Transcript Highlights:

• I think this is a great idea, Chair Harrell, but I did wonder, when I looked at the bill analysis, there
• students to earn badges that designate these students have acquired specific job skills and specific behaviors
• Students have acquired specific job skills and specific behaviors that meet employers' needs, and importantly
• , it's hard for them to keep the job because they have difficulties with social interaction and behavioral
• , it's hard for them to keep the job because they have difficulties with social interaction and behavioral

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• elements of this protest movement that are very ill-informed, rhetoric that is inflammatory, and behavior
• So it, you know, I do think that we need to hold our own citizens accountable for their behavior, and
• Now, I actually was going to skip the legal analysis on the First Amendment, but I think a couple of
• But when you don’t actually discipline that kind of behavior, you end up incentivizing it because you
• I think there may be other reasons why it could matter, but particularly for the sentiment analysis,

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The meeting began with roll call, approval of the May 5 minutes, and opening remarks thanking commissioners and the public for their attendance. The commission then heard testimony from former Ambassador Alan Solomont, who argued that antisemitism is rising in multiple forms, including white nationalist antisemitism and antisemitism tied to anti-Israel rhetoric after October 7. He said campus antisemitism should be addressed with nuance, distinguishing protected political speech from conduct that targets Jewish students, and warned against weaponizing antisemitism to attack higher education, civil liberties, or federal research funding. He urged the commission to use multiple definitions and frameworks, including IHRA, Nexus, and the Jerusalem Declaration, and to focus on campus-specific solutions, civic education, and civil discourse. Commissioners asked him about Tufts’ antisemitism training, the role of the federal government, the use of the IHRA definition, and how to improve civic education; he emphasized local campus responses, broader civics instruction, and protecting democracy and due process. The second major witness was Professor David Weber of Boston University, who testified on the BDS movement and anti-BDS laws. He described BDS as a campaign targeting Israeli businesses, universities, and institutions, and argued it functions as a propagandistic and discriminatory effort that fuels antisemitism and chills dialogue on campuses and in public life. He cited examples such as SodaStream, Ben & Jerry’s, and Brown University, and said anti-BDS laws in 37 states have been effective and constitutional because they regulate government economic activity rather than suppress speech. Weber urged Massachusetts to adopt an anti-BDS statute or executive order, saying the state’s large Jewish population and economic ties to Israel make the issue especially important. Commissioners questioned him about which states have such laws, the impact on dialogue and campus culture, possible legal frameworks, and whether BDS is really aimed at the Israeli government or at individuals and institutions; he maintained that BDS targets people and entities connected to Israel and that anti-BDS measures can help draw a line against illiberal conduct.

Transcript Highlights:

• Deer can have injuries, not even disease-related, that cause neurologic behavior.
• And since brain abscesses affect the brain, obviously neurologic behavior is associated with it.
• So, you know, many of the... ...neurologic behavior is associated with it.
• to Corey Gray, who y’all heard from a couple of months ago, they went back and did very similar analysis
• to Corey Gray, who y'all heard from a couple of months ago, they went back and did very similar analysis

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with roll call, adoption of the agenda, and approval of the prior minutes. The main presentation was from Julie Grenwald of Louisiana Hunters for the Hungry, who described the nonprofit’s protein donation programs, including freezer clean-out days, deer and fish processing partnerships, and a paused feral hog donation program that had collected about 3,500 hogs and 137,000 pounds of pork before funding ran short. She said the group has donated roughly 300,000 pounds of protein over two years, works with food banks and local agencies, and is protected under Louisiana’s Good Samaritan Law. Members asked about processor locations, exotic species, signage, sponsorships, and whether the program could expand to other invasive species or mobile drop-off options; Grenwald said expansion is possible if processors and funding are available. The task force then received a Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries update from Jonathan Bordelon on chronic wasting disease testing. He reported more than 2,800 samples collected and over 2,300 results returned, with nine positives total: eight in Tensas Parish and one confirmed in Concordia Parish on Richard K. Yancey WMA, which triggered preparation of an emergency declaration and future rulemaking to adjust the control area. He said harvest and sampling remain near record levels, most samples are voluntary, and the agency continues to monitor symptomatic deer reports and public submissions. The final major presentation was from William McKinley of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, who gave a detailed overview of Mississippi’s CWD response. He said Mississippi has 529 detections across 18 counties, with prevalence rising from about one in 500 samples to about one in 80 statewide, and much higher in some counties. He described Mississippi’s surveillance system, targeted tags within three miles of positives, environmental sampling, feeder bans in CWD zones, and research showing contamination at feeders and in scrapes. He also discussed possible multiple strains, including one linked to the Wisconsin whitetail strain and another around Vicksburg/Issaquena, and said the disease appears to be expanding about 3.5 miles per year. Members asked about high-fence enclosures, live deer movement restrictions, baiting and feeding rules, hunter participation, and whether Louisiana should develop similar environmental testing capacity; no votes were taken on these issues, but members discussed possible future legislative or budget action.

