Transcript Highlights:

• House companion and refocuses the school teacher training and mentoring program on campuses with the greatest
• House Companion and refocuses the school teacher training and mentoring program on campuses with the greatest

Bills: S0182, S1318, S1690

Keywords: education, Florida schools, charter schools, private schools, school choice, Florida Tax Credit Scholarship, FTC scholarship, scholarship accounts, fund reversion, public school curriculum, cursive writing, handwriting, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, patriotic programs, In God We Trust, teacher mentoring, teacher training, new teacher support, classroom management

Summary: The Senate Education Pre-K through 12 Committee considered three bills and reported all of them favorably. SB 1318 by Senator Rodriguez made a technical clarification to the Florida tax credit scholarship program so that when a scholarship account is closed, any remaining funds revert but do not revert to the state. The bill was taken up without debate and passed on a favorable roll call vote. The committee then heard CS for SB 1690 by Senator Calatayud on child care and early learning services. The bill updates child care laws, improves transparency and accountability, clarifies terminology, and aims to avoid over-regulating before- and after-school programs. The committee adopted an amendment clarifying rulemaking authority, shifting it to the State Board of Education. Senator Berman questioned a provision related to information on leaving children in vehicles, and Senator Calatayud said she would follow up. The committee then voted the bill favorably. Finally, the committee considered CS for SB 182 by Senator Jones on school teacher training and mentoring programs. A strike-all amendment aligned the bill with the House companion, limited mentor placements to D- and F-rated schools, expanded participation to districts and charter schools, tightened mentor qualifications, authorized stipends up to $3,000, and allowed use of educational enrichment funds. The amendment was adopted, supportive appearance forms were waived in, and the bill was reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, members recognized committee staff and applauded Kathy Missouri for her last committee meeting, and senators later recorded additional affirmative votes before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The greatest revelation that we could ever have is that you love us, and the greatest mystery is how
• Senators, members before you is Senate Bill 2500, the General Appropriations Bill for the 2026-2027 fiscal
• It's actually the largest general revenue swath in the budget, for a fun fact.
• In the back of the bill, there is $691 million from the general revenue fund that reverts back.
• million from the general revenue fund that reverts back to the EASE program.

Summary: The Senate took up the 2026-2027 budget package, beginning with an overview of the $115 billion General Appropriations Bill (SB 2500/HB 500). Appropriations Chair Hooper said the budget is smaller than last year’s, maintains strong reserves, and includes a 3% pay raise for all state employees and 5% raises for state law enforcement, firefighters, correctional officers, and park rangers. Committee chairs then highlighted major spending in their areas, including $34.9 billion for Pre-K-12 education, $11.9 billion for higher education, a $2.1 billion-plus increase in health and human services, $7.9 billion for criminal and civil justice, $16.8 billion for transportation/tourism/economic development, and major environmental and regulatory investments such as Everglades restoration, water quality, and land acquisition. Members asked detailed questions about several items. Topics included the Emergency Management Trust Fund, arts and cultural grants, Florida Forever land acquisition versus conservation easements, teacher salaries and charter school funding, New College funding, ADAP/HIV drug assistance, Medicaid rate reductions for non-critical access hospitals, DOC operational deficits and inmate health/food costs, judicial staffing, and school enrollment supplements. Chairs explained that some reductions reflected shifts in how scholarship and categorical funds are tracked, that the ADAP appropriation would take effect immediately upon enactment but would only cover part of the year, and that hospital reductions were tied to a broader DPP funding increase. Questions also covered lottery staffing, concealed carry licensing workload, and whether vacant positions were being eliminated as part of budget right-sizing. After the budget discussion, the Senate substituted House bills for the Senate budget bills and adopted amendments placing the Senate language onto the House vehicles. The chamber then passed HB 500, HB 503, and HB 5201, and agreed to conference on each. It also passed SB 7028/HB 5205 on retirement, SB 2506 on fuel taxes, SB 2508 on the state agency law enforcement radio system, SB 2510/HB 5401 on court trust funds, SB 2512 on judgeships, SB 2514 on K-12 education, SB 2516 on higher education, and SB 2518 on health, with each bill passing by unanimous or near-unanimous votes and then being sent to conference or requested of the House for concurrence.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also wanted to drive distinction in terms of NDSU in general.
• One is, I say, man, it was the greatest thing in the world. This is what I want to do.
• Generally, there are no students enrolled in those programs.
• They want to have the latest and greatest.
• But it's generally a way of getting there.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• President, a basic overview of the General Appropriations Act. Thank you, Chair Hooper.
• President, a basic overview of the General Appropriations Act. Thank you, Chair Hooper.
• revenue or coming from general revenue.
• General revenue is estimated to be reduced by $89 million in fiscal year 2006-2007.
• Recurring general revenue is expected to be reduced by $16 million.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, technology perhaps not my greatest strong suit, but my name is Anne Puckett.
• strong suit, but uh my name is greatest strong suit, but uh my name is Anne<00:05:14.960> Pucket.
• They could use general funds to support all of the four-year-olds in their area.
• The funding for preschool programs in Kentucky is provided by the General Assembly during each budget
• the state of Kentucky with the greatest the state of Kentucky with the greatest return<00:49:49.359

