 2863, creating a Jackson County industrial zone exempt from municipal annexation, and SB 2862, a related annexation measure brought forward with a reverse repealer; both were advanced after brief discussion. The committee also approved SB 2909, which lowers the unreduced retirement threshold in Tier 5 from 35 years to 30 years, and SB 2885, the Mississippi Work and Save program, a voluntary state-treasurer-run retirement savings option for small employers and employees. Throughout, the committee generally asked limited clarifying questions and then voted to adopt committee substitutes and report the bills out.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
Transcript Highlights:
- Licensed portability should never come at the expense of public protection.
- Licensed portability should never come at the expense of public protection. supporting this House and
- Only one of these bills promotes licensure portability and workforce mobility.
- They're within WIC in Lawrence, Lawrence General Hospital, and Greater Lawrence.
- My general understanding is it's a form of neurotoxin that is large reduced levels.
Summary:
The committee opened a hearing of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure focused on health care and human services, reviewed testimony logistics, and then heard a long series of witnesses on several bills. Much of the testimony centered on interstate licensure compacts for dentistry, social work, and occupational therapy, with supporters arguing these compacts would improve workforce mobility, continuity of care, and access while preserving state oversight and public protection. Dental witnesses were split on H.455/S.257, with supporters backing the AADB dental compact for its hands-on exam, background checks, and disciplinary safeguards, while opponents argued a competing compact would better promote portability and avoid conflicts tied to proprietary testing and outside commissions. Social work witnesses strongly supported H.380/S.252, emphasizing continuity of care for clients who move across state lines, reduced costs and delays for practitioners, and the compact’s public-protection features; occupational therapy witnesses similarly supported H.427/S.256, citing access, telehealth, military families, and maintained standards.
The committee also heard testimony on S.242, which would expand licensure for lactation care providers. Supporters, including lactation counselors and health center staff, said adding certified lactation counselors and related credentials would expand access, improve breastfeeding support, and allow reimbursement for services now often provided without billing. They described the training required and said the bill would help families, especially in underserved communities. Representative James O’Day also testified in support of the social work compact, and a Council of State Governments witness provided background on compact mechanics and state participation.
Another major topic was H.419/S.214 on medical debt. Physicians and researchers testified that cancer patients experience long-lasting medical debt and collections burdens, and they supported limits on the sale and collection of medical debt, bans on reporting it to credit bureaus, and related consumer protections. The hearing also included H.465 on a pathway to special licensure for certain long-term limited-registration dentists serving MassHealth patients, which Representative Senna supported as a way to allow immigrant dentists to practice independently. Finally, the committee heard sharply divided testimony on H.444/S.284, which would allow trained dental hygienists to administer Botox and dermal fillers: supporters framed it as a safe, preventive, and access-expanding tool for TMJ, bruxism, and pain management, while dermatologists opposed it as outside hygienists’ training and a patient-safety risk. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations (6-18-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- to work with some key sponsor legislators, Representative Banta [questionable], in the last recent General
- of the just the general theory of the application<00:16:04.560>
of <00:16:04.720>building< - What's your general profit margin and what are you losing on starter homes?
- So, what this bill will do is it's a portability bill.
- So, if someone is portability bill.
Summary:
The committee first heard a presentation from Northern Kentucky building industry representatives Brian Miller and Matt Mains on housing affordability and construction workforce issues. They argued that regulatory and code requirements add significant cost to new homes, citing an estimate of nearly $94,000 per home nationally and $15,000 to $20,000 per home in Boone County over the past decade. They recommended reforms to building code adoption, architectural design mandates, permit fees and delays, and setback/land dedication rules, saying these changes could reduce costs by $25,000 to $35,000 per home without affecting public safety. They also discussed workforce training efforts through the Enzwe Building Institute, dual-credit programs, apprenticeship incentives, and workforce grants, saying these efforts have helped hold wage growth below regional trends and improve housing affordability.
Committee members asked about the breakdown of regulatory costs, the effect of energy codes, and ways to speed up permitting. The presenters said the costs were roughly split among federal, state, and local requirements, with local regulations adding about $25,000 to $35,000 and some energy-code changes adding about $19,000 per home. They said faster plan review, coordination with the Kentucky Division of Water, and addressing municipal staffing shortages could cut 30 to 45 days from approvals. Members also discussed the difficulty of building starter homes under about $350,000 and the need for more missing-middle housing, with the presenters saying such homes are hard to produce without sacrificing quality.