Transcript Highlights:

• liaison for behavioral health at DHS. liaison for behavioral health at DHS.
• But to get to that benefit reductions portion, we just finished an analysis of that.
• So our analysis on the original bill, which the study commission would study, right?
• portion, we uh just finished an analysis portion, we uh just finished an analysis of<04:47:47.040
• And our analysis based on of that.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AARP analysis to complete the picture.
• Thank you for your time. analysis to complete the picture. A ARP analysis to complete the picture.
• <02:02:34.480> 1794<02:02:35.280> proposes, analysis like what HB1 1794 proposes, analysis
• <02:09:25.199> Health Hampshire Community Behavioral Health Hampshire Community Behavioral
• <02:54:28.319> switches be so the may in the analysis switches be so the may in the analysis

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those analyses are in the analysis packet that you have, and those are the bills likely to come up on
• It's our criminal justice systems, health, behavioral health, housing, and social services, and they
• Investing those savings into the services that actually break cycles of harm — behavioral health, reentry
• And, you know, so that's our analysis.
• Partnership Fund, and for behavioral health advocacy contracts, as well as providing $900 million for

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the 2026 Budget Act, which leaders said was the negotiated compromise with the Senate and was expected to move to the floor that evening. Opening remarks emphasized that the plan balances the budget over two years, reduces the structural deficit, and builds reserves, while also protecting core services in the face of federal cuts. Jason Sisney outlined the legislative budget framework and the likely floor bills, including AB 109, SB 110, SB 122, and SB 125. Department of Finance representative Eric Khali said the administration appreciated the two-year balanced approach and supported the modification in SB 122, while noting the package uses additional revenues and new spending to soften or reject some proposed cuts. Most of the discussion focused on major spending areas. Members and subcommittee chairs highlighted protections and additions for health care and human services, including rejecting the proposed Medi-Cal asset limit change, delaying premium increases, restoring clinic and dental funding, supporting distressed hospitals and county indigent care, and expanding county eligibility staffing to handle H.R. 1-related workload. Education members described record or expanded support for TK-12 schools, child care, special education, community colleges, teacher recruitment, and higher education, including a change to extend Cal Grant eligibility to age 30 for some community college students. Housing and homelessness funding was increased for HAP, multifamily housing, and the low-income housing tax credit, while public safety members pointed to investments in victims’ services, restorative justice, and prison closure savings. Several members also raised concerns or priorities tied to the budget deal. Some praised the package as a moral document that protects vulnerable Californians, immigrant communities, LGBTQ residents, seniors, and people with disabilities. Others noted unresolved issues, including the MCO tax’s impact on districts, the need for more support for local journalism, arts, biotech R&D incentives, transit and GGRF-related concerns, and the need for continued work on Prop. 98 and long-term fiscal resilience. The vice chair cautioned that despite the current progress, the state remains vulnerable to revenue volatility and warned that the budget should build more resilience against a possible downturn. No formal vote was taken in the portion provided, but the committee was preparing the budget package for floor action and final negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Such behavior may be grounds for removal from the hearing without the ability to continue. decision-
• <00:09:08.839> such from profanity or unil behavior such from profanity or unil behavior such
• Behavior<00:09:09.760> may<00:09:09.959> be<00:09:10.160> grounds<00:09:10.519>
• I never got that far in analysis.
• I never got that far in analysis.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• New Mexico's EPPs were rated low in geometry and measurement and data analysis and probability.
• You may also recall analysis.
• I used to teach courses, joint courses from APS and the Albuquerque Teachers Federation on behavior,
• managing difficult behaviors.
• And then it failed because one child had behavior. That dominated the class that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Risky behavior such as truancy by referring youth and families to trauma-informed and culturally relevant
• Also they are building a juvenile services network. using the CalAME justice and the other behavioral
• Maybe there's a fleeing that's occurring, that's mistaken for bad behavior.
• The offenders frequently exhibit behaviors that escalate to hands-on offenses, making it imperative for
• We have Lieutenant Brian Heidenbach, Finance Budget Analysis, Lieutenant Juan Hildago, Sacramento Valley

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Deans and behavior supports have been cut from the elementary schools.
• , but it certainly has an influence on people's behavior.
• that analysis of people's fortunes<01:24:43.040> at<01:24:43.160> scale.
• > people's<01:25:26.640> behavior.
• influence on people's behavior. influence on people's behavior.