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call – 0:00:04 Approval of Minutes – 0:03:57 United Way of Southern Kentucky –0:04:30 Preschool Education – 0:36:46 School Safety Updates – 1:01:41 Kentucky Association of School Superintendents – 1:41:47 Educational Cooperatives – 1:55:18 Adjournment – 2:07:37, 958, all

Summary: The committee opened its sixth meeting of the 2025 Interim Joint Committee on Education, confirmed a quorum, recorded attendance votes, and approved the minutes. Chair Lewis reminded presenters to keep remarks brief because of the full agenda and limited time. The first presentation was from United Way of Southern Kentucky, with Anne Puckett, Craig Browning, and Warren County Schools Superintendent Rob Clayton introducing a regional early childhood initiative. The presenters argued that kindergarten readiness and early childhood support are critical to later academic and life outcomes. They cited research and statistics about brain development in the first five years, the effects of unprepared kindergarten entry, and links between low literacy, school discipline, dropout rates, and incarceration. They said their region’s readiness scores fell during COVID and after a tornado, and that the most effective response was in-home parent education to help families support children from birth to age five. They described the model as voluntary, community-based, and not requiring new buildings, and said similar programs have been successful in Missouri. The group said it had already raised more than $1 million in private donations and committed three years of funding for four additional staff, expanding service in Allen, Logan, and Warren counties. They requested $600,000 per year for the next two-year budget cycle to add 12 more educators, serve about 360 families and 660 additional children, and build evidence for a possible statewide model. Members generally expressed support for the concept, with Representative Tipton and Representative Jackson discussing a prior home-based preschool pilot and the importance of starting early. Representative Calloway questioned whether increased family chaos and government involvement justified the approach; presenters responded that the program uses community educators, not a government-run organization, and is aimed at helping overwhelmed families. Representative Stalker asked about eligibility and early intervention, and presenters said the program serves children from birth to age five and can help identify needs early enough to connect families with services such as First Steps.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a first-generation college student.
• Greatest country in the world, I'll tell you that.
• I was appointed in 2023 by our Surgeon General in April.
• By way of quick background, I am Deputy General Counsel for General Dynamics, ordnance and tactical systems
• Prior to joining General Dynamics, I practiced...

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to consider a large slate of confirmations and reappointments to boards of trustees for Florida’s colleges, universities, and the Florida Prepaid College Board. Chair Harrell opened by emphasizing the importance of trustee appointments to maintaining Florida’s higher education system, and the committee heard brief testimony from each nominee about their background, ties to the institution, and priorities such as student success, workforce alignment, fiscal stewardship, and community partnerships. Several nominees highlighted personal connections to their schools, including alumni status, family legacy, or prior service on the board, while others emphasized experience in business, law, education, health care, or public service. Testimony focused heavily on workforce development and institutional growth. Speakers cited nursing, dual enrollment, applied programs, military and veteran support, broadband access, agriculture, law enforcement, and technical training as key areas for colleges to meet regional labor needs. University nominees discussed research expansion, affordability, strategic planning, and partnerships with industry and government, with Florida Atlantic, Florida Polytechnic, the University of West Florida, and the University of South Florida each described as being in periods of growth or transition. Miami-Dade College, Tallahassee State College, Polk State College, and other state colleges were praised for enrollment, economic impact, and job placement outcomes. The committee also heard from the Florida Prepaid College Board reappointee, who described the program as a long-term promise backed by public trust and reported recent technology and customer-service improvements. After testimony, the committee took up the nominations as a group. One nominee, Drew Weatherford, had withdrawn and was not voted on. The remaining trustees were approved unanimously by roll call and reported favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seabberger, we'd appreciate it if you'd go through the bill section by section and then you may make your general
• Is, uh, we might generate less tax for the state of Minnesota just simply because of the products that
• This increase directly impacts individuals who have the greatest flexibility to relocate, taking their
• have the greatest flexibility to relocate,<01:21:46.480> taking<01:21:46.719> their<01
• with them and then their tax generation with them and then the<01:33:02.880> corporate<01:33:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• interim problems regarding the operation of state government to appropriate interim committees of the General
• departments. problems regarding the operation of state government to appropriate interim committees of the General
• with legislative intent and being administered in such manner as to provide the taxpayer with the greatest
• Number six, make such reports and recommendations to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Legislative
• Recommendations to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Legislative Council, as the JPR Committee