The committee then took up Representative Kim Moer and Dr. Dale Bertram’s discussion of marriage and family therapist licensing and healthcare workforce data reporting. They explained that the bill would allow Kentucky to recognize out-of-state marriage and family therapists who meet licensure requirements, have no disciplinary history, and have passed the national exam, in order to reduce barriers and address provider shortages, especially in rural areas. They also described a separate workforce data reporting section that would require licensure boards to collect consistent information on where licensees practice and whether they are actively seeing patients, including through telehealth, so the state can better understand its healthcare workforce. Members supported the portability idea, noted that some qualified applicants are currently working in Indiana instead of Kentucky, and asked whether the data collection could be handled administratively; the sponsors said the bill would create consistency across boards. The committee also briefly discussed occupational board updates and the need for stronger communication between legislators and licensing boards, including architecture licensure issues and efforts to recruit more professionals.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services (01/20/2026)
Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, is it is it generally come in.
- This means that the portable benefits.
- Generally<04:32:55.520>
speaking, Generally speaking, Generally speaking, worker<04:32:57.359> - >> You mean this bill in general? >> You mean this bill in general?
- <05:17:44.480>
Health the Massachusetts Driver Portable Health the Massachusetts Driver Portable
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session - Session 2 - 40th Legislative Day Jun 24th, 2026
Delaware Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Office of the Governor, June 18, 2026, to the Senate of the 153rd General Assembly of the State of Delaware
- solar... ...issue a report assessing the safety and utility of portable solar generation devices.
- solar generation devices, also known... ...on the safety and utility of portable solar generation devices
- The study will include an evaluation of the impact of portable solar generation... ...amount of energy
- Another issue arose regarding how excess generation from a balcony solar system flowing into the grid
Summary:
The Senate received a large number of House communications and committee reports, including several nominations and many bills and resolutions returned from House committees or passed by the House. Committee reports covered a wide range of topics, including education, health, judiciary, finance, housing, transportation, emergency management, and business/technology. The Senate also assigned several measures to committees for further consideration and noted upcoming committee meetings.
The chamber confirmed three nominations by roll call: Michael T. Scuse to the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission, J. Eric Firewold to the University of Delaware Board of Trustees, and Joan F. Coker to the University of Delaware Board of Trustees. The Senate also passed Consent Calendar 66, which included Senate Concurrent Resolution 223 on DIA broadcast access for playoff and championship games and House Concurrent Resolution 149 designating June 12, 2026, as Loving Day in Delaware. Members discussed Loving Day and the importance of recognizing interracial marriage rights, with Senator Huxstable, Senator Buckson, and Senator Townsend offering remarks.
On the floor, the Senate passed House Bill 141, requiring a firearm responsibilities notice for gun purchasers, after debate over gun safety and industry burden; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 200, as amended, expanding insurance coverage for HIV prevention medications PrEP and PEP; House Bill 426, modernizing municipal street-aid reporting; and Senate Resolution 21, directing a study of portable solar generation devices and related safety and utility issues. The Senate also passed Consent Agenda O, a large package of bills covering topics such as money transmission and stablecoins, nursing advancement, pilot licenses, commerce and trade, subaqueous lands, driver’s license loss due to medical issues, residential speed limits, electronic bidding, family court jurisdiction, agency regulations, technical corrections to multiple local charters, and other measures. The Senate then recessed until June 25, 2026.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- All right, so as with general testimony in this committee, we will have two minutes on the board.
- I've dedicated my time as a county supervisor to being a voice for my constituents, generations of families
- reality is, I have experienced it in 14 years serving on a Natural Resources Committee, is that generally
- This voluntary program allows participants to generate ERCs by creating permanent emission reductions
- If you look at our counties, you'll see projects to generate power are constantly moving forward.
Bills:
HB2014, HB2031, HB2078, HB2102, HB2103, HB2117, HB2261, HB2262, HB2264, HB2278, HB2428, HB2494, HB2756, HB2758, HB2762, HB2782, HB2932, HB2933, HB2986
Keywords:
air emissions, fuel blends, environmental quality, feasibility study, Arizona Department of Agriculture, water rights, groundwater, Willcox, active management area, certificate of grandfathered rights, Arizona legislature, aggregate mining, reclamation plans, environmental protection, public safety, land use, domestic water, improvement district, water delivery, water hauling
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Health Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Public Health
Transcript Highlights:
- It enhances licensure portability.
- conflict of interest that prioritizes financial incentives over fair and broad-based licensure portability
- He has licensure portability through SIPACT, which is approved in 43 states.