Bills: HF4621, HF4123, HF4616, HF1183

Keywords: child tax credit, financial assistance, low-income families, state revenue, tax policy, net investment income, taxation, business income, self-employment, tax increase, wealth tax, fairness, public services, high-income earners, economic equity, Internal Revenue Code, employee classification, federal law, Minnesota statutes, 1183

Transcript Highlights:

• Is absenteeism a behavior problem... Thank you, Senator. So I think that's a great question, right?
• Is absenteeism a behavior problem or a barrier problem?
• Did you do any analysis as to those students how many actual instruction hours they were missing?
• We have a David Lawrence Center for Behavioral Health, relationships with our Sheriff’s Department.
• I would say to you today that of more concern is your social media and your online behaviors than it

Summary: The committee on Pre-K through 12 Education met to discuss chronic absenteeism, district attendance interventions, and related truancy procedures. Chair Simon reviewed Florida’s attendance laws and escalation process, including school-based interventions, child study team meetings, referrals to the Department of Juvenile Justice, truancy petitions, and possible sanctions for parents and driving privileges. The committee heard first from University of Florida professor Dr. Chris Curran, who presented state and national absenteeism data showing chronic absenteeism has risen sharply since the pandemic, with Florida at about 31.4% in 2023-24. He emphasized that absenteeism has multiple causes, including transportation, mental health, housing instability, safety concerns, and family barriers, and said effective responses include early warning systems, multi-tiered supports, mentoring, and community partnerships rather than relying only on punitive measures. Members questioned Dr. Curran about whether absenteeism is a behavior or barrier issue, whether exclusionary discipline is counted, the need for a uniform definition across districts, and whether more punitive truancy enforcement is effective. He said the issue is usually a mix of barriers and choices, that excused and unexcused absences both matter for chronic absenteeism data, and that root-cause analysis and supportive interventions are generally more productive than punishment alone, though consequences can still play a role. The committee then heard from Collier County Superintendent Leslie Ricciardelli and district staff, who described a highly structured attendance system built around attendance specialists, social workers, mental health staff, home visits, attendance contracts, multilingual outreach, and frequent parent notifications. They said Collier’s chronic absenteeism rate was about 9% in 2023-24 and credited their success to early contact, community partnerships, and a strong district culture around attendance. Volusia County Schools Executive Director Mike McAuliffe described a newer districtwide attendance initiative that uses automated letters, same-day notifications, data dashboards, MTSS tiers, incentives, and community supports such as bikes, washers and dryers, and faith-based partnerships. He reported Volusia reduced chronic absenteeism from 34% in 2023-24 to a projected 29% and said the district is now seeing about 20% in the first quarter of the current year. No formal votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next is the Division of Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services, and their Department Appropriation
• It says 896 Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health.
• We are moving these expenditures to the Division of Aging and Adult Services with Behavioral Health.
• Okay, so you're just there representing the Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health.
• Representing the Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health.

Summary: The committee heard a series of Arkansas Department of Human Services budget presentations and questions, beginning with the Secretary’s Office and then the Division of Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services. Staff described the divisions’ appropriations, funding sources, and major programs, including senior centers, Meals on Wheels, mental health grants, substance abuse treatment, community alcohol safety, the Medicaid tobacco settlement program, and crisis stabilization units. Members raised concerns about flat or limited funding for senior services, the use and tracing of federal block grants, the lack of a funding source for the veterans’ mental health grant, and the mechanics of the community alcohol safety and treatment programs. The committee also discussed patient benefits funds at state facilities, transportation for senior center clients, and whether some special-language appropriations or fund balances should be revisited. Executive recommendations were adopted for the divisions considered. The committee then reviewed the Division of Children and Family Services and the Division of County Operations. Questions focused on foster care growth, adoption subsidies, professional fees tied to staff training and onboarding, vacancies, the Children’s Trust Fund, and TANF subgrants. Members asked about the reduction or elimination of TANF funding to child advocacy centers and other subgrantees, and DHS explained that prior reserves had been spent down and that the department was now trying to live within the annual TANF block grant and rebuild reserves. County operations questions also covered summer EBT, SNAP employment and training, the farmers’ market program, and the expected impact of a federal SNAP administrative match change, which DHS estimated would increase state costs by about $24 million annually, with roughly $18 million affecting the current year because the change begins October 1. Executive recommendations were again adopted. Finally, the committee heard from the Division of Developmental Disability Services and the Division of Medical Services. DDS testimony covered vacancies, staffing shortages, human development center construction and repairs, the reopening of the Boonville work training program, and funding for infant infirmary and child/family life programs. Medical Services testimony covered the Medicaid program, the current FMAP rate, the Our Kids B CHIP program, Medicaid payments to schools, nursing home distress funding, and large appropriation lines used to provide flexibility for claims and potential facility closures. Members asked for more detail on school Medicaid payments, reserve balances, and why some appropriations were much larger than actual spending. In each division, the committee moved and adopted Executive REC after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to thank the committee for their hard work and thoughtful analysis on this bill.
• As noted in the analysis, DTSC published its preliminary findings in December.
• But I'm not using plain soap, according to the analysis. 90% of projects are detergent.
• So even the detergents, as described in the analysis, are as effective as antibacterial soaps.
• The analysis doesn't cite to the studies either, which was part of my frustration.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We haven't done any analysis on that at this point. Okay.
• Have you done an analysis of that?
• Different career tech programs and life skills training with cognitive behavioral support.
• Our actuarial analysis...
• We're seeing a rise in behavioral issues in schools, and we need to prevent those. Thank you.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• behavior instead of as a sign of a UTI. behavior instead of as a sign of a UTI.
• c><02:00:30.800> health our community behavioral uh health our community behavioral uh health
• 04:16.800> budget<02:04:17.280> and county's behavioral health budget and county's behavioral
• We are now held up as an example of best practices in behavioral health care across the country.
• We are now held up as an example of best practices in behavioral health care across the country.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that would be the same type of analysis.
• And that would be the same type of analysis.
• And that would be the same type of analysis.
• that type behavior here. that type behavior here.
• Thank you. and pig behavior, um, a a a female pig and pig behavior, um, a a a female pig of<01:04:08.720