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As the world's greatest public health risk, hunger affects all of us in one way or another. who was a
• Senate Bill 1, introduced by Senator George Muñoz (member_10928) and others, an act relating to general
• Assistance program benefits, reverting certain balances from certain general fund appropriations.
• Providing for transfers from the General Fund Operating Reserve to the Appropriation Contingency Fund
• and the Medicaid Trust Fund, providing a transfer authority if revenue and transfers to the General

Transcript Highlights:

• That's just how we're set up generally. Um, I wanted to real quickly go through...
• It was the greatest year ever for the highest employment numbers.
• So Austin and I decided we'd start doing this, and Jason Hawk, who's my general counsel, reviews every
• If you see me running around on the floor, that's generally what I'm talking to members about.
• A general thing that I say is I just want the taxpayers to know that we are out there and we are behind

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• from land that is currently generated from land that is currently producing<00:11:51.240> none.
• The zoo and conservatory also generates The zoo and conservatory also generates roughly<00:31:37.040
• Um, I serve as the general manager for St.
• <01:03:15.280> impact, where we can have the greatest impact, where we can have the greatest
• <01:04:59.480> an private development that generates an private development that generates

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll see that there's a general trend from 2021 to 2023 of an overall decrease in policies.
• And for commercial properties as well, generally they have stronger setup to weather.
• And for commercial properties as well, generally they have stronger setup to weather.
• But we cannot generalize to the larger Washington population from these results.
• And urban areas generally drive it, but that might just be density.

Summary: The committee heard a work session on earthquake insurance, beginning with background from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner. OIC staff explained that earthquake and earth movement are generally excluded from standard property policies, that earthquake coverage is usually purchased through endorsements or standalone policies with high deductibles and relatively high premiums, and that surplus lines are a limited backstop market not covered by the state guarantee fund. They also described parametric insurance and captive insurance as more specialized products generally suited to commercial or governmental buyers rather than ordinary consumers. A second panel of insurance and banking experts focused on commercial earthquake exposure, especially for older buildings, collateralized loans, and potential knock-on effects to banks and consumers if a major quake caused widespread damage. Members asked about consumer impacts, mitigation incentives, inventories of vulnerable buildings, and whether legislation such as prior work on unreinforced masonry could help reduce risk. The Washington Bankers Association said earthquake insurance is expensive and that affordability is a major concern, while also noting banks participate in disaster-recovery planning and would be affected by major regional losses. No votes or formal actions were taken. The committee then received a presentation from the Washington State Institute for Public Policy on its cannabis and Initiative 502 research. WSIPP staff described the agency as a nonpartisan research institute that conducts legislative-directed studies and explained that its long-term I-502 assignment includes periodic reports leading to a final benefit-cost evaluation in 2032. Staff summarized findings from a 2023 report showing that cannabis possession convictions fell sharply after legalization, though some racial disproportionalities persisted, and that closer retail access was associated with higher reported adult cannabis use, more fatal traffic crashes involving drivers from nearby areas, and higher rates of cannabis use disorder diagnoses among Medicaid enrollees. A 2023 youth-focused report found that students attending schools near retailers were more likely to report cannabis use, had more unexcused absences, and were less likely to graduate on time. In the newest 2025 Medicaid study, staff said retail access was associated with higher probabilities of cannabis use disorder diagnoses, related hospitalizations, inpatient treatment, and co-occurring mental health diagnoses, with event-study analysis suggesting the increases appeared after retailers opened rather than before. Members asked about racial disproportionality, the meaning of cannabis use disorder diagnoses, THC and impairment, whether the findings reflected medical versus recreational use, and how the results should be interpreted in light of broader trends and data limitations. No formal committee action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that fee schedule is much higher than what anyone else generally gets in the marketplace, but it's
• to be operating... ...allow the preemption related to setbacks in general to be operative.
• Chair, members, House Bill 2620 appropriates $300,000 from the State General Fund in each of the next
• General Greg Maxon from the AOC was a great help at the time.
• Chair Livingston: Well, maybe it wasn't the greatest idea I'll ask you for a vote.