- College students today are much more likely to struggle with mental health issues compared to the general
- And we have the technology today that allows us to use portable devices and apps and software so that
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing to take testimony on a wide range of bills involving professional licensure, clinical practice, and public health-related workforce issues. The chair explained that no votes would be taken at the hearing and that the purpose was to gather public input. Early testimony focused on Marnie’s Law, with supporters describing the bill as a no-cost, preventive measure to require nursing education on inflammatory breast cancer after a family tragedy and arguing it could reduce misdiagnosis and save lives.
A major portion of the hearing centered on bills affecting clinical decision-making and licensure compacts. Supporters of the physician ownership/clinical autonomy bills argued they would protect independent practices from corporate interference after the Steward collapse, while supporters of EMS, dental, psychology, physical therapy, and physician assistant compacts said the measures would improve workforce mobility, reduce delays, and expand access to care, especially for rural patients, military families, and telehealth users. Several witnesses emphasized that the compacts would not reduce standards and would strengthen public protection through shared disciplinary databases and streamlined credentialing.
There was also testimony on bills to ensure safe medication administration and to protect the independence of complementary and alternative health care practitioners. Nursing representatives urged that only licensed professionals administer medications in hospitals, hospices, and home care settings, warning that delegation to unlicensed staff could endanger patients and nurses’ licenses. A complementary and alternative care witness supported consumer access with mandatory disclosures and limits on reserved medical acts. On the dental compact, witnesses were split: some supported portability and workforce flexibility, while others warned the compact lacked a hands-on skills exam and could weaken Massachusetts’ regulatory authority and patient safety. The hearing concluded with continued testimony on the psychology compact, physical therapy compact, and physician assistant bills, with most speakers favoring expanded interstate practice and reduced administrative barriers.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Finance Committee in Session Mar 12th, 2026 at 01:59 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- It requires that the calculations for additional funding generated from the additional weightings be
- It limits the expenditure of additional funding generated by the additional weighting to being spent
- Requires that the calculations for additional funding generated from the additional weightings be made
- Chairman, this bill would create the Voluntary Portable Benefits Plan Act.
- The amendment would make the bill relate generally to workforce readiness.
Summary:
The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then took up several House bills with strike-and-insert amendments. House Bill 5510 was amended to incorporate provisions from Senate Bills 1065 and 928, modernizing Alcohol Beverage Control licensing and adding rules for low-proof spirit alcohol products, including a $1.25 per gallon tax; the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill to the full Senate with a do-pass recommendation.
The committee then considered House Bill 5453 on school funding. After discussion of a proposed block-grant system and supplemental aid for special education, the committee adopted an amendment replacing much of the bill with weighted funding for level two and level three special education students, exempting those funds from block grant rules and limiting their use to direct instruction. The committee also adopted a clarification to extend the special education funding to charter school students and reported the amended bill to the Senate. House Bill 5412, dealing with multi-year technology licensing contracts for local fiscal bodies and science-of-reading training for K-5 teachers, was amended to clarify contract language, delay implementation dates, change “endorsement” to “training,” and require charter school teachers to participate; it was then reported.
The committee next amended and reported House Bill 4006, which creates aerospace development and workforce grant programs, changing the funding mechanism to use Department of Commerce reporting and personal income tax proceeds rather than direct employee withholdings. It also took up House Bill 4009, combining voluntary portable benefits for independent contractors with microcredentialing and an expanded apprenticeship tax credit, adopted the Finance Committee amendment, and reported it. Finally, House Bill 4004 creating the Recharge West Virginia training reimbursement program was amended to raise the annual employer reimbursement cap from $50,000 to $100,000 while keeping the $10,000 per-employee limit, and the committee reported the bill. The meeting ended with adjournment.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 050 Mar 5th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- objection to the bill in in general. My objection to the bill in in general.
- restrictions on the use of portable restrictions on the use of portable devices. devices. devices
- scale solar<01:35:27.920>
generator <01:35:28.800>generation <01:35:29.360>device not going into the general fund. not going into the general fund.- c><01:35:29.679>
that solar generator generation device that solar generator generation device - c><01:35:29.679>
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Senate in Session Mar 14th, 2026 at 05:55 pm
West Virginia Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It expands the definition of portable benefit plan to include unemployment benefits.
- benefit account will be consistent with the portable benefit...
- Will be consistent with the portable benefit account requirements under the article.
- He generally loves everyone in this body, and I... ...in this body.
- He generally loves everyone in this body. And I will tell you, Amy is his favorite.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education Jan 14th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Similarly, when you're looking at the general revenue budget statewide, it's about Similarly, when you're
- looking at the general revenue budget statewide, it's about $53 billion, of which education, a much
- You have portables. So some schools, based on the age of the portables, count the portables.