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Behavioral health is top of the agenda, it seems, perhaps in this session.
• I'm glad we started to cover the behavioral health update.
• I know we do have behavioral health therapists.
• The committee really focuses on behavioral health.
• I will look for some more analysis. We don't need it right now.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do not have a sort of a distributional analysis, as you're referring to, that's specific to California
• We are still doing our own analysis on what the potential both fiscal implications for the state are
• the community engagement and work requirements look like um so we will be forthcoming with that analysis
• Yeah, Brian Mueller with the LAO so the CBO recently published a distributional analysis of the bill
• George Cruz on behalf of the California Behavioral Health Association.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Maybe even some analysis through LEO2 that had talked about the Encampment Resolution Fund having some
• as some of you are watching I'm not sure if that is something that we can get more of a concrete analysis
• I appreciate the comment in the staff analysis on this item about the potential need for a technical
• I think it's challenging to tell what the behavior is going to be in any given year.
• So it's difficult to predict what the behavior would be like if next year we were out, we did not have

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I also want to point out because this is clearly laid out in the staff analysis where, you know,
• I am a behavioral and mental health worker in Orange County. And we do use training...
• And we do use trainings that allow us to understand cultural implications of mental and behavioral health
• And I noticed in the analysis of this bill under the government sector impact that, at the time of authoring
• the analysis, DMS, the Department of Health, the Board of Governors, the Association of Post-Secondary

Summary: The committee first confirmed Heather L. Turnbull to the Florida Commission on Community Service without debate. It then took up SPB 7022, which sets Florida Retirement System employer contribution rates beginning July 1, 2025, updates rates to address unfunded liability, and preserves the 3% employee contribution rate. Senator Fine said the bill would increase FRS Trust Fund revenue by about $310 million annually and also gives certain elected officers an option related to DROP accumulations. An amendment was adopted, the bill was submitted as a committee bill, and it was reported favorably. The committee then heard SB 1710, a bill by Senator DeSantis/DeSigley to prohibit state agencies, vendors, and grant recipients from using state funds for DEI-related policies, trainings, and programs, and to impose related restrictions on medical institutions of higher education. Senator Polsky and others questioned the bill’s broad and vague language, its effect on health-related work, public-facing agency positions, private contractors, and medical school admissions. The sponsor said the bill was intended to stop DEI from influencing state agencies and that the medical-school portion would likely be amended out later. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, with speakers arguing the bill would harm health care, education, access, and minority communities; a few supporters said DEI is ideological and should be removed from government and public institutions. After debate, the bill was reported favorably on a party-line style vote, with Senator Errington voting no. The committee then began SB 1678, relating to entities that boycott Israel, with a delete-all amendment. Senator Leak said the bill would expand Florida’s anti-BDS framework to cover nonprofits, foreign educational institutions, foreign government funds, academic boycotts, political subdivisions, and certain grants, while the amendment aligned the bill with existing law and clarified procurement and divestment provisions. Testimony included support from proponents who said Florida should not do business with entities engaged in boycotts of Israel, and opposition from speakers who argued the bill would restrict academic freedom and conscience. Debate continued as the transcript ended, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.