Bills: HB2211, HB2229, HB2389, HB2403, HB2445, HB2502, HB2620, HB2813, HB2872, HB2889, HB2960, HB4028, HCR2007

Keywords: contractors, subcontractors, resident preference, public contracts, materials supply, Arizona Revised Statutes, local businesses, pregnancy resource center, pregnancy center, crisis pregnancy center, DHS, Arizona Department of Health Services, state appropriation, general fund, nonprofit grant, women's health, maternal health, reproductive health, abortion funding, pro-life

Summary: The committee first took up HB 2211 only for discussion, not a vote. The strike-everything amendment would make it unprofessional conduct for certain health care licensees to submit an independent dispute resolution offer above 300% of Medicare or 300% of the qualified payment amount. The chair said he wanted more stakeholder meetings and broader consensus before moving the bill. Testimony was split: an ARMA representative opposed the measure, arguing it reflected insurer concerns, QPA data lacked transparency, and licensing discipline was the wrong tool for billing disputes; a Blue Cross Blue Shield representative supported it, saying a small number of private equity-backed providers were driving up surprise-billing costs and abusing the No Surprises Act. No action was taken on HB 2211. The committee then considered HB 4028 on accessory dwelling units. The bill would remove the 1,000-square-foot cap as an absolute limit, change setback rules, bar municipalities from requiring an administrative use permit and certain elevation criteria, and extend the deadline for cities to adopt ADU regulations. Rep. Kyle Powell said the bill was meant to give homeowners more flexibility and help address housing shortages. Supporters framed it as a property-rights and housing issue, while opponents from neighborhood and city groups warned it would allow oversized ADUs, increase density, create safety and parking concerns, and weaken local zoning control. After extensive debate, the committee voted 8-9 with one present, and HB 4028 failed. The committee next passed HB 2620, as amended, by a 17-0 vote with one member not voting. The bill appropriates $300,000 per year for five years to the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services for grants to emergency shelters serving veterans. An amendment removed age and non-congregate-setting limits for eligible shelters. Rep. Blackman said the bill was intended to help homeless veterans, and shelter advocate Nathan Smith supported it, saying targeted resources could help veterans exit homelessness and stay housed. The committee then took up HB 2960, which would create a veterans specialty court grant program. The bill was amended to have the Office of the Courts administer the fund and to allow support for expansion of existing veterans courts. Testimony highlighted the success of the Lake Havasu veterans court and the need for more standardized programs and data collection; the transcript cuts off before the final vote on HB 2960.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have this idea of this kind of generic student in Texas, but But if we're being honest, that generic
• It's just generating a big pot of money to go over and do services for other students, not the ones generating
• And so the enhanced version it sort of speaks to that in a general way.
• I think that we should be directing the funding towards where the greatest need is.
• Because the resource campus generates over $1,000.

Bills: HB2, HB2

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace

Transcript Highlights:

• Before you is the conference report on House Bill 501E, the General Appropriations Bill for the 2026-
• President, a basic overview of the General Appropriations Act. Thank you, Chair Hooper.
• revenue or coming from general revenue.
• General revenue is estimated to be reduced by $89 million in fiscal year 2006 through 2007.
• Recurring general revenue is expected to be reduced by $16 million.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2023 alone, more than 36 million visitors generated over $5 billion in economic revenue.
• And honoring the legacy we leave for future generations.
• Landscapes for current and future generations.
• I Worry about a generation from now whether that next generation will be able to have as informed a discussion
• But this is perhaps something that could generate bipartisan consensus in the next year.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I also note that our next Attorney General, Pam Bondi, is joining us.
• Let me turn now to the question of the Inspector General situation.
• empowering our inspector general to fulfill their responsibility.
• That would be for you all to decide and for the Attorney General to weigh in on.
• One of the greatest challenges is knowing who's telling us the truth.

Transcript Highlights:

• substantial reduction in recidivism in driving while drunk, are the ones who have committed the greatest
• substantial reduction in recidivism in driving while drunk, are the ones who have committed the greatest
• substantial reduction in recidivism in driving while drunk, are the ones who have committed the greatest
• Um, but I I though that's my general thought.
• but I I though that's my general but I I though that's my general thought.<00:49:01.440> I

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• By the way, he's a UNH grad and I think fourth- or fifth-generation UNH grad.
• 09.200> fifth gradu and and I think fourth or fifth gradu and and I think fourth or fifth generation
• <00:13:11.279> So<00:13:11.440> my<00:13:11.680> grandfather's generation UNH
• So my grandfather's generation UNH grad.
• And um and the with the greatest needs.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Funding Committee met to consider eight bills, beginning with HB 443 on the terms of appointment for members of the Higher Education Commission. Department of Education Director Steve Applebee explained that the commission supported a language change to address a holdover issue, but members raised concerns that the bill did not solve the problem of inactive members and might not address the broader question of whether the commission should continue to exist. The committee agreed to retain HB 443 for further work and voted 18-0 to do so. The committee then voted on HB 137, which would allocate excess statewide education property tax funds for local school and municipal purposes. Supporters of ITL argued that using the statewide property tax to reduce the state’s school funding obligation could create a slippery slope and shift more burden to property taxpayers. The committee voted 15-3 to ITL the bill, with a minority report to be written. HB 237, which would prohibit the use of special education and differentiated aid funds on students not receiving special education services, was also ITL’d after members said federal law already governs how IDEA-related funds may be used and that the bill was unnecessary. That motion passed 16-0, with some members not voting because they were out for medical reasons. The committee next advanced HB 354, creating alternative certification pathways for career and technical education instructors. Members said the bill could help recruit qualified tradespeople and retirees to teach in CTE programs, and it was approved 18-0 and placed on the consent calendar. HB 491, establishing a committee to study alternative public education funding methods and reduce reliance on local property taxes, was retained for further study after members said the committee or a subcommittee could continue the work over the year; it passed 18-0. HB 656, concerning local school districts’ authority to accept federal grants, was also retained after discussion focused on transparency, grant conditions, and the need to avoid delays in services; it passed 18-0. The committee then moved on to HB 729, an appropriation for an attorney to recodify education laws, but the transcript cuts off before that bill was acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• You could certainly ask the Attorney General for that. Okay. But there's follow-up.
• What do you believe to be, generally speaking, not holding you to a number?
• It's just about the whole general thing.
• It generates about $15 million a year for Florida universities, mostly.
• Let's make sure the next generation has that same opportunity.

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee met to hear SB 2-C, a major immigration enforcement bill sponsored by Senator Gruters and co-introduced by Senator Fine. The sponsor described the bill as a response to federal immigration priorities and said it replaces a single immigration officer with a State Board of Immigration Enforcement, expands local-federal cooperation, increases penalties for crimes committed by unauthorized immigrants, requires detention in certain cases, broadens information sharing, funds detention-bed expansion and law-enforcement training, and ends in-state tuition waivers for undocumented students. The bill also includes provisions related to sanctuary policies, voter fraud, transport of unauthorized aliens, and driver’s license-related offenses. The sponsor said the bill appropriates roughly $300 million overall, including $250 million for grants and $48 million for the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for interdiction and border-related enforcement work. Committee members questioned the bill’s scope, costs, and implementation. Senators focused heavily on the tuition-waiver repeal, asking how many students would be affected and whether the bill would harm students who have long lived in Florida. They also pressed on whether the bill should include stronger E-Verify provisions, how sanctuary-policy enforcement would work, whether local officials could be penalized for policy choices, and how immigration status would be verified in court and jail settings. The sponsor and Senator Fine said the tuition waiver would be removed for undocumented students, that the bill does not address E-Verify, and that the measure is intended to make immigration status a factor in detention and sentencing. Questions also addressed detention-bed capacity, reimbursement rates, and whether corrections staff would receive bonuses or salary increases; sponsors said bonuses are included for participating law enforcement, while broader salary issues would be handled in the regular budget process. Public testimony was sharply divided. Supporters and information-only witnesses, including Sheriff Bob Gualtieri and former officials, said the bill would help Florida coordinate with federal authorities, expand bed space, and close loopholes in existing immigration enforcement. Opponents from the Southern Poverty Law Center, ACLU of Florida, Florida Policy Institute, labor groups, and immigrant advocates argued the bill is unconstitutional, likely to trigger litigation, and harmful to families, schools, and the economy. They warned that the pretrial detention provisions could lead to wrongful detentions and that the tuition changes would reduce access to higher education and cost the state tuition revenue. No final vote is reflected in the transcript excerpt, but the committee continued through public comment and extended the meeting to complete the agenda.