- Some portables you can't even use, but they're not of a certain age.
- Well, if we remove those portables that we can't use, it gives us a different number.
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education received a presentation from the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget and the Department of Education on the Governor’s fiscal year 2026-27 education budget. Shelby Salmons outlined the overall budget framework, and Commissioner Stasi Kamoutsis highlighted major education investments, including $486 million for VPK, $30.6 billion for K-12 education, a $761.1 million increase in FEFP funding, the highest per-student funding level to date, and $201 million more for teacher pay flexibility. The presentation also emphasized school safety, mental health, civics education, and the Guardian Program, along with continued funding for TEACH, HIPPY, Help Me Grow, and civics debate and literacy initiatives.
Members asked about how the mental health allocation would be used, counselor staffing ratios, school closures and whether the department intervenes, oversight of school choice and voucher-funded schools, and the Guardian Program’s pay structure and effectiveness. Senators also raised concerns about the FISH school capacity report, data collection, teacher pay, professional development, AI and tutoring technology, and whether the budget adequately supports mental health services and school safety. The Commissioner said many funding decisions are left to districts, that the department stands ready to assist, and that the Guardian Program has been successful and expanded over time.
During public testimony, Pinellas County School Board member Laura Hine said her district spends far more on safety and mental health than it receives in state categorical funding, and urged the committee to consider full-day VPK funding, arguing it has improved third-grade reading outcomes in Pinellas. Senators followed up on district flexibility and local spending choices. The committee took no substantive vote on the budget presentation and adjourned after thanking the department for its recommendations and partnership.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education Jan 14th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education
Transcript Highlights:
- Similarly, when you're looking at the general revenue budget statewide, it's about...
- Similarly, when you're looking at the general revenue budget statewide, it's about $53 billion, of which
- You have portables. So some schools, based on the age of the portables, count the portables.
- Some portables you can't even use, but they're not of a certain age.
- Well, if we remove those portables that we can't use, it gives us a different number.
Summary:
The Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met to hear the governor’s fiscal year 2026-27 budget recommendations for education from the Office of Policy and Budget and the Department of Education. Shelby Salmons and Commissioner Stasi Kamoutsis outlined the governor’s proposed $117.4 billion state budget, including about $32.5 billion for education, with major emphasis on public schools and early learning. The presentation highlighted a $30.6 billion K-12 budget, a $486 million VPK program, continued funding for VPK Summer Bridge, TEACH, HIPPY, and Help Me Grow, as well as increases for teacher pay, base student allocation, mental health, school safety, civics education, and school hardening initiatives. The commissioner also cited a 92.2% statewide graduation rate and Florida’s national rankings in education and education freedom.
Senators used the question period to raise concerns about counselor staffing, mental health services, school closures, school choice oversight, the Guardian Program, data reporting, and school capacity. Senator Jones asked about counselor ratios, school closures in historically Black communities, and whether school choice schools are properly monitored for safety and instructional quality. Senator Osgood argued that mental health funding should support more clinical services on campuses, not just academic counselors, and Senator Bradley asked whether the centralized data repository includes scholarship students. Senator Gates praised the civics and debate funding and asked for more detail on the Guardian Program’s performance; the commissioner said 53 of 67 districts participate and described it as a successful safety option with sheriffs approving training. Senators Simon and Osgood also pressed for better use of the FISH report and more accurate space data to understand school capacity and right-sizing.
During public testimony, Pinellas County School Board member Laura Hine said her district is an A-rated district with no D or F schools, but spends far more on safety and mental health than it receives in state categorical funding. She said Florida’s mental health staffing ratio is about one counselor per 2,203 students, compared with a recommended one per 1,106, and urged the committee to consider funding full-day VPK statewide, estimating it would cost about $375 million. Committee members followed up on her comments about local flexibility and whether districts can shift funds to meet needs. The meeting ended after members thanked DOE and executive branch staff for the presentation, and the committee adjourned without taking any substantive vote on legislation.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Executive Departments and Administration (02/11/2026)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- , legislative liaison with the Department of Energy, and I'm joined today by Department of Energy General
- <00:05:06.320>
Counsel Department of Energy General Counsel Department of Energy General Counsel - <00:47:29.520>
portability <00:47:30.240>legislation <00:47:31.280>with portability - portability legislation with portability portability legislation with a<00:47:31.760>
digital - <00:50:12.079>
is uh that reciprocity and portability is uh that reciprocity and